When you plan a vacation, there are only so many flight options to choose from. Booking a hotel, however, can be a much more overwhelming experience.
Big cities, famous beaches and other popular tourist destinations boast a wide variety of accommodations: low-budget chains, quirky boutique hotels and luxury resorts. Even once you decide which vibe is for you, you’ll likely find many choices that match your vision. And there are countless factors to weigh as you select your hotel, room type and more.
“People often underestimate how much the actual hotel experience can add to their trip,” said Angela Marini, a travel agent with Fora. “The hotel is more than just a place to sleep ― it’s a key part of the overall travel experience. Whether it’s enjoying the amenities, relaxing in a comfortable room or soaking in the ambiance, your hotel choice can make or break a trip.”
To guide travelers through the selection process, HuffPost asked Marini and other travel advisers to share the common mistakes people make when booking a hotel — and why they try to avoid these errors.
They don’t choose nonrefundable rates.
“I never book the nonrefundable rate unless I’m 100% sure of my plans,” said Brianna Glenn, CEO and travel adviser at Milk + Honey Travels. “Flexibility is crucial in travel, and plans can change unexpectedly. I prioritize refundable or flexible rates, even if they cost slightly more, to avoid losing money if I need to adjust my stay.”
Even if you have every intention of sticking with your plans, you might deal with unexpected flight delays or cancellations that affect your ability to reach the hotel you booked. If you choose a fully or partially refundable option, you can at least get some of your money back when there’s a last-minute change.
“I never book without checking the cancellation policy,” said Fora travel adviser Ronit Margolis. “I prefer flexibility, especially when travel dates aren’t set in stone. If there is a strict no-cancellation policy, I purchase trip insurance.”
They don’t book without talking to someone at the hotel.
“As a travel expert, I never forgo the opportunity to speak with someone at the hotel when booking a stay for myself,” said Kareem George, founder of Culture Traveler. “I have found this to prevent unpleasant surprises, such as discovering certain amenities are not available, the presence of construction, arriving to find that a large group has taken over much of the property,…
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