Booking a room via hotel website
When you plan to stay in a hotel, how do you usually book the hotel room?
Do you book a hotel room by calling or emailing the hotel directly? Do you check and explore the hotel website? Do you use 3rd party partner to search and short list the hotel such as, via offline travel agent or online travel agent? Do you check the rating and review on your preferred hotel before deciding to book?
There are many ways to book hotel room whether you want to do it yourself or you ask someone to do it for you.
When you plan for a trip, I am sure you already have on your mind on which hotel to stay or at least, your preferred location, what type of room to book, how many nights will you stay, do you want to include breakfast or with lounge facilities, do you need an airport pick up, or do you have any special request, such as, non-smoking floor, king or twin size bedded type, specific pillow, room nearby elevator, early check in, late check out, etc.
For any special requests, I would suggest to communicate these when the room reservation is made so that the hotel can take note and look into your requests to see if it is possible to grant them.
One way to book a hotel room is via the hotel website which I am about to explore further in this writing. Here are some points for you to consider to make a smooth booking through the hotel website.
1. Decide on the length of stay
How long do you plan to stay in a hotel? Is it only for one-night stay, two or three days or even for one week and more? If you plan to stay in a hotel for one week or more, do also call or email the hotel to check if there is any special arrangement for longer stay.
Determining the length of stay can then show you what type of rooms are available on the selected periods as well as if there is any special offer or promotion.
2. Choose your preferred room type
Select your preferred room type to book. Are you going to book the leading room category or perhaps higher room types, such as, room with lounge facilities, several types of suite rooms?
Do not forget to also decide on the type of bed, is it king size bed, queen size bed or twin-bedded type?
3. Check the room rate
Are you a member of the hotel loyalty’s program? If so, then check the rate for member which will usually be offered at better rate than for public.
Is there any special offer on the periods you plan to stay? Some hotels will offer advance purchase offer where you can book and pay several days in advance to get good deal.
Don’t forget to check the terms and conditions of the rate you choose, specially, the room offered at special rate will usually have some restrictions applied, such as, cannot be cancelled, cannot be modified, one night or the entire stay of no-show charge, etc.
More expensive room rate will usually have more flexibility in the terms and conditions, for example, you can cancel the booking without charge, you can make some changes if required. So, do check your travel plan before deciding which rate to book to avoid any unnecessary hassle later.
Once you click on the rate you choose, then you can also find the overall summary on how much you will spend with day to day rate details.
4. Pay attention on the method of payment
When you make a room booking via the hotel website, the hotel will usually ask to have your credit card details to guarantee the booking. Depending on which rate you finally decide to choose, the room booking might require the credit card either to guarantee only or to actually settle the payment.
Do ensure that you pay attention to the type of payment requested to be able to experience a smooth booking process.
5. Inform on your special request
The booking process is almost done. Do you have any special request that you want to inform the hotel? As for me, my typical special request will be a non-smoking room, king size bedded type and high floor.
6. Read the confirmation letter
The confirmation letter will be sent to your registered email. Once you receive it, spend some time to read through the details to ensure all information are correct and according to your request.
Happy hotels’ hunting and have an enjoyable stay.
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