Hotels are often one of the biggest expenses on a travel budget. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune on accommodation to enjoy a great trip.
With a little research, you can score some amazing deals on cheap hotels no matter where you’re travelling whether it is London or cheap hotels in Glasgow City Centre. Keep reading to learn 8 insider tips to find a hotel that will fit your travel budget.
1. Use a Hotel Search Engine
When you need to find a hotel that fits within your budget, a good hotel search engine will be able to help you. It will also help you compare hotel prices and get the best deal possible for your stay.
You’ll need to put in your dates and narrow your search until you find the best hotel deals. You can search by property type, neighbourhood and star rating.
The site has a price deal alert option to notify you when hotels in your area are offering special discounts. You can even set up an alert for a specific hotel.
The hotel search engine you choose should be easy to use and have a great user interface. It should also be able to connect with your social media pages and allow you to integrate the “Book Now” button.
2. Use a Hotel Comparison Site
Hotel comparison sites are a great way to find cheap hotels online. Just search a destination, dates and room type then check all prices to find the cheapest deal.
When searching for cheap hotels, don’t forget to check the total cost including taxes and fees. Some hotels do not include these costs in their advertised rates, so it’s worth double-checking to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.
Another way to save money on your hotel stay is to start your search early enough so you can watch prices over time. This way, you can act on price fluctuations as they arise and be confident you’re getting the best rate.
3. Book a Room on Arrival
Booking a room on arrival is an option that can be used to save money. This is a great idea for international travellers, as it can save them up to £70 per night if booked a few days before their trip.
When booking a hotel online, always be sure to check the fine print to make sure there are no hidden fees or restrictions. These can add up and can quickly eat into your savings.
Another tip is to try to avoid peak travel dates, as this can often result in higher hotel prices. You can use an app like Hopper to find the best times to book your hotel stay.
4. Check the Hotel’s Cancellation Policy
Hotels understand that travel can be unpredictable, and many offer flexible cancellation policies. But it is important to read the hotel’s cancellation policy before booking, to make sure you will be able to cancel your reservation without putting your cash towards any fees.
In addition, some hotels are now experimenting with tiered cancellation policies that charge higher fees depending on the day you cancel your reservation. This can eat away at your savings as the hotel slowly ratchets up the fee as your check-in date approaches.
To avoid paying high cancellation fees, always book rooms with a full-refundable rate. You can find these rooms by searching for them on the different hotel sites or using a booking engine.
5. Check the Hotel’s Location
One of the most important things to consider when booking a hotel is its location. You should stay in a central area, near public transport, airports, local attractions, food outlets and other activities.
Ideally, you should be within walking distance of these places so that you don’t need to pay for transport. If this isn’t possible, you should try to stay in a hotel that’s a little bit out of town, but close enough to the main attractions so that you can easily get around.
It’s not uncommon for hotels to offer discounts on their website, especially for loyalty members. Always check if the discount applies to your destination and dates.