Hotel room prices have decreased dramatically over the last year, but they’re slowly rising again, which means hunting for the best price is going to be necessary.
When it comes to finding the best hotel deals, though, there are a lot of different tips you can try — we’re here to help you get started.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to save money on hotels.
1. Research
This is the most obvious tip, but also possibly the most time-consuming. Don’t just settle for the first room you’re shown, though. Take some time to compare hotel prices, and see if there’s a 3D tour available for the hotel you’re staying in.
Sometimes, you can even find photos or a 3D tour of the specific room you’re going to be in once you arrive.
Either way, taking time to research is going to help you find not only the best deal but also the hotels in the best part of town. You may even find a new favorite in the process.
2. Start With Apps
Once you’ve looked at some hotels and made a decision on which would be best for you, it’s time to start searching for deals. Hotel booking apps like Trivago or Kayak are great places to start your search for hotel discounts.
These apps often allow you to compare different rates on different hotels, so you can really customize your search, or be as vague as you’d like.
3. Check Directly
While travel booking websites and apps are great places to find a good deal, sometimes calling or checking online with the hotel itself can lead to the best results.
You can start with calling the hotel directly to simply try asking for a deal. You’d be surprised about how far honesty can get you. If you don’t want to simply ask, you can try mentioning the reason you’re traveling — especially if it’s for a special occasion.
Things like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, honeymoons, or first-time visits are always worth mentioning to whoever you talk to. A lot of the time, hotels offer specials for those occasions. You may also just get a nice person that wants to make your trip special.
Whatever method you choose, just remember that it never hurts to ask.
4. Walk Off the Beaten Path
It’s a great idea to take the time of year into account. If you’re going to Florida for a beach trip in the middle of summer, then you’re definitely going to pay more than you would if you went in the middle of December.
If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, then try picking different times of the year.
Walking off the beaten path also brings new opportunities for exploration. You never really know what might happen while you’re traveling, and visiting a new city at a different time of the year is a great way to explore things you otherwise wouldn’t!
5. Try Bundling
Sometimes, when you book your entire trip on one site, you actually have the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars.
Airlines, hotels, and car rental companies will often partner with those travel apps and websites we talked about earlier to offer bundles on things like flight, hotel, and car bundles.
If you don’t need a rental car, you can also usually find offers for just flights and hotels.
6. Travel Without Reservations
No, this tip isn’t going to work for everyone, but it’s definitely worth considering when you’re able.
Waiting until the last minute to book hotel rooms is (sometimes) a great way to find great deals. This tip isn’t going to work during peak travel times, like during the holiday season or if a big event is happening in town, so it’s best left for off-season travel.
During those times, arriving at the hotel early in the day is a great way to ensure that plenty of rooms are available. Sometimes, hotels will even offer same-day booking discounts.
7. Consider All Your Options
Finally, it’s important to remember that hotels are never really your only option. Alternatives like Airbnb or room rental websites can often accommodate larger travel parties or long-term stays.
These alternatives are especially great if you’d like to cook for yourself and need a kitchen, or just a reliable place to store leftovers from your trip. If you’re staying in someone’s home, you’re also likely to have access to a washer and dryer on your trip, meaning you’ll be able to pack lighter.
These alternatives also often come with their own sets of procedures, so it’s important to keep in contact with whoever you book with before you arrive. This is going to help you know check-in times and instructions, like gate codes, directions, and where to find the key whenever you arrive.
Some of these alternatives offer novelty stay options, like tiny homes and structures that look like spaceships, but it’s important to note that they won’t always have the same accommodations or cleaning procedures as hotels would, so that’s something important to keep in mind.
Use These Tips for Finding the Best Hotel Deals
Using these tips is sure to help you in finding the best hotel deals possible, which is going to allow you to enjoy your trip a lot more. By putting a bit of time and effort into your search before booking, you can ensure you get the best possible deal, no matter how much you’re looking to spend.
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