Best 11 tips to consider when booking a room
When it comes to booking a hotel room, there are some key tips to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
1. Timing is key
A guest’s motivation for traveling will affect how far in advance they should book and when they travel. Timing is crucial for both booking in advance and choosing the best time to travel. For business trips, timing might be out of a guest’s hands. However, for holidays, if their company doesn’t stipulate when they must take vacation, it’s a good idea to travel in the off-season.
Traveling in the off-season benefits guests with better prices and helps hotels avoid big dips in demand during low seasons. If your hotel is in a destination that isn’t subject to seasonality, timing might be less critical. The sweet spot for booking in advance is usually around two months before a trip.
2. Hotel reviews are important
Don’t neglect the importance of hotel reviews. One of the strongest motivations for guests to book is word-of-mouth or peer-to-peer reviews. As a hotelier, it’s a good idea to closely manage your online reputation and respond to both negative and positive reviews. As a guest, checking sites like TripAdvisor, Google, or even the booking engine’s reviews can help you make an educated decision about where to stay.
3. Leverage loyalty programs
Loyalty programs are a win-win. Enrolling in loyalty programs allows guests to gain points that they can use towards free nights and other benefits. For hotels, loyalty program help keep guests coming back, making them more profitable due to higher returns on advertising spend and investment.
4. Make sure check-in and check-out times are clear
Each guest has unique needs depending on their flight schedules. Ensuring that check-in and check-out times are clear can be a huge deciding factor for guests. Hotels can leverage these check-in and check-out times to generate revenue, and guests might find it worth paying a little extra for a late check-out before a long flight.
5. Location is everything
Guests traveling for business will want to be close to convention centers, business areas, or downtown, while those traveling for leisure may prefer proximity to sights or the beach. Clearly state your hotel’s location and nearby attractions on your booking site to manage expectations and ensure guests book for the right reasons.
6. Amenities and inclusions
Clearly lay out the amenities and inclusions your hotel offers, such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, hairdryer, iron, and more. This helps guests know what to expect and prepare accordingly. As a guest, check what amenities are available so you know what to pack.
7. Room type
As a guest, it’s important to know what you want. If you’re a smoker, find out if smoking is allowed in the room or if there is a balcony. If you’re traveling with friends, you might want a room with single beds. Check the occupancy for each room and ensure the price reflects the number of people traveling. As a hotel, clearly list the type of room, what it includes, maximum occupancy, and whether it’s smoking or non-smoking.
8. Payment and cancellation
Payment policies are crucial for both guests and hotels. Guests should consider payment types and, if their trip is guaranteed, opt for a no-cancellation rate, which tends to be lower. Hotels should clearly state payment policies and how far in advance cancellations must be made to get a full refund. Clearly laying out accepted payment methods and cancellation policies avoids misunderstandings and disgruntled guests, allowing them to assess whether cancellations are feasible.
9. Consider room size
Every country has its policies for minimum room size requirements. As a guest, it’s a good idea to choose a room that’s at least 20 square meters (215 square feet) to avoid feeling claustrophobic and to have enough space for belongings. As a hotel, providing ample storage space, regardless of room size, helps guests feel relaxed and at home.
10. To include breakfast or not
For hotels, offering breakfast can be a nice add-on to increase the average daily rate without significant extra cost. For guests, booking a room with breakfast included can be a good idea if the price difference isn’t too high, saving on potentially expensive breakfasts elsewhere.
11. Keep in mind special requests
Special requests can translate into higher daily average rates for hotels, such as room upgrades or special room types like sea or garden views. As a guest, consider what you value, whether it’s peace and quiet or added amenities like a jacuzzi. If a guest has reduced mobility, booking an appropriate room is essential.
Conclusion
We’ve explored helpful tips for making a hotel reservation, both for hoteliers and guests. By keeping both sides of the equation in mind, you can find a sweet spot where guests are happy with their booking decisions, and hotels can leverage booking patterns to drive profitability while keeping guests’ best interests in mind.
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