Accommodation Online: In 2020, as per reports, $817 million worth of bookings were made online. It is almost 80% of the total market share of hotel bookings. Taking into account the numerous advantages provided by online booking websites, it is almost certain that this number will only continue to grow in the coming years.

The digital age is making everyone’s life easier. When you  Book Hotels Online , you save time, energy and get a chance to browse different options. This usually allows people to make a well-informed decision and help pre-plan everything.

But, it is crucial to stay alert and check everything before booking a hotel. Here are 10 crucial things you need to keep in mind while booking a hotel online.

1. Type of Hotel

Firstly, you should check the type of hotel. When booking online, you will find resorts, luxury hotels, villas, etc. Get real pictures and check the hotel’s stars and the type of accommodation they provide.  

You can set filters to get a compact list of the type of accommodation you are looking for.

• Location of the Hotel

Are you planning to stay near the city or away from it? It’s crucial to know this beforehand, as this will help determine the optimal location for your hotel room.

Check the hotel’s website and get clarity on the exact address. Check how far it is from the famous attractions or places you need to visit during your stay.

Review the commute options, and see how long it takes to travel to the city center from the hotel location. Also, consider the time it will take to reach the hotel from the airport.

• Reputation and Reviews

While checking online and making your bookings, always take some time to research. Read the reviews left by other customers. As you cannot visit the place before you book a room, it is better to rely on the real-life experiences of other visitors.

This will give you an idea about the overall satisfaction level regarding facilities and services. Always choose a hotel with positive ratings and reviews while booking online.

• Website

Whether you are booking rooms online through any third-party website or the hotel website directly, the quality of the website should be top-notch. Look at the site and the user-friendliness of its interface.

The site should be well designed, contain all the necessary information, and be easy to navigate. Check whether the site is safe to make payments.

• Facilities

Check out the facilities before you click on the ‘book’ button. Before transaction, check the type of rooms and room services, Wi-Fi, parking and valet services, pool, gym, etc. Also, when you go up on the budget, there will be many added facilities to enhance your luxury experience.

While booking, you can filter your choices based on the must-have facilities and services. This will help shortlist the hotels and save time and energy.

• Transportation Facilities

Whether you need the airport shuttle or a rental car to drive around the city, it is better to check the availability. Keep in mind that not all hotels provide transportation services.

So, if you need one, then you must check before booking. Also, you should make transportation bookings before you reach for an easy commute from the airport to the hotel.  If you wish to visit with a group of people for any conference or seminar, check if the hotel has minibusses. 

• Fees and Charges

Many hotels charge extra for added services and facilities. So, while you book hotels, make sure you use a website such as AmericanOtels, since these websites take steps to ensure that all the fees will be clearly displayed on the website. This will help you avoid any hidden charges.

• Payment Methods

While you are making online hotel bookings, you will have to pay beforehand in most cases. Therefore, you should check the type of payment methods the site supports.

Whether the hotel site or the third-party site, they should have different payment methods. They should support card payments, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. the payment gateways should be safe so that your transaction remains secure.

• Cancellation Policy

Unwarranted situations can arise at any point in time. This can lead to changes to plans, and you may end up canceling your plans. Check if you get a full or half refund for cancellation. Some hotels may not be willing to refund any money if you cancel at the last minute.

Hence, it is extremely necessary to pay attention to the cancellation policy and the booking site as well. Check when and how you can cancel your booking to get a complete refund. Also, read the policy to learn about the cancellation fee that will be deducted in case of on-date cancellation.

1. Additional Restrictions

Lastly, consider the added restrictions that some hotels tend to impose. Whether the hotel has any age restriction, whether they allow 24-hour check-ins, or whether they allow pets – remember to understand all restrictions before booking.

When booking a room online, always look for clarity regarding accommodation type, facilities, and payment methods. Do research, fine-tune your search, read the fine print, and then decide.