What to Keep in Mind When Booking a Hotel Room
When we book a hotel room, all of us expect the property to match the information presented and, above all, our own needs and wishes. Whether you plan to stay in an ultra-central hotel or one close to public transport, you want it to have parking or a green space.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you plan your next getaway and its budget.
1. Room types.
Depending on its classification, each accommodation property may have more or fewer rooms, in a variety of types. Some rooms may have separate beds, a double bed and a sofa. Do you know the difference between a double room and a twin room?
- Single – a room with a single bed and the related facilities (bathroom, TV, internet, heating, etc.). Depending on the hotel’s policy, a double room may also be offered for single use – some people prefer to sleep in a double bed 😊
- Double – a room for 2 people, with a double bed.
- Twin – a room that sleeps 2 people, with 2 separate single beds.
- Triple – a room that sleeps 3 adults, with either three separate beds or a double bed + a single bed (or a sofa bed).
- Quadruple – as you have probably guessed, this is for four people and can have several layouts: four separate beds, 2 double beds, etc.
- Junior suite – an open-plan room that sleeps 2 to 4 people.
- Studio – a double bed and a kitchen / kitchenette.
- Suite – an apartment that can have two or more rooms. It is usually recommended for families with children.
Ask the hotel for all the details about the layout of the room you have booked, so that you can be sure you will have every comfort and a stay without surprises.
2. How do you plan your stay? Accommodation with or without meals?
Take this year as an example: the number of tourists on the coast was higher than in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Most of them opted for accommodation with meals included.
Are you familiar with the specific terms: half board, full board, all inclusive?
- Breakfast can be à la carte, where you choose the dish you want from the menu, or a buffet, where the hotel offers a wider variety of products and you choose what you want and how much.
- Half board includes 2 meals, without drinks: breakfast and lunch, or breakfast and dinner (most people opt for the second). One thing to keep in mind is that check-in day at most hotels starts after lunch, so you will only be able to have dinner, and on check-out day only breakfast.
- Full board includes the 3 main meals, without drinks.
- All inclusive could be called an upgrade on full board 😊 It includes the 3 main meals + alcoholic / non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, depending on the hotel. Of course, most hotels also offer other facilities: entertainment, children’s programmes, sport, a swimming pool, etc.
It is important to find out when you book your stay which meals are included in the final price.
3. Policies for children.
Each accommodation property has its own policy for children, including the extra charges that will be added to the final price of the stay. So, if you do not want any unpleasant surprises on holiday, we recommend that you check the details beforehand. Some hotels offer free accommodation / meals for children under 7 or 3, and in other cases you have to pay for an extra bed / a meal supplement.
4. The city or resort tax must be taken into account when you set your holiday budget.
5. Hotel facilities.
These are somewhat “personal”, depending on your preferences and the purpose and length of your visit 😊 Consider the location you want and the facilities of the property: parking, restaurant, children’s play area, spa, room service, etc.
6. Reviews.
Thank goodness for the internet, which lets us read other tourists’ impressions and experiences: what problems they ran into, how the food was, the cleanliness and the hotel staff. Do your research! On localtravel.ro you will find customer reviews as well as the hotel’s replies.
7. Cancellation conditions. Read them carefully, because if you have to cancel your booking, cancellation penalties of up to 100% may apply.