Booking your dream holiday can often be quite the task. Of course, you need to pick the perfect destination, be it a sunny beach, a surfing holiday, or maybe a secluded retreat in the outback. Australia offers something for everyone, and has become a popular destination for international travellers, but also for Aussies looking to enjoy a staycation. Once you have decided on where to go, the next step is to pick where to stay. With so many hotels on offer, it can be quite overwhelming. There’s absolutely no need to panic however, as by following these top tips, you’ll be packing your bags and setting off in no time at all!
Where should I look for my accommodation?
Let’s say you’ve decided to go for a surfing holiday to Wollongong. Just 80 kilometres from Sydney, this is a popular tourist destination of Australia, with hundreds of fabulous hotels, stunning beaches, and delicious gastronomy. It’s no surprise that it gets busy during peak season. You therefore need to search for accommodation using a reliable website that allows you to filter your requirements easily. A great way to do so is to use a property search engine like Rentola. You can get familiar with the surrounding neighbourhoods, and the types of property on offer. Once you find your accommodation for your stay, you can get organised for the rest of your trip.
Make sure you’re clear on when you will be travelling
This point seems somewhat simplistic, but mistakes in this area can create quite a headache along the line. Once you have your dates for your trip, check on the exact time you will be arriving at your holiday destination. If travelling long hall, check time zones. You may get mixed up and think you’re arriving a day earlier, when, once factoring in time differences, you’re arriving a day later. This will of course affect your hotel booking. You don’t want to end up stranded upon arrival due to an unfortunate mistake.
Check in and check out times are also an important factor. If your flight lands at 8am, you ideally don’t want to be hanging around until 4pm for check in, with all your luggage. It’s always worth messaging the hotel or apartment owner, to see if you can arrive earlier than the stated time. If they don’t have guests beforehand, usually they do not mind.
When should I book my trip to get the best deals?
Ideally, the earlier the trip is booked the better. Flight and hotel prices tend to go up the longer you leave it. There are of course some exceptions to this, but it’s a good rule of thumb to use. Factor in events going on at the time of the booking which may affect availability of accommodation. If there is a large gathering happening around that time, make sure you’re first in line. Not only will this save you money, but it will mean you have access to a larger range of hotels, meaning you’re guaranteed to get the best option on offer.
Check the hotel’s amenities, and ask yourself what ones are unnegotiable.
Have a think as to what amenities are unnegotiable and what ones are preferences. Of course, everyone would like multiple swimming pools, spas, tennis courts and direct sea views. But these will all add to the price tag, and if you plan to spend most of your trip outside, discovering the nearby attractions, will you really use these amenities? Same goes for the included breakfast, check how much it costs, and compare it to a usual breakfast in a local café. You may find a hidden local gem and enjoy a delicious start to your day for a fraction of the cost.
Check hotel reviews to make sure you know what to expect
All main booking platforms will have customer reviews to guide you through the booking process. Reading through them will give you a good idea of what to expect. You can dodge more than one bullet by doing this. The more reviews the better, if a hotel has hundreds of 4-to-5-star reviews, you’re pretty much guaranteed a nice place to stay.
Play around with booking flexibility to save money.
Most platforms will offer varying prices for the same room depending on the flexibility of the booking. This has become increasingly popular post pandemic, after so many travel disruptions. You will pay more for the same room if you add flexibility options to the booking. If you’re 100% sure on the dates of your trip, choose the cheaper option. This can save you some money that you can spend later during your holiday.
By following these tips you’ll be sure to find the best accommodation, at the best price. All you’ll have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your stay.