Vacation planning can be exciting, yet stressful. According to one recent study, two out of three travelers experience information overload during research and booking – so much so that many cancel their trips altogether as a result of information overload. So how can you avoid holiday headaches? Do your research but don’t go overboard – find a hotel that suits both your budget and needs; that way you will start exploring your destination without being bogged down with stress at research time!
1. Becoming Overwhelmed with Information
With so much information available online, it can be difficult to know what is useful and what should be disregarded. Online reviews provide one great resource for learning more about hotels; just be sure that the reviews you read are objective and recent. It’s worth visiting the hotel website as they often list fees and additional costs – which may add up quickly!
2. Unnecessary Costs
Resorts often offer all-inclusive packages that appear attractive. Unfortunately, however, these often contain gratuities and taxes not covered in the base price. That doesn’t mean it won’t benefit from them, however; just be wary when reviewing any fine print for such offers. It may be helpful to speak directly with a representative in person for more detailed answers; many hotel chains list customer service agents on their websites to assist customers as they can often be quite knowledgeable in answering queries quickly.
3. Purchase of Unsuitable Insurance
Online vacation sellers are adept at selling you insurance add-ons by using tempting language such as “protect your investment.” However, not all policies offer equal coverage – some may only cover certain parts of your trip and it would be wise to consult an expert first before signing on the dotted line, advises Damian Tysdal of travel insurance comparison site CoverTrip.
4. Overbooking
The right time and place for you to book a hotel room depends on several factors, such as location, seasonality, conventions, weather patterns and so forth. As a general guideline however, booking more than 21 days out increases your risk of seeing higher-than-usual rates due to inflated demand; instead look for rooms at least 40 days before arriving and monitor prices so as to feel confident with your reservation timing decision.
Doing your research before booking the perfect hotel can pay dividends when it comes to finding an enjoyable hotel stay. Don’t let a few missteps ruin an otherwise relaxing vacation experience!