Avoid these 8 common mistakes when booking a hotel online

The ease of online hotel booking has changed our travel habits. With a couple of simple clicks, we can book a room anywhere in the world and often at a very competitive price. However, the convenience of booking online has its risks. Many travelers are disappointed when their hotel stay did not match what they were expecting, due to bad photos or hidden fees. By learning about the most common pitfalls, you can make better choices and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience.

Relying too much on photos

Hotel sites and online booking portals choose the best and most flattering photos of their properties, whether it be a spacious suite or stunning view or amenities staged in a perfect way that makes your travel heart flutter. The problem is that many travelers make assumptions that rooms look like hotel images or the worst assumption is that every room looks like those photos. A room facing the street may not have the same view, and standard room categories are not always as glamorous as those perfectly staged photos you viewed online.

Tip: Always consult multiple sources for images, particularly user uploaded images on review sites, to get a realistic sense of the property.

Ignoring the fine print

Most of the time, travelers pick their rooms by the lowest price they see and don't check the details. After booking a room, the fine print, which typically contains important details, like cancellation policy, check-in/check-out times, breakfast inclusions, and resort fees, seldom gets read. Forgetting to take note of these details ahead of time could lead to unwanted surprises, such as: charges for Wi-Fi or extra charges for late check-outs.

Tip: Make sure to administer and read the booking policies and inclusions carefully to avoid hidden charges or stringent rules.

Read more: Thailand plans to give free tickets to international tourists: Read to know who is eligible
Not paying attention to location

A hotel may look terrific on paper but when it comes to a location, that can either make your experience or break it. Generally, travellers will look for a property that is ‘close to city centre’ or ‘on or near the beach,’ only to realize it's kilometers away. Not only does this incur additional costs in transit, but it wastes precious time.

Tip: Look up the address in Google Maps or another navigation provider first and check nearby public transport, places to eat, and attractions to ensure convenience.

Not shopping around

It is not uncommon to make a mistake in booking the first deal you find. Rates can vary a lot from one platform to the next, and you may sometimes find bonuses with the hotel website such as an upgrade or flexible cancellation policies.

Tip: Before you book, be sure you compare a minimum of three platforms and that you're aware, if at all possible, of price-match guarantees. And consider booking directly with the hotel, if the bonus and benefits outweigh the value of the third-party booking.

Read more: 5 must-visit places for Diwali shopping in Bengaluru

Not reading guest reviews

Traveler reviews can provide personal experience-based details about cleanliness or quality of service, as well as noise factors, among other real-life specifics that hotels or other promotions cannot portray. Ignoring traveler reviews can lead to selecting hotels that are not up to your standards.

Tip: Look through recent reviews and be cognizant of patterns. One bad review may indeed be an anomaly; however, if reviews contain several complaints about the same issue (i.e. staff service, cleanliness, maintenance, safety), that should raise a flag.

Falling for ‘Too Good to Be True’ deals

Beware of suspiciously inexpensive deals, especially on lesser-known websites, as they could be scams or lead to non-existent bookings. Even if the deal is real, there may be no refunds, and it'll leave you feeling stuck if your plans are modified.

Tip: Book with trusted websites or with the hotel on the hotel's website. However, if you do decide to book with a third party, call the hotel to confirm the reservation.

Not checking booking payment security

Fraudulent websites will often use the booking format of popular booking websites to trick travelers into providing payment information. Entering your credit card number without verifying the legitimacy of the website is dangerous;

Tip: Check to see if the site is secure (look for HTTPS) and always use a credit card instead of a debit card as it provides more protection against fraud.

Not thinking about your individual needs

Often, when travelers are booking their trip, they do not consider elements that will impact their comfort, such as disability access, pet policies, parking, or kid-friendly amenities. All of these things become an unneeded source of stress on a trip.

Tip: Make a list of must-haves before booking and double-check the hotel.

There are huge time and money savings booking a hotel online, but careful consideration is key. We can avoid many common pitfalls, including trust in promotional pictures, ignoring the fine print, misunderstanding location, and chasing unrealistic deals to protect ourselves from disappointments and scams. The best trips start with lots of thorough research, a basis of facts and double-checking, and trust in reliable sources.

Most importantly, a hotel stay is much more than just a room; it can determine the quality and level of your entire trip. Therefore, when traveling, some extra effort before booking can help your travel stories to be made around experiences instead of bad memories.

Author: Harshal Dilwali, Director and CEO of Clarissa Resorts