There’s nothing like a vacation. The sun, the sea, and the sand are incredible, but so is the tranquility and the lack of stress. It’s as if you’ve gone to the Apple Store and they’ve reset your factory settings! Because your vacation means so much to you, every detail must be on point, and there is no better place to start than your hotel. Even if you don’t plan on spending much time there, the room can start the holiday off with a bang. It might be a damp squib if it’s not up to scratch.

Thankfully, there are easy and straightforward ways to ensure the latter isn’t the case.

Check For Alternative Accommodation

Think vacation and a hotel will spring to mind. Of course, chains don’t have a monopoly on accommodation, and you should keep this point in mind. Whether it’s a condo or villa, you can rent a private property for the same price in some instances. Vacation homes are far more accessible now than ever, thanks to the internet. Airbnb has also played a significant role, so it’s smart to weigh up your options and never to assume. Lots of landlords will list properties at affordable rates, especially if you travel in the off-season.

Make Sure Add-Ons Are Included

The base rate is almost always for the room. Everything else is going to cost you, and you don’t want to find out about this once you turn up at the front desk. If you do, you might have to pay extra for the add-ons, such as breakfast and parking, and the price could increase astronomically. Therefore, it’s best to check if the little things that you believe are essential are included in the price. Often, a breakdown of the costs is available on the likes of Booking - all you need to do is click on “amenities.”

Never Skip The Reviews

Reviews are recommendations from third-parties that you can trust. They aren’t trying to sell you anything, which is why you must consult them before proceeding to the checkout. However, there are caveats; for instance, you won’t find specific features as significant as other guests. With that in mind, it’s important to write down a list of non-negotiable items and see if they pop up. Should they not, you can take the review with a grain of salt. Another crucial tip: don’t go solely off their site. Reviews are handpicked to make the hotel look impressive, which is why you need TripAdvisor or an external site.

Enquire About Airport Transfers

The location of the hotel often seems more significant. After all, you’re only going to travel to the airport a maximum of two times. Still, airports are very far away and cost money, even with Uber. Secondly, getting to the hotel when you land can set the tone for your vacation. What if you only have a couple of nights? You don’t want to waste one of them navigating the subway and train systems.

A hotel pick-up, especially when it’s included, is a hassle-free and cheap way to start your holiday in the right manner.

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