Hotel Booking Tips From a Former Hospitality Employee
Hotel booking has definitely gotten more transparent over the years. Having worked in room reservations for years, I’ve seen lots of crazy things and been on both ends of the crazy. One thing to note—most room reservations agents are exhausted. They’ve had the same conversation with at least 30 other people that day and might not remember what they’ve said to whom. They’re usually not out to get you or purposely keep information from you. Some of this information is naturally in the terms and conditions of your booking. So here are some of my favorite hotel booking tips you need to know to keep in mind when traveling!
Room Types Are Often Requests, Not Guarantees
Your room type is usually not guaranteed. You wanted one king bed? That’s typically just a request. While there are definitely exceptions to this rule, often, hotel rooms are not assigned until arrival. Sometimes, if hotels are expecting a huge rush, they may pre-assign rooms before check-in time to expedite the registration process. If you absolutely have to have a certain bed type, you may need to splurge and book a room type that only has that type of bed. These rules typically pertain to larger properties—bed and breakfasts that only have one of each room will often have you book specific rooms, so you essentially know what you’re getting. That said, rooms can still change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Minibar vs. Mini Fridge: Know the Difference
While this may not be a secret, to some who haven’t traveled much or have little kids with them, it’s definitely worth noting. There is a HUGE difference between a refrigerator and a minibar. A minibar is fully stocked with drinks and snacks that will probably cost you more than the hotel room if you proceed to eat and drink everything in it. This is very different from a mini fridge that is empty and available for you to use if you want to bring food or beverages back to your room. Those in the know may understand this, but it is definitely worth mentioning—never empty a minibar to make room for your own drinks and food. Many minibars (especially in pricier hotels) are weighted, and if you lift an item off its spot for more than a few seconds, your room will automatically be charged. Leave everything where it is!
Housekeeping Changes You Need to Know
Many hotels have kept some of their COVID-19 restrictions in place, whether travelers like it or not. That said, there are still plenty of hotels that no longer offer daily housekeeping. In fact, at many hotels, housekeeping is only performed every few days or upon request. Realistically this saved hotels a lot of time and money since many of us don’t need our rooms cleaned every single day (and I for one hate having anyone in my room), but this doesn’t mean you can’t call the front desk or housekeeping directly if you need more amenities like towels, pillows, toiletries, etc.
Mastering Occupancy Rates for Better Value
Most hotels book their rooms based on double occupancy, so your room price is typically based on having two people in your room. That said, if you are traveling to any other country or even the larger American cities alone, consider changing your occupancy to match the fact that you will be traveling alone. Since the rise of hostels and pod hotels, single occupancy has become more popular, and as such, there are often better rates when you make sure and note that you are traveling alone. This, of course, often means you will have a smaller room with a smaller bed, though, so if you need that queen-sized bed to stretch out, you’re going to need to book accordingly (and keep in mind that bed types are usually requests only). Also, keep in mind that America tends to use larger bed types than the rest of the world (kings and queens versus doubles and singles). On the flip side, if you’re traveling with a group, hotels in Asia and Europe often have rooms with three to four beds, making it easier to share a room with a group instead of booking multiple rooms.
The Truth About Hotel Breakfasts
Sometimes that hotel breakfast is NOT worth it. I’ve only stayed at one hotel where I utilized that free hotel breakfast every single day. This was at The Castle Hotel in Dublin, and the breakfast included pastries and a buffet line of full Irish specialties (eggs, bacon, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, and pudding). The add-on for many hotels is usually not worth it, and free breakfasts are usually just stale continental options that will delay you from getting to local bakeries and cafes that are definitely more worth your time. Look for photos of the offerings and reviews mentioning what’s available before falling into the hotel breakfast trap! You can save valuable time and money!
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