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11 Tips
for Landing
Rock Bottom Hotel Prices
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#1
Research Your Destination!
Before you begin searching
for hotels, do a little homework.
First, in Atlantic City,
New Jersey weekends are more expensive. In Washington D.C.,
weekdays are more expensive. When planning a several-day
getaway, research this information first. This will help
you adjust your trip to make it more affordable.
Is the vacation about the
hotel or the area? For example, are you going to the
Bahamas specifically to be pampered at the Atlantis? What
about Orlando? Are you just looking for a place to park
yourself between trips to the amusement parks?
The type of hotel you
should book will be dependent on these questions.
#2 Know
Your Hotel Ratings!
The goal is to get the best
hotel possible for the best price, right? Then, when
reviewing hotels it's important to be able to compare apples
to apples.
Most websites use a rating
system of one to five stars. Here is an example of the
system used by Travelocity:
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5
Stars |
These luxury
properties are members of an elite group of
hotels that exhibit an exceptionally high degree
of service and hospitality. These properties
display an original design, elegant room decor,
exceptional dining, and meticulous grounds. The
flawless execution of guest services is the
staff's prevailing concern. |
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4
Stars |
These superior
properties distinguish themselves with a high
level of service and hospitality, as well as a
wide variety of amenities and upscale
facilities. A well-integrated design, stylized
room decor, excellent restaurant facilities, and
landscaped grounds are all present. The comfort
and convenience of the guest is the staff's
prevailing concern. |
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3
Stars |
These properties
offer a higher level of service with additional
amenities, features, and facilities. The
property grounds, decor, and quality of
furnishings are a noticeable upgrade in terms of
style and class. Most properties in this
category feature restaurants serving breakfast,
lunch, and dinner. Room service availability may
vary. Valet parking, pools, and fitness centers
are often provided. |
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2
Stars |
These properties
meet a traveler's basic needs for comfort and
convenience while offering moderate aesthetic
enhancements in the property grounds, room
decor, and quality of furnishings. Some may
offer limited restaurant service, however room
service is usually not provided. |
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1
Star |
These properties
meet a budget-traveler's basic needs for comfort
and convenience. They tend to be located near
major attractions or thoroughfares and provide
clean guest rooms. Many properties do not have a
restaurant on site but are usually located
within walking distance of dining
establishments. |
Additionally, some websites
like Priceline have an additional higher category called
Resort Hotels.
#3 Don't
Overdo It!
Is you hotel stay strictly
for a bed and a shower during a cross country Trip? If
it is, perhaps something clean and modest is all you need.
Are you celebrating a wedding anniversary in Manhattan?
Then you might want bells and whistles.
Don't overpay by staying
somewhere extravagant when it's just not necessary.
The Four Seasons and Ritz Hotels are fantastic, but if you're
arriving at 10:00 p.m. and will be back on the road at 8:00
a.m., you are throwing money away.
#4
Comparison Shop and Make Use of Your Resources!
There is no single website
that always finds the best hotel deals. It just doesn't
exist.
The most aggressive travel
bargain hunters will
search through multiple travel sites when planning a trip.
Below are seven sites which should be part of your research
plan:
Again, any of these sites
might have the best price on any given day. You need to
do your homework.
There has also been some
excitement generated in recent years over "aggregator
websites" which search airline websites for the best deals.
Here are the top four:
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