One of the first things one needs when planning a vacation is a good hotel for a good price. One will be spending enough money to not have to blow the bank on costs for hotels. Your hotel is home for the duration of your trip. With so many different types of hotels, for so many different prices, a person can get easily confused as to what they will see upon arrival. Different types of trips may warrant different types of hotels. Hotels are rated using a system from one to five stars with one generally being the cheapest with the least amenities.
A good place to start looking for hotels is the Internet. With the rate at which the Internet is growing, the majority of hotels now can be found somewhere online. Just be wary booking hotels over the Internet. Always make sure you call to confirm your booking; you do not want to get there to find they never got your reservation and there are no vacancies. Also be cautious of pictures you see online. Unfortunately, everything on a hotel Web site may not be accurate — if a place seems too good to be true, it may be. Another way to find hotels is a travel agent, but if you are willing to thoroughly do the research, you should be able to find one on your own without having to go through a travel agent. It is also a good idea to ask friends or co-workers who have either traveled to the same destination or know someone who has. They may know of a good hotel you would never have otherwise considered.
One and Two Star Hotels:
These are the cheapest hotels and have few comforts to offer a traveler. Despite their usual lack of frills, if you are not planning to spend much time in your hotel room and need to save some money, these are a good place to start. These hotels are most popular with those on a tight budget or student travelers with limited funds. They are usually good for a place to sleep but not really to dwell it in your room. Bringing a pair of flip-lops for the shower may also not be a bad idea — just in case.
Three Star Hotels:
Three star hotels are usually a good bet for those looking for amenities but not luxury. Prices are usually in the middle range and they may not have all the comforts of home, but enough to get by. Three star hotels are a good bet for families because of their reasonable rates and higher level of amenities than one or two star hotels. You can often find good deals for these hotels online.
Four and Five Star Hotels:
Four and five star hotels are the top in luxury. Names such as the Hilton and The Ritz-Carlton may come to mind. These hotels are not for the budget traveler and one will be hard pressed to find online discounts for these places. Many of these hotels will take care of everything for you and make you feel at home. These are suggested only for those who have some extra cash and want to spend their money pampering themselves.
Hostels:
Another travel option is hostels. Hostels seem to be more popular in Europe than the U.S. They are a cheap accommodation and are usually frequented by students and backpackers, but welcome families or anyone else as well. They consist of many different types of rooms, from singles and doubles to triples or dorm style rooms with four to ten or more people. These are good for large groups who can get a large dorm room to themselves. Hostels are generally the cheapest type of accommodation with many not offering private bathrooms even. The rooms contain the bare minimum, just some bunk-beds, usually. Most contain common rooms where guests can meet, and some include communal kitchens. Hostels are not the best bets for families when compared to hotels, but are a good option for backpackers and students looking for the cheapest stay possible. Online booking is the most common way to get a room. Again, bringing a pair of flip-flops is strongly recommended.
Ratings for hotels help the traveler to see what type of hotels they are searching when they cannot see the hotels themselves. Yet keep in mind, ratings are just a loose guide and are not always accurate. Some two star hotels may be nicer than a three star and vice-versa. If you are unsure and do not have time to do the research, your best bet is to stick to a brand name hotel such as the Holiday Inn where you can be more sure of what you are going to get.
By Lauren Culliton