When looking for the best option to book a hotel room or an Airbnb, the main priority is often finding a low price, but there are other factors to consider. You might focus on cleaning fees, dynamic pricing, and cancellation policies, but you also need to evaluate your own behavior as discussed on Reddit. People often make mistakes that lead to self-sabotage, such as the actions they take when booking a room. These are the hotel booking mistakes you should never do!
Never Book Before Checking the Total Price
The total price shown in the app or in the rate sent by the hotel may differ from the initial price you saw. Cleaning fees, hotel fees, parking charges, and taxes can drastically alter the total cost. Avoid this hotel booking mistakes and unpleasant surprises, compare total prices and keep an eye out for Wi-Fi fees and additional charges; opting for the cheapest rooms can end up costing more than expected. Reddit user Informal-Two-4179 commented: “The hotel booking engine chooses to show me the average room price per night. It’s such an unhelpful and anti-guest way to display a price.”
Never Skip Reading the Most Recent Reviews
Hotels and Airbnbs can undergo various changes, ranging from maintenance and renovations to staff turnover, so you should always look for the most recent reviews on the place you want to book. Older reviews, whether positive or negative, matter little. Instead, looking at recent reviews helps you avoid hotel booking mistakes by spotting trends regarding cleanliness or recurring noise complaints. Reddit user ladystetson remarked: “A 4.0 to 4.5 rating on Google Reviews, that would be average to acceptable and means that there are not critical problems that impact the guests’ stay in that hotel.”
Never Assume the Neighborhood Is Convenient
When booking a hotel, consider checking the neighborhood to prevent common hotel booking mistakes. The rate might be low, but it is a downside if you have to spend a lot of money and time on transportation because it is far from the tourist attractions you want to visit. Likewise, check if there are grocery stores or restaurants nearby and what their prices are like. Reddit user AfroManHighGuy opined: “I look on TripAdvisor for nearby hotels in the neighborhood you want to stay in, and the reviews will usually say how safe or convenient it is.”
Never Ignore the Cancellation Policy
When focusing on the cheapest rates, you might overlook the fact that you are agreeing to a non-refundable booking, so you should verify the cancellation policy. The best option is to choose a room with flexible check-in and check-out dates. The weather might not cooperate or your flight might be delayed, leading you to change your plans. That way, you won’t lose money and avoid one of the hotel booking mistakes. Reddit user jerediahdavis noted: “Read your cancellation policy before purchasing. It is worth paying a higher rate that is refundable if your plans aren’t set.”
Never Assume “Free Parking” Exists
In some cities, parking can cost anywhere from $20 to $70 per night, so hotels right in the city center will likely have this additional charge. Do not assume the property offers free parking; check it before to avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. If they do charge a nightly fee, compare it with the cost of parking in a nearby garage. Reddit user electricfunghi expressed: “I usually book hotels with street parking because I’m not paying $50 extra. Also avoid hotels where street parking isn’t convenient.”
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Never Book Without Looking at Guest Photos
Photos taken by previous guests offer a more objective and realistic view of the room you are about to book. You shouldn’t rely too heavily on the images published by the establishment itself, as they will try to present the version of reality they want you to see. Instead, looking at guest photos allows you to avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes and see the quality of the bed, the cleanliness of the bathroom, and the view from the window. Reddit user messiahwannabe revealed: “It’s never a bad idea to check the user photos on TripAdvisor, just to see what you’re really in for once you check in.”
Never Book an Airbnb Without Reading the House Rules
Don’t take certain situations for granted, such as what you can or cannot do in an Airbnb without first reading the house rules. Some properties have extensive checkout requirements; if an extra security deposit is mentioned upfront, or if you fail to follow a rule, you could even end up paying a fine. You can discuss restrictions and get agreements in writing beforehand, but once you accept the rules, you are required to comply with them. Reddit user DuckFat24 explained: “The rules are there, you’ll have to read rental contracts, employment agreements, sales agreements before signing and agreeing to terms.”
Never Forget to Compare Booking Directly with the Hotel
A hotel room rate might look reasonable on an app, but there is no harm in calling the hotel directly to confirm the price and avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. Staff might offer you a lower rate or include extras, such as breakfast, parking, or an upgrade, if you book with them directly. You can also request flexible booking dates or other perks that aren’t available through the app. In the worst-case scenario, if the app’s price still works out better, you can simply take that route. Reddit user SnarkyVamp revealed: “I highly recommend calling the hotel directly to compare prices. Sometimes, depending on our availability, we can price match.”
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Never Assume “Breakfast Included” Means a Full Breakfast
Hotel breakfasts can vary widely, so do not assume that “breakfast included” means a full meal; you might have high expectations for a spread that turns out to be nothing more than a light snack. Ask what kind of breakfast is served, check if there is an extra charge, and compare it with nearby restaurants so you avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. Reddit user [borrado] revealed: “The host decides on the breakfast themselves, there’s no defined breakfast. You can call a coffee and tea a breakfast.”
Never Wait Too Long During Major Events
Booking a hotel room during a major event is among the most expensive hotel booking mistakes, whether at the hotel itself or elsewhere in the city, can result in staff running out of supplies for guests, increased costs, and a busier-than-usual team that takes longer to attend to your needs. Reddit user Chance-Business commented: “If there’s a convention nearby, I would get a cheap hotel much further from it because I would have problems driving a car.”
Never Ignore Resort Fees
Resort fees can be frustrating for travelers because you might end up paying for amenities you have no intention of using, and they affect the total cost of the reservations. To avoid one of these this hotel booking mistakes you should ask what is included in the fee and whether any charges can be waived, for instance, if you won’t be using the sauna due to heat sensitivity or any other reason. Reddit user tams420 opined: “Some resort fees are extra infuriating at hotels that have no amenities to speak of, in the middle of the city with zero people attending to areas.”
Never Assume Every Airbnb Is Cheaper Than a Hotel
The rise in service fees, cleaning charges, and other add-ons on Airbnb means that prices aren’t always lower than those of hotels. Compare nightly rates and call the hotel to ask if they can offer a lower price to avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. If they have plenty of rooms available, they might be willing to go below the rate listed online. Reddit user Usual_Confidence_756 revealed: “I used to book on Airbnb because it felt cheaper but now between a $150 cleaning fee where they still ask you to take out the trash and the inconsistent quality, I find myself just looking for a hotel.”
Never Forget to Check for Construction Nearby
Hotels don’t usually warn guests, and they aren’t required to disclose, if they are undergoing internal renovations or if a neighboring building is under construction and causing significant noise on the premises. You should check Google Maps or the most recent reviews for any complaints to avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. Even something as simple as sidewalk repairs nearby could ruin the relaxing days you have planned. Reddit user Modred_the_Mystic opined: “If the noise is not related to the hotel, unlikely they can do anything except maybe move you to another room.”
Never Book Based Solely on Star Ratings
Don’t book a hotel solely based on its star rating, avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. A well-located three-star hotel can be better than an older four-star hotel. Star ratings refer to the establishment’s amenities, not necessarily to guest satisfaction. You need to consider what you want to use and what makes the hotel valuable to you, rather than focusing on what others consider luxury. Reddit user Glittering_Bid1112 noted: “Sometimes, people will bash a place and complain a lot but still give the property a 9 on the review.”
Never Forget to Check Resort Amenities Before Paying More
It is not unusual for travelers to pay for resort amenities they will never use. Always make sure to check what amenities a hotel offers before paying extra, from pools and golf courses to kids’ areas, spas, beach equipment and also the food in the room. Ask yourself if the added cost is worth it for your vacation because paying for unused amenities is one of many hotel booking mistakes. Reddit user moxac777 explained: “Hotels usually give you a piece of paper in the room listing the prices or you can always call the front desk.”
Never Assume the Cheapest Option Is the Best Value
The cheapest option isn’t always the best in terms of the value you receive. It often happens that by saving a few dozen dollars on a hotel, you end up paying the difference, or more, on transportation, parking, or meals because the hotel is in an inconvenient location. Choose your hotel based on where you are going or what you plan to do, sometimes prioritizing location over cost is a way to avoid one of these hotel booking mistakes. Reddit user lucapal1 revealed: “My personal opinion is that I choose location over the price, because you don’t spend much time in the room if you’re on vacation.”
Conclusion
Given all these factors, and while everyone naturally wants to pay less for the services they receive, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one. You need to know what you want in order to appreciate the value these hotels offer. Pay attention to the location and the company’s policies, and try to avoid frustrations like the fees we mentioned. Avoid these hotel booking mistakes by planning ahead so you don’t face any surprises while you’re trying to relax.
