If you’re embarking on a global expedition, beginning the nomadic lifestyle, or simply seeking the top lodging deals for your holiday, exploring your options can significantly impact your nightly rates. On a road trip, you’ll want to find the most affordable motels that are both clean and comfortable. For city trips abroad, search for the least expensive accommodations in prime locations for sightseeing. For backpackers, guesthouses and hostels are great choices where you can connect with fellow travelers.
The strategy for locating hotel rooms can differ based on your destination and financial plan, but generally, investing a bit of extra time in research can yield substantial savings.
I am a proponent of renting an apartment when staying in one location for an extended period, yet there are numerous occasions when simply passing through makes a hotel room the most suitable option. Additionally, while renting an apartment can be practical if you require a kitchen or have a family, often it may be more economical and convenient to reserve a hotel where you don’t need to deal with key exchanges, luggage storage upon early arrival, or cleaning up before departure.
If you have more disposable income than you can manage or your employer is covering costs, you’re less likely to be concerned about the price of your hotel accommodations while traveling. However, when expenses come out of your own limited budget, making the right strategic decisions can lead to more affordable hotel options. This equates to additional funds available for other elements of your vacation.
I personally book my hotel accommodations that I finance every month or two during my travels, particularly when I’m en route and will only stay in a specific location for a night or two. Over time, I’ve acquired numerous tips for discovering the least expensive motels I’d actually want to rest in and finding discounted rooms in cities worldwide nearly every time I travel.
A common error that many occasional American travelers commit is assuming that the rest of the globe operates like the U.S., where chain hotels and motels chiefly dominate the market. In regions like Asia, Latin America, and Europe, you’ll find a greater number of independent hotels and resorts, along with chains such as B&B HOTELS (https://www.hotel-bb.com/en) that feature hundreds of reasonably priced accommodations throughout France, Germany, and Italy.
Be aware that the bargain hunting techniques listed below may not apply during peak festival weekends, holiday periods, or peak travel seasons. If your schedule lacks flexibility and you haven’t kept your travel options open, there’s little you can do to lower the rate. You’ll be paying the highest rates by default. Otherwise…
1) Utilize a Hotel Aggregator Service
After Trivago drilled it into our heads with years of television advertisements, individuals have realized that room rates aren’t consistent across various booking platforms like Expedia, Priceline, and official hotel sites. Regardless of how often a company claims you’ll always find the best price with them, there’s a continual variation in pricing across different websites.
When conducting a search, a majority of the so-called “choices” are merely divisions of the same corporate entity. It’s essential to view all of them to make comparisons.
I regularly observe a 10-20% variance when conducting searches on Trivago or HotelsCombined, and at times the differences can be even more pronounced. I once reserved a hotel in Mexico where the price on Booking.com was literally half that of Hotels.com. Conversely, situations could arise where the prices shift in the opposite direction. Always remember to shop around; these platforms simplify the process. The same hotel will appear at various price points, as illustrated in this screenshot.
I also used to frequently check Hotwire, which is useful when you’re not set on a specific hotel and just want a bargain. This approach is particularly effective for last-minute bookings when hotels are attempting to fill their mostly empty high-rises. However, it appears to be on the decline now. I’ve secured fantastic deals this way at hotels I previously would not have considered at the standard price, but the options have diminished in many markets.
There are some options available if you’re dealing with a significant hotel chain. Groups like Intercontinental Hotels Group, Marriott, and others are said to match lower prices found elsewhere if theirs is higher. However, you typically must fill out a form like this to claim the difference.
Occasionally, an independent hotel will honor lower prices available elsewhere, but it requires you to approach a front desk manager or reservations agent and discuss it with them. (Refer to the section below about negotiating in person or by phone.)
You’ll frequently discover that two companies under Priceline tend to offer the widest selection for international locations. Agoda is typically the optimal choice for guesthouses and hotels in Asia, while Booking.com has the most options for Latin America and Europe. These platforms come equipped with a comprehensive review system.