Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Define your needs
Step 2:
Consider package deals
Step 3:
Explore other discount options
Step 4:
Read guidebooks
Step 5:
Go online
Step 6:
Call a travel agent

2torial #0809:
Learn2 Shop for a Hotel Room

Get a room!

Need a place to lay your travel-weary head? Don't wait until you arrive at your destination, completely exhausted, to start looking for lodging. Better to begin your search from the comforts of home.

In the past, travelers had two ways to find decent hotels. They could rely on a travel agent, or consult guidebooks or listings from tourist bureaus, then reserve rooms themselves. Both options are still available, but the Internet has dramatically enhanced the process, offering everything from online reservations to virtual tours.

Here's a guide to finding a hotel room the smart way. We'll explain how to shop for bargains, broaden your choices, and avoid surprises.

Traveling on a shoestring budget? It's a great way to go, but finding good, cheap hotels can be a challenge. Why? Because low-end establishments often don't have the time or money to invest in web marketing. And travel agencies rarely list them, since commissions are too small to be worth their while.

So how do you go about finding ultra-cheap accommodations?

1. Invest in a good budget guidebook that's specific to the area you're visiting, then choose several lodging options. Cheap places tend to fill up fast, especially if they've been recommended by a guidebook, so make sure you have a list of backups.

2. Try to book your room over the phone well in advance of your arrival. However, be aware that many low-end places don't accept phone reservations, or can't confirm them because they aren't wired for credit cards. However, you may be able to send a deposit by mail.

3. If you've made reservations well in advance, call closer to your arrival to confirm.

4. Upon arrival, check out your room before you agree to stay the night. You'll want to be sure the place meets your minimum requirements for comfort and cleanliness.

Define your needs

Let's face it, you're not going to find a centrally located hotel with five-star services for a budget price. You're always going to face a trade-off between three factors: price, location, and amenities. If you're clear about your priorities, you're more likely to be satisfied with your final choice.

Price. Decide the maximum amount you're willing to spend on a hotel. Are you trying to stretch your dollars so you can stay on the road as long as possible? Or is this trip all about comfort and luxury? Are the costs coming out of your pocket, or is the company paying the tab? You might consider beginning or ending your trip at a luxury establishment, and spending the rest of the time in more modest digs.

Location. Is the hotel near restaurants, shopping, beaches, and so on? Is it convenient to the activities you've planned? Is public transportation available? How about reasonably priced parking (if you have a car)? Don't get stuck miles from the action, unless that's really what you're looking for.

Amenities. Do you require an in-room Jacuzzi? Or is the simple absence of bedbugs sufficient for your comfort? The more extras you require, the more you're going to pay. But remember, creature comforts can be especially important when nerves are frayed by travel, so consider investing.

Consider package deals

If you're traveling to a popular tourist destination, you can probably save time and money by purchasing a package that combines airfare and accommodations (and perhaps other features, from ski passes to organized tours). If you do buy a package, you'll definitely pay less than if you buy each item separately. However, you'll give up some flexibility, since dates and choice of hotels may be limited. And you may not get your room of choice for the bargain price.

You can find out about package deals in a number of places, including:

• The travel section of your local newspaper
• A trusted travel agent
• Websites devoted to travel
• Websites devoted to specific destinations (for example, a city's official convention and visitors bureau)

Explore other discount options

When it comes to hotel space, discount options abound. It just usually requires a little extra time to hunt them down. Besides pre-arranged package deals, consider the following:

Member discounts. Large organizations such as the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and the Automobile Association of America (AAA) can provide discounts of 20 percent or more. Contact member services for a list of participating establishments. Hotel chains also have membership programs that provide discounts for regular clients.

Frequent flyer programs. Airlines often partner with hotel chains to offer free or discounted rooms in return for accumulated miles. Likewise, a full-price night in a hotel may earn you miles. In addition, airlines regularly offer last-minute discount packages via email. Sign up with your airline of choice to receive regular mailings with discount information.

Online auctions. Many large travel websites make it possible for you to bid on empty rooms. Just indicate your destination of choice, the level of comfort and service you require, and the price you're willing to pay. If a qualifying hotel agrees, your credit card is automatically billed, and the room is yours.

Read guidebooks

If you prefer to book a hotel separately, start by doing a little research on your own. A good guidebook will introduce a range of options, so even if you end up making reservations through a travel agency, you'll be more equipped to evaluate the deal your agent can offer.

Guidebooks also provide more personal reviews, whereas travel agents can generally just provide a checklist of amenities. Finally, guidebooks may lead you to smaller, more interesting local establishments that big booking systems don't handle.

Just make sure you select a guidebook that targets your particular needs, whether you're a backpacker or a creature of comfort. If you do find the ideal hotel using a guidebook, just make a quick call to reserve a room. Again, some smaller places may require you to mail in a deposit.

Go online

The global nature of the Internet makes it a great travel tool. The problem is, the sheer volume of information can be mind-boggling. Here are some tools to make your search as efficient as possible:

Global travel sites. A number of excellent sites are devoted exclusively to travel and can deliver literally thousands of hotel listings for every major city in the world (and lots of minor ones, too). Once you find a site, locate your destination of choice, then look for links to hotel information.

Destination-based sites. You can also search for sites that deal with specific destinations. Generally, a municipal or regional convention and tourist board can provide more or less unbiased listings, plus more detailed information than a global site can. If headed to a popular destination, you'll find a number of public and private web-based city guides. However, make sure you know who's sponsoring the site, or you may be getting just part of the story (i.e. the version that the site's sponsor wants to give).

Individual hotel sites. If you've already made a short list of specific hotels that interest you, see if they have their own website. You may be able to take a digital tour, plus get more detailed information about location, amenities, and so forth.

Call a travel agent

Overwhelmed by the search process? Travel agents can take care of all the legwork, proposing options, securing reservations, even organizing door-to-door ground transportation. In addition, they can generally negotiate prices below the standard rate. They may even be able to offer you especially attractive package deals (see Step 2). And best of all, their services cost the consumer nothing--they make their money from sales commissions.

However, you should avoid relying exclusively on the services of a travel agent. First of all, your options may be limited because agencies generally don't handle truly low-end budget accommodations. In addition, they tend to favor chain hotels over quirky local establishments.

By following these tips, when your head finally does hit the pillow in the hotel room of your choice, you'll be sure to have a good night. Sleep tight!

-end-