The cost of a hotel can be one of the largest expenses of any vacation. Luckily, you can save a great deal of money on hotel rates by booking a last minute room. By searching online and working closely with travel agents, you can get a very nice hotel room at a fraction of the regular rate. Here’s how to save big on your next hotel booking —
- The internet is your friend. There are some great booking sites and options that can help you book cheap accommodation online, also there are certain sites designed specially for those trying to book a hotel last minute. You are also able to browse hotels online to find one that suits you.
- Shop for truly last minute specials. Hotels strive to fill every room, every night. If you are near the area you wish to visit, check for daily vacancies. Typically, hotels will take as much as 25% off on these daily vacancies, and may offer deeper discounts if you call directly and haggle for price.
- Look at smarter options. While it may be great to stay in an ultra-luxurious hotel that is situated in a lively area, you will be able to find far better rates if you consider a variety of hotels in various locations. When unsure, it’s generally a good idea to choose a hotel that belongs to a chain. A chain name guarantees that you will get a certain level of quality and perks when you stay there. In addition, they are more likely to offer great rate reductions for last-minute rooms.
- Read reviews. When using one of the many online discount booking sites, make sure you don’t take their word for the hotel quality. If a prospect looks promising, take the time to go to a third-party review site and see what other visitors have to say. Yelp and TripAdvisor are both good sources of such reviews. It is also a good idea to give a close look to any photos. Pictures don’t lie and can often give you a better idea of the feel of a particular hotel.
- Be understanding. Remember that it can take some time for an online reservation to arrive at your chosen hotel. If you book from your cell phone minutes before arriving, you may have to wait a few minutes for your room to be ready. The upside of this is that many hotels will offer you an additional discount or other perk for your understanding.
Booking a last minute hotel room is easier than ever with the abundance of discount services available on the Internet. While there is no guarantee that you will get a room at your preferred hotel, the savings are more than worth the effort.
About The Author
This guest post was brought to you by Jerry. Jerry loves to travel and is a self taught expert at booking cheap hotels last minute.