Never book without reading the one and two star reviews
Five-star reviews tell you what a place is like at its best. One and two star reviews tell you what a place is like when things go wrong, and how the management responds. Look for patterns in negative reviews: if five separate people mention thin walls, poor WiFi, or unfriendly staff, these are systematic problems rather than individual bad experiences. Management responses to negative reviews also reveal a lot about the culture of the property.
Use Booking.com to research, then book direct
Booking.com and Expedia are excellent research tools with comprehensive review systems. However, most hotels will match or beat their rates if you book direct, and you will be treated as a more valued guest because the hotel keeps the full booking value rather than paying the 15 to 20 percent commission charged by OTAs. Always call or email the hotel directly after finding it on an OTA.
Location matters more than room quality
A mediocre room in an excellent location beats an excellent room in a poor location for almost every type of traveller. Calculate walking distances to the things you actually want to do, not just the nearest metro station. Central accommodation eliminates taxis, saves time, and gives you spontaneous access to evening wandering that peripheral hotels simply cannot offer.
The sweet spot in hotel pricing
The cheapest room at a good hotel is almost always better value than the best room at a cheap hotel. For four or five night stays, aim for three-star or boutique properties at the lower end of their pricing rather than budget properties at the top of theirs. Hotel.com's 10 nights for 1 free reward scheme is genuinely useful for regular travellers.
Hostels for solo travellers, Airbnbs for groups
The comparison between hostels and Airbnbs is really a comparison between social versus private. Good hostels have private rooms that cost less than basic hotels, plus the social infrastructure of common areas and events. Airbnbs give you a full apartment at a price that becomes excellent value when split between four to six people. For solo travellers, hostels with private rooms are usually the better value and experience.
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