How to Avoid Booking a Bad Hotel
A disappointing hotel stay stinks, whether you're on the road a dozen nights a month or you only travel a few times a year. Anyone that values travel -- and their dollars and points -- will bristle at being subjected to a night or more in a hotel that doesn't check the boxes. Here are our tips to make sure you do everything you can to book the right hotel for every stay.
What's a "Bad" Hotel?
We can rant and rave about a bad hotel experience but "bad" can mean different things to different people. We can all agree that straight-up terrible hotel stays are the ones where we hear nightmarish stories of bedbug infestations, large hidden resort fees and lax security.
But sometimes "bad" just means the hotel wasn't well suited to you. The location wasn't right, the available room type didn't meet your needs, the view wasn't what you had hoped for or the hotel lacked a certain amenity you were expecting and greatly missed (like a closed pool). A hotel may even leave a bad impression if you find out later that you overpaid for the stay or if the staff simply were unkind.
So how can you avoid choosing the wrong hotel for your stay? Here are some basic tips to employ every time you research a property for an upcoming trip.
Related: The Best Hotel Chains for Families
Research the Options
Even if you don't have a ton of time on your hands, try to carve out a few minutes to do some basic research on hotel choices for your destination. Consider the following factors:
- hotel brand
- price (cash or points)
- location
- room type
- amenities
- cancellation policy
Narrow Down Your Pick of Hotel Brands
Generally speaking, you'll usually have an idea of the hotel chain or chains to consider based on your elite status (or status that you're working to attain) or your rewards points balance with those programs, assuming those things matter to you. You may ultimately select a hotel outside of your usual brand loyalties, but looking at what's available under the umbrella of your favorite chain(s) is always a good place to begin.
Set a Budget
Whether you plan to pay with cash or points, set the budget you'd like to stick to. It will help rule out hotels so you don't waste time researching a spot that's beyond your budget. Once you pick a hotel, it pays to be aware of any Best Rate Guarantee program so you can get take advantage of the best rate possible.
Related: The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2019
Location, Location, Location
Next, focus on location. Being in a vibrant or charming neighborhood can go a long way toward improving your opinion of any hotel. Staying close to the sights you wish to visit means you aren't wasting time commuting from one part of the city to another. Being further out of a city center can work to your advantage on the pricing side, but make sure you can easily get from the hotel to all the spots on your trip agenda. Is the hotel near public transportation or are there ride-sharing services to call upon?
Also make sure the hotel is where you think it is. It may have "beach" in its name, but is it right on the beach or just nearby, necessitating getting in and out a car while you are all wet and sandy? It pays to double-check the specifics.
Once you have a shortlist of hotels, pop the addresses into Google Maps to see what else is in the immediate area. A hotel down the street from a grocery store, for example, will make it easy to stock up on drinks and food for the room. A quick glance at the map can also show if the hotel really is in the middle of nowhere and not your best choice for this particular stay.
What Room Types Are Available?
Do a quick search of your dates to see which room types are available. Do they match your requirements? If you're traveling on business and need to work in the room, you'll probably want a room with a desk. Visiting the hotel with your kids? You're probably looking for a spacious room with two queen-size beds or even a two-room suite.
If the view from the room matters to you, be sure to select the category that punches that button. In other words, if you have your heart set on a mountain-view or ocean-view room, book that. Don't book an entry-level "no view" room and hope to be upgraded -- that can be a recipe for disappointment.
A hotel might appear perfect in all other aspects but you might need to cross it off your shortlist if it doesn't have an available room that meets your core requirements.
Do the Amenities Match Your Needs?
Finally, does the property offer the amenities that you want and need? Plenty of hotel chains offer free breakfast. If that's important to you, be sure it's included in the room rate. If you're traveling with your family and a kids club is important, make sure one is on site and find out if it's free of charge or fee-based.
Book hotels with service standards that match your expectations. Note that if your expectations are high, you may need to pay more -- via cash or points -- for that level of service.
Book hotels with the amenities you want and will actually use. If you always have a glass of wine at the bar before heading out for dinner, make sure your chosen property has a bar with hours that match when you want to be there. (Or choose Kimpton which has a free evening wine hour.) At the same time, don't be lured by benefits that won't help you. If you always sleep late on vacation, that "free" breakfast that the hotel stops serving at 9:30am won't help you at all.
What's the Cancellation Policy?
Make a note of the cancellation policy -- whether you're on a paid or points rate. (And make sure to ask the question: Are hotel stays booked with points refundable?) Hopefully your trip will happen as scheduled, but life also happens and it's good to understand what your options are if you end up having to cancel your stay. Some hotels have a big cash penalty for a cancelled award stay (ahem, some St. Regis ski properties), so read the fine print carefully.
Seek Out Firsthand Reviews
Once you've got a list of two or three hotels you're considering for your trip, the easiest way to avoid picking a bad option is to talk with other travelers who've stayed there recently.
Ask your circle of friends first — preferably the ones who share your travel philosophy. Then extend that to posting a question either at the TPG Lounge or TPG Family Facebook groups. Members of these private groups are hard-core travelers who are happy to share their thoughts on the hotels they've loved and the ones they wish they had taken a pass on.
You can also check to see if a site you trust (like The Points Guy) has done a recent review, so you can get detailed first-hand info.
There are also plenty of sites that publish traveler reviews. TripAdvisor is a major player in that arena. The best way to use that platform, and steer clear of any less-than-helpful reviews, is to follow your friends and trusted travel writers there. Then, when you're researching hotels and restaurants at the site, reviews written by people you follow will be called out so you can see what they think about the venue.
Next, consider reviews at hotel websites like Marriott. When you search for a hotel and click on the "Reviews" link, you're reading comments from travelers who actually stayed at the property and responded to Marriott's online satisfaction survey after their visit. For that reason, the comments are pretty candid and talk about real-world issues encountered at the hotel, like wonky air-conditioning, a long wait at check-in or an underwhelming breakfast buffet.
Weigh the Pros and Cons, Then Book
Once you've got a handle on all of these factors, weigh the pros and cons of each hotel, choose one and book. Doing even just a little bit of research and getting the opinion of someone who's visited the property will go a long way to ensure you don't pick a bad apple in the bunch.
Bottom Line
Have you ever ended up in a terrible hotel despite all your efforts to pick the best option for the trip? What was the hotel's issue(s) and how do you avoid a repeat of that scenario in the future? We'd love to hear your hotel selection tips in the comments.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.