If you have dreams of sleeping on marshmallow-like pillows in a deluxe suite while waiting for room service during your next holiday, you’re going to have to pay up.
Or at least, that’s what most people think when they begin planning their next trip, but the truth is that you can find five-star accommodations for a price that doesn’t boast as many stars. The key to getting a posh hotel room on an average budget is to do your research and study the tricks of the trade. Using sites like Expedia, Achica, and Kayak can help. Here are a few more tips to get you started.
Search for travel packages. If your trip involves air fare, hotel reservations, and/or a rental car, you could save a significant amount of money by reserving all of these services at the same time. Not only does this save time and effort for you, but it could also get you into a five-star room with a budget that calls for less luxury.
Stick with the same hotel. This tactic requires a bit more forethought, but it is well worth the effort. If there is one particular hotel franchise that you prefer, it is a good idea to inquire about reward systems for frequent patrons. Also, if you stay at the same hotel multiple nights in a row, you could pick up discounts for the second or third consecutive nights. At the very least, you’ll be able to dodge booking fees.
Book online. The Internet is a vast resource, especially when it comes to making travel plans. You can often find more rooms available and at better rates when you reserve your hotel online, and you may not even have to do all of the work yourself. There are many sites that will search for the best online deals for you if you subscribe to an email update. Using these discount sites could also entail unexpected savings, as they will usually give you a partial refund if someone else reserves a similar room at better price after you made your reservation.
Travel when everyone else stays at home. The summer is well-known as a prime travel season for most people, but if you avoid going with the trend, you may be able to book a top-rate hotel at a much lower price, in addition to saving money on plane fare or other modes of transportation. This is because hotels and other tourism-driven businesses experience less demand in the off-season, so they have to lower prices to attract more customers.
Ask for the discounts that you don’t know about.There are many discounts that you may not even be aware of, which is why it is always a good idea to ask if you’re booking your room with the help of a hotel customer service representative. You could hold membership to an exclusive professional organisation that qualifies for a discounted rate, or you may be able to get a special price for making your reservation with a large group.
Now that you know the secrets of the travel industry, you can use them to your advantage. Enjoy the best holiday that money can buy without actually having to spend it all.
By Romeo. P
Hotel photo: Taweesak Jarearnsin
