5 Things to Keep In Mind While Booking a Hotel
A lot of people these days prefer booking hotels online, before going for a vacation. This has a lot of advantages, namely assurance of getting an accommodation even in peak holiday season, no hassle of looking for hotels when you reach your destination so that you can check-in immediately, possibility of discounts when you book them in advance, and much more. However, there are people who are new to all of this, and are a little skeptical as well when it comes to making bookings online. It is for these people to be aware of some tips or things to keep in mind before booking a hotel, so that they can enjoy comfort and convenience. Listed here are some of them.
1. Authenticity and Credibility of the Hotel
This is of utmost priority when you are booking a hotel online. Never go by the pictures put up on blogs or other websites apart from those put on the hotel’s official website. There are a lot of cases where people book hotel rooms looking at fancy pictures put up on agent websites or blogs, and upon reaching the hotel they realize how different the hotel actually is from those pictures. If possible, try and check with friends and relatives who might have possibly visited a hotel before to know whether it is a good one or not. Or you could crosscheck on multiple blogs, websites, and from multiple people to ensure that the hotel is indeed authentic and reliable. In other words, do proper research and don’t take a hurried decision by trusting a source blindly.
2. Clarifying of Facilities
Always call the hotel and crosscheck with them what all facilities they will be providing at the price you are paying. You shouldn’t book a hotel only on the basis of what they have mentioned on the website. Either call them to crosscheck, or do it over an email. An email is always preferable, so that you have a written record or evidence from the hotel’s side stating what all facilities you will be getting. These facilities could be anything ranging from laundry services to room service, free Wi-Fi, television, complimentary drinking water, etc.
3. Transaction Safety
It is important to ensure that the website or the online agent you are booking your hotel from is reliable and trustworthy. If it is the hotel website itself, then make sure that you sign in to the Internet from your own private and trusted network, and not from a public computer or network, so that your credit card and banking details are not disclosed to any third-party. Again, always check with people beforehand, if you know any, who might have used that particular service for that hotel before to ensure that it is reliable.
