Insider Tips to Choose the Perfect Hotel and Avoid Booking Pitfalls

Julia Mikeda, Marketing Director at the online learning platform Netology, shares her extensive experience booking hotels worldwide.

Have you ever arrived at a hotel you booked independently, excitedly opened your room door, only to find something completely different from what you expected?

After staying at dozens of hotels across the globe and learning valuable lessons, I realized that booking hotels is not a game of chance but rather a skill that can be mastered.

Here are nine practical tips from my personal experience to help you avoid confusion caused by booking services and ensure you get the level of comfort you anticipate.

Tip 1: Never Judge a Hotel by Its Photos Alone

The most important thing to remember when using booking platforms is that photos displayed are often far from reality. Your focus should be on other indirect indicators rather than just images.

For example, one Asian hotel showcased photos of a seemingly large pool, but the actual pool was tiny, as revealed in a different photo angle.

Tip 2: Always Check the Room Size

The room's total area is the truest measure of its spaciousness. For comfort and freedom of movement, aim for rooms 375 square feet (35 m²) or larger.

Balconies or patios can make a room feel more spacious by extending living space outdoors.

For instance, a boutique hotel in New York described its rooms as "spacious," but the actual room, including the bathroom, was only 237 square feet (22 m²), making it difficult to move or store luggage. An upgrade was necessary.

Tip 3: Pay Attention to the Total Number of Rooms

This detail is usually listed near the hotel description. If you value peace and quiet, choose hotels with 200–300 rooms.

For large chains like Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt, up to 400–500 rooms can still be comfortable, but more than that often means long lines, crowds during breakfast, and less personalized service.

My first impression of Hilton San Francisco was disrupted by a noisy lobby crowded with hundreds seeking free Wi-Fi. Later, I learned the hotel has 1,908 rooms!

Tip 4: Beware of Boutique Hotels

Boutique hotels often market themselves as stylish and luxurious, independent of large chains. However, quality can vary significantly, and prices tend to be higher.

Check the renovation date: recent updates (within 1-2 years) are a good sign. Lack of this info is a red flag.

"The term 'boutique hotel' has recently become diluted and is often used as a marketing tool to enhance appeal."

Searching for alternatives near Hilton San Francisco, I found boutique hotels with small, outdated rooms and unpleasant odors, charging $250–270 per night. Photos online looked glamorous, but the reality was disappointing.

Tip 5: Consider Noise Levels for a Restful Sleep

If you are sensitive to noise, assess two factors:

1. Proximity to busy roads or tourist hubs using Google Maps. Roads within 330–490 feet (100–150 meters) can cause constant background noise.
2. Quality of window soundproofing, often linked to the hotel's age or renovation date. Contact the hotel if unsure.

At Aston Kaanapali Villas in Maui, I was surprised by road noise near the hotel and insufficient window insulation. I had to get used to it.

Tip 6: Don't Be Misled by the Term "Beach Hotel"

For a beach vacation, carefully examine the hotel's location on Google Maps. Check if a road separates the hotel from the beach and map the walking route to the nearest shore.

Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach, despite its name, is located a block away from the beach, with ocean views obstructed by other buildings.

Tip 7: Expect Additional Charges Beyond the Listed Price

Besides the room rate, anticipate taxes, Wi-Fi fees, breakfast, and parking costs.

Taxes may or may not be included upfront, sometimes revealed only at checkout. For example, a U.S. hotel might charge:

• Tax (~16%)
• Resort fee ($20 per night)
• City tax (2%)

Booking.com shows the total cost including taxes only after selecting a room and proceeding to the booking step, where the price is displayed in the top-right corner, often overlooked.

Wi-Fi availability and charges vary; paid Wi-Fi usually covers one device only, so double the cost if traveling with a companion.

Breakfast, if not included, typically costs $15–20 per person.

Parking fees range from free to $15–50 per day; check availability if renting a car.

Once, additional fees for two guests totaled $194, including taxes ($40), breakfast ($72), parking ($52), and internet ($30).

Tip 8: Focus on Common Themes in Reviews

Reviews vary widely; negative feedback is often more frequent. Read multiple reviews to identify recurring praises or complaints.

Consider:

1. Feedback echoed by many guests
2. Overall hotel ratings, remembering that "excellent" often means "good," and "good" means "average."

Ignore outliers and focus on the majority consensus.

Tip 9: Additional Booking Considerations

• Room category names can be misleading. Explore all room types on the hotel's page without selecting dates to understand the hierarchy (e.g., "Suite" vs. "Deluxe" vs. "Superior").
• Booking guarantees or deposits may surprise you. Some bookings block funds on your card or charge upfront, with varying refund policies. Pay close attention to these terms.
• Special requests via booking comments may not reach the hotel. For important messages, contact the hotel directly by email or phone.
• Higher room categories aren't always better. A garden-view cottage near the sea might be preferable to a noisy "sea view" room next to a busy road. Call the hotel to clarify.

If you encounter problems upon arrival:

• Speak up! Request a room upgrade or change if unsatisfied.
• No vacancy? Even if online shows full, call the hotel for last-minute availability.
• Check nearby hotels. They might have rooms even when online listings say otherwise.
• Changing hotels often incurs no penalty if you notify in advance.
• Booking platforms offer customer support. Contact them for assistance if needed.

What challenges have you faced booking hotels? Share your tips in the comments to help fellow independent travelers.

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