Tips For Getting the Best Hotel Deals

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about how to get the best deal on hotels. Some of these ideas are based on out-dated information about travel. Things have changed a lot in the Internet age, especially when it comes to travel. What worked in the days before on-line booking doesn't necessarily get you the best deal these days. Here's a few tips I've worked out to help find the best deals:

Know Your Seasons

Most hotels in Thailand adjust their rates according to the season. Rates go up during the tourist 'high' season, which for most destinations is from November to April, when it's cooler and drier. The difference in rates can be 30% to 50% or more. If you have the flexibility and a little rain won't ruin your day, then you can save money simply by planning your trip during the low season.

Booking in Advance

There was a time when lots of guide books recommended just showing up at hotels. In some cases, this was the only way to get a room, since many properties weren't part of any international booking system. The idea was, you could negotiate a good rate in person once you got there. While there are still a few places without web sites, by and large walk-ins get charged the rack rate, with little room to negotiate. More and more hotels realize that once you walk in, you're not likely to walk out, so they tend to charge as much as they can to walk-ins. Booking in advance is definitely recommended.

Last Minute Bookings

Special prices on last minute bookings were, for a while, the best deals you could get. With more and more people making their hotel reservations weeks rather than months ahead of time, there are generally fewer last minute specials around. In addition, many hotels, especially in the four and five star class, are realizing that dropping rates doesn't significantly increase bookings, it just lowers margins. Some hotels still offer good deals in mid-season if their bookings aren't up to expectations, but counting on these is generally not a good idea. Some chains are even offering big discounts if you book well ahead of your trip rather than the last minute. Of course, it should go without saying that, if you want to stay in a specific place, you're better off booking it as soon as you can rather than waiting for a last minute deal.

Hotel Web Sites vs Booking Sites

This is the current big conundrum, and there's no fixed answer. Generally speaking, you should compare prices between the booking sites referenced here in my hotel recommendations and the hotel's own web site. Until a few years ago, the big hotel chains were stubbornly trying to get rack rates for bookings on their web site, which meant you almost always got the best deal from the third party booking sites. They finally wised up and now some chains like Marriott guarantee the lowest rate through their web site, with caveats. If you're a frequent traveler with membersips in hotel loyalty programs, it's good to note that you don't always receive points for stays booked through discount sites.

Apples & Oranges

When comparing rates, make sure you're comparing the same thing. Some sites show the room rate inclusive of tax and service charges, which add up to about 17% in Thailand, while some do not. Also check to see if breakfast is included in the quoted rate, as well as any restrictions. Many hotels are now offering really good deals on "fixed" reservations that don't allow any changes or refunds.

While you're chasing the best deals, keep an eye on the terms and conditions. As mentioned in the last point, some hotel deals come with strings attached, such as no refunds or changes, or charges for changes, etc. You need to be especially careful to check the terms and conditions each time you book through a discount booking site, such as Agoda. These sites "pass through" the terms they are given by the hotel, so the policies regarding changes and cancellation can vary from one booking to another, even though you're using the same site.