If you’re embarking on a global adventure, beginning a life of nomadism, or simply seeking the finest lodging deal for your holiday, shopping around can significantly impact your nightly expenses. During a road trip, you’ll aim to find the most affordable motels that offer cleanliness and comfort. For trips to international cities, look for budget-friendly hotels located conveniently for sightseeing. Backpackers may prefer guesthouses and hostels where they can connect with fellow travelers.
The approach to searching for hotel rooms may differ based on your destination and budget; however, investing a little more time researching can be very worthwhile.
I’m fully in support of renting an apartment when I’ll be staying in one location for an extended period. Nevertheless, there are numerous instances when you’re merely passing through, and a hotel room becomes the more suitable option. Additionally, while an apartment rental is practical if you require a kitchen or are traveling with family, often it is more economical and convenient to book a hotel where you won’t need to manage key exchanges, baggage storage upon early arrival, or tidying up before departing.
If you have ample funds or your employer is covering costs, you may not need to be overly cautious about hotel prices during your travels. However, when you’re working with a tight personal budget, making the right strategic choices can lead to more affordable hotel options. This allows for increased expenditure on other components of your trip.
I reserve my hotel rooms, which I pay for, approximately every month or two during my journeys, particularly when I’m in transit and will only stay in a specific location for a night or two. I’ve picked up numerous techniques for discovering the least expensive motels where I would actually be willing to sleep, as well as budget-friendly rooms in various cities around the globe during nearly all my travels.
A common mistake made by many infrequent American tourists is the assumption that the rest of the world operates similarly to the USA, where chain hotels and motels are prevalent. In regions like Asia, Latin America, and Europe, there are many independent hotels and resorts, along with chains such as B&B HOTELS (https://www.hotel-bb.com/en) that maintain hundreds of reasonably priced hotels across France, Germany, and Italy.
Keep in mind that all cost-saving strategies mentioned below become irrelevant during peak festival weekends, holiday seasons, or simply during high travel periods. If your travel plans lack flexibility and you’ve not kept your options open, there won’t be much you can do to reduce prices. You’ll be paying premium rates by default. Otherwise…
1) Utilize a Hotel Aggregator Service
After Trivago repeatedly advertised on TV for years, it became clear to users that room rates are not consistent across all booking platforms such as Expedia, Priceline, and the official hotel websites. Regardless of how often a company claims you’ll always secure the best price with them, price discrepancies are a regular occurrence across different sites.
While searching, many “options” you encounter are essentially different branches of the same brand. You need to review all of them to make a proper comparison.
I frequently observe price variances between 10-20% while searching on Trivago or HotelsCombined, and at times, these differences can be even more substantial. I once booked a hotel in Mexico where the price on Booking.com was literally half that listed on Hotels.com. Conversely, this might not always hold true. Consistent shopping is essential, and these sites simplify that process. The same hotel can have numerous price points, as evidenced in this screenshot.
I also used to rely on Hotwire frequently; it’s useful when you don’t have a specific hotel in mind and simply want a bargain. This strategy works particularly well for last-minute bookings when hotels are looking to fill vacancies. However, the effectiveness of this service seems to be declining. I’ve secured fantastic deals this way in the past at hotels I wouldn’t have considered at their standard prices, yet the selection now leaves much to be desired in most areas.
Nevertheless, if you’re dealing with a prominent hotel chain, you may have some options. Major hotel groups like Intercontinental Hotels Group and Marriott claim they’ll match a lower price you find elsewhere if theirs is higher. Often, you’ll need to fill out a form to claim the difference.
Sometimes an independent hotel may also honor lower rates found elsewhere, but this requires you to take the initiative to find and speak with a front desk manager or reservations agent. (Refer to the section later on regarding negotiation in person or via phone.)
You’ll often discover that the largest selection for international destinations comes from two entities owned by Priceline. Agoda is typically the top choice for guesthouses and hotels in Asia, while Booking.com offers the most options for Latin America and Europe. Both platforms feature a comprehensive review system.