by J Mock

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2011

Once you have decided your vacation or business destination you need to choose your hotel accommodation. Before succumbing to the glitzy portrayals in the on-line photos and holiday brochures, set aside the time to make a list of your individual needs. With a little extra care you can always find a suitable hotel that will be suited towards your own tastes and needs.

Firstly, consider your budget. Determine how much you can realistically afford and stick to it. The hotel may be positively advertised with exceptional facilities, but do you really require the luxurious gym and exceptional conference rooms. The price will reflect what the hotel can offer the traveller, and if you are not going to use the extra facilities, it is probably advisable to look at alternatives that will save you money.

Also take into the account the holiday season. If you prefer the more luxurious setting, consider taking your vacation at an alternate time of year as accommodation prices will always reflect the time of year. Avoiding the peak season of school and public holidays will always provide a discount.

If you plan to simply use the hotel as a base and will be outside at the beach or sightseeing for most days, take this into consideration in your budget. Choose a more basic accommodation that will provide you with a simple and clean room, with no unnecessary extras that will increase the cost per night.

The location of the hotel is an important factor when considering you and your families personal requirements. Take into account any special needs like disability, distance to amenities and parking arrangements. If you are travelling by car, can you park in the hotel grounds or do you need to pay for private parking away from the hotel. If you like to dine out are there available eateries within a short distance.

If, for example, you are taking a vacation near a beach resort, do you object to walking a short distance to the beach, as opposed to 'stepping out onto the sand'. Hotels can be less expensive if they are set a little further back from the seafront.

A business traveller will undoubtably need to consider the location of the accommodation in relation to his or her intended business dealings. Proximity to intended meetings and time constraints are an important factor when considering means of travelling between intended points.

The hotel providing conference facilites may be an ideal choice in order to tie in both accommodation and meetings.

Be prepared to allow for a degree

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