When it comes to searching for low cost hotels the internet is a genuine mine of information. With terms such as ‘cheap hotels' returning over 62 million results however, users can sometimes have to dig for a long time before they find exactly what they want. There are numerous channels to be explored when searching for holiday deals: social networks, blogs, news sites and the websites of travel companies themselves are all part of the online throng, so for quick results search engines are the most obvious place to start. There isn't a magic formula for using them to locate the ideal hotel, but there are some good guidelines that holidaymakers can follow to help make sure that they find what they are looking for as quickly as possible.
Searching and Browsing
For holidaymakers who are lucky enough to know exactly what they want before they start looking, finding a bargain price hotel is a case of searching the web and being as specific as possible. Giving a search engine full and relevant information will help to narrow down the results and increase the chance of finding the perfect hotel quickly. Remember to choose phrases that are clear and obvious. Travel companies often make their holiday and hotel deals visible on the internet based on the most commonly used search terms. A phrase such as ‘affordable accommodation in a sunny place this winter', for example, is far less likely to produce a great deal than ‘cheap winter sun hotels'.
For those who don't quite know what they want from their holiday yet, browsing is the best option. Consider starting with a search across major hotel and holiday types, such as city hotels, beach hotels, all inclusive hotels, winter sun hotels or perhaps ski hotels. This will return plenty of ideas about locations and price ranges to fire the imagination.
Deals and Discounts
There are a huge range of great discounts on cheap hotels online that don't require any compromise on quality. Choosing to visit a destination out of peak season is one way to ensure a good deal and targeting the less popular holiday spots will also help. Being flexible about exact location (for example, whether the hotel is near the airport or the beach) and star rating will help to knock some pounds off the price if money is a major motivating factor. Check guest reviews online to find out people are saying about a particular hotel if unsure.
More Choice, More Time
If time is of the essence, then one of the best ways to quickly find a good deal is to approach an agent or comparison site that offers a wide range of hotel options in one place. This way it is possible to compare prices across a number of hotels in any one destination to get the best deal. Many websites will have a best price filter or ‘lowest price first' facility for extra ease.
Customer Confidence and Protection
There are plenty of cheap hotels around at the moment, but if a hotel ends up being a disaster then the saving made on the price is a hollow victory. Examine websites for their credentials and customer protection policies for extra peace of mind.
Extra Services and Information
For additional ease and speed, check out whether the website offers extra services and information such as resort transfers or travel guides. This can help to save valuable search time when locating the right destination and hotel, and buying a package - such as a combined hotel and transfer - can mean money shaved off the price too.
