by Marie N. Riddle

Created on: February 03, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

How to find what you really want and get it:

Searching online for deals on hotels may seem like a great way to save money and time, but most people who do this eventually end up getting the complete opposite of what they wanted. You might book a hotel that is only a few miles' away from that trail you wanted to explore, only to find that they were measuring mileage as the crow flies and not by actual driving distance. Or you might pick a charming bed and breakfast that is ten miles from the nearest city, only to find out that while it is technically that far outside the city limits it is still surrounded by civilization and all its bustle and noise.

Reading a hotel's online description is a great place to start, and I don't mean to imply that they are all dishonest, just keep in mind that they are trying to sell you something and the information they post is perhaps worded in the best possible way to accomplish that. There is, however, a relatively simple way to find out what is accurate and what isn't without leaving your computer.

Just spend some time with one of the many online map options. Not only can you get driving directions from the accommodations you are researching to the park or trail of your choice, these directions come complete with mileage and a time estimate that takes traffic and speed limits into consideration. And even better, once you have you directions you can simply click for an Arial view and zoom in on your hotel to see what is really surrounding it. It won't necessarily give you a perfect view, but it will let you see if your quiet country inn is surrounded by parking lots and gas stations.

Another way to look for accommodations online is to choose a specific state for your chosen activates, wither they are visiting historical monuments, skiing, hiking, or others. You can visit that states official tourism website and look for the best places to do everything you want to do. Most of the time when you click on a specific park or resort it will automatically recommend lodging that is close by. Sometimes these websites will only recommend certain chains even though there are many more available, but it is a good way to narrow your list down a little. These sites generally have a great deal of photos, or sometimes you can have free brochures mailed to you. They will also show you all available lodging on a map at the same time, which can also help you narrow your choices down based on distance.

Before you book your chosen hotel online, call the contact number and see if what's listed is the best rate. A lot of travel sites may guarantee the best rates, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't make sure. Some hotels have discounts for reservations longer than a week, larger groups, active military, and others, and travel sites may not pick up on these, even if their nightly rate is lower than that particular hotel's basic nightly rate.

Once you have two or three inns or hotels picked out, try to find some reviews specific to that location. You can see what your fellow skiers, fisherman, or history buffs have to say about it, and this is generally the last step needed to really make up your mind.

The key to finding the best possible accommodations to fit your trip is patient research. Don't just assume the information presented is accurate. The time you spend looking will all be worth it during your perfect vacation.

Learn more about this author, Marie N. Riddle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.