How long do you spend researching hotels?
 

I've noticed I have spent hours researching the hotels we are looking at going to (most are considered 5 star properties and are not exactly cheap so I want to make sure we are getting exactly what we want). Does anyone else spend this much time researching high-end hotels? There has to be a better way than spending this much time on the internet?!

I think it's an excellent way to spend time on the internet -lol.

@suze :) You don't ever get frustrated with the amount of information, though? Maybe it's just because I'm semi new to planning travel. I don't know what reviews are real and which are fake and it's just taking a long time to sort through it all.

Basically I do exactly what Marvelousmouse suggested. The only things I add is I'll look at Google Streetview to get a feel for the area. Not much point being "near" the sites if you're in a car only high traffic zone that makes walking dangerous.

But location first. Then read the bad reviews. Decide if they matter to me. Then back to location -)

hi- nope I don't get frustrated. But I don't try to evaluate every last possibility. Maybe this will help...

Say I was going to Paris or Amsterdam for the first time. I would first get a good paper street map of the city to work from. Then do a little research in a guidebook from the library &/or online forums to figure out what general neighborhood in a central area I wanted to stay in.

For Paris I pick the 5th arrondissement (maybe 4 or 6). For Amsterdam I choose canal rings, Leidseplein or near Vondelpark. and I know I need a room priced under 200 euro per night. and I in theory i know my dates of travel.

Now yes a little bit of research in the specific area I want (using a general website like hotels or booking dot com to get started) and fairly quickly pick 3-4 finalist hotels, only then read the Reviews on those. So see I'm not looking at every single hotel in all of greater Paris :-) I'm not even trying to sort through the huge amount of information available... so it's really not overwhelming at all.

And it's easy to get the hang of reviews. Fake ones put up by the business or friends. People who always hate everywhere and everything. "One post wonders" i.e., a screen name with only one post every either wildly for or against something.

good luck, have fun!

marvelousmouse~ great story about the 4Seasons Seattle. and so true about reviews.

does the person posting sound sane? do you care about the same things they do? that's my criteria!!

Usually I like to see real foto from Google maps and I think tripadvisor is very helpful.

When looking at hotels I prioritize based on 3 criteria in order:

1. Distance from city center/attractions
2. Price
3. Tripadvisor Reviews

The first two don't take very long at all, especially if you're using Hotels.com or Kayak. I then scan a good sample of TripAdvisor reviews. Time would be better spent studying your destination IMO. To each his own I guess.

I (honestly) do not understand your angst over this - enough to start two threads re similar 'issues' https://www.fodors.com/community/tra...ay-at-1665316/

You decide WHERE you want to go, then google what hotels are in the area. Two properties - one having 90% 5 star reviews won't be that much different than one with 87% 5 stars. Look at the rates, a few photos, street view on google map . . . and pull the trigger. Sounds like you are trying to make a career out of it.

A lot of the time, I book a hotel recommended by a Fodorite whose opinions I trust. Over the years, I know by their other posts if our travel styles mesh enough to know that a hotel they love is one I would love too.

If I'm using points, a lot depends on how many points per night are needed and how close I really need to be. I love points but hate "spending" points. In the past there were really good Hilton points deals and I would plan an entire vacation around bonus weeks - example a week in Hawaii. That's not the case now.

In other cases, I use reviews to get an idea of two or three hotels that may work and then dive in deeper to study those choices. No matter what reviews or search engines I've used, I always book directly with the hotel. Most of the time, I'm thrilled with my choices.

I "knew" for years, that I would be staying in goddesstogo's favorite hotel (and room) in Venice on the Grand Canal. Unfortunately, it was completely sold out for my dates. I used a search engine to find options within a price range, canal view, etc. and then whatever other factors were important to me. I found a hotel I LOVED but it was a bit of a splurge on that trip. Another hotel on that trip, I'd read a recommendation on slowtravel at least 15 years prior and knew I'd stay there. Ditto Capri. Once I found the hotel, it felt right - and it was better than I imagined.

I don't spend hours and days and definitely don't spend time second-guessing. I do like to have balconies, terraces, etc. if possible.

I don't really spend so much time looking for a place to stay, it depends of the city and dates. Normally I use booking for it and also I check travel blogs to find a perfect hotel or hostel for me.

Like others here, I enjoy the research. I also have a list of priorities that matter for my husband and myself. We enjoy a balcony with a view, and make it a priority over other things, like breakfast reviews (or even having breakfast available). We also like to be able to walk to town for dinner or shopping. So we put those amenities higher on our list than others.
We have friends that would rather spend money on good food or upgrade their seat in the flight, and don't care what's out their window of the hotel.
So list your priorities, and don't read all the reviews! Do look at some of those that rated the hotel poorly, but look at their reasons, and realize some people will always find something to grumble about.

Starrs, I remember you picking hotels for Italy. The splurge one since you saved so much on the villa. I look at the location, husband does google street maps. My travel friends leave it to me to pick houses and apartments which cause me great angst till they get there and approve. I send links and they are like we trust you. Next trip I have three hotel stays but the one in Munich was all about location for Christmas markets. One night was a layover so picked a hotel airport and another night needed one close to train bu nice restaurants. We could have used points but was a hike from the train station. I think that is my big criteria. Houses are all about the beds and bathrooms plus washing machine. We lucked out on one in Ireland that had a washing machine and a dryer. In summer I love a terrace or balcony. I take reviews with a grain of salt. I think with hotels you can be a bit more honest. I want a good review back on airb&b and VRBO. I have privately told owners about their airb&b sitters and cleaning and they have thanked me. Our last place in Paris had several broken things and the person that met us didn't know how to work anything. I gave up on oven but did figure out washing machine and tv on my own. Just give me the wifi code and leave dude. He was useless. Planning is so much fun and we all have our own systems.

Hi floridasun,

Like so many folks who posted above, I do spend a fair amount of time in the research, and I do LOVE doing it.

I discovered about a decade ago that having a great view is my biggest priority -- and I discovered that with a Paris apartment rental on a narrow street with direct views into an apartment on the other side of the street. It actually had an impact on my mood during my stay, so now I research the views assiduously. This preference may also stem from the fact that I live in the Alps, and the views from every window of my apartment are postcard perfect. I would not enjoy a vacation that offered worst views....

I start with a map, usually Google map, and then look for hotels in the area. I love being by the water, so I locate the hotels or apartments that are next to the lake or river or sea. Then to booking dot com and do a search, and use the map to select a few. Then I look through all the photos, looking most intently at what the windows in the rooms reveal.

I tell you honestly that I don't care much if the staff is rude or helpful...I'm a big girl, and a capable girl, and I can usually get my needs and wants addressed, one way or another.

I do look for some specific items in the reviews, such as how far to walk to restaurants and shops, if the facilities were broken, if the breakfast is extensive or bare, where the transport links are, etc.

And I do enjoy all the planning -- I get to take a mini, vicarious vacation while I research, as I picture myself in the hotel, walking on the street, standing by the window and enjoying the view. It's all fun.

I am a bit baffled by your comment that, because you are paying for 5-star properties, you want to get what you want.... Do you imagine that people with a lower budget are happy getting ripped off? That people with, perhaps, less disposable income are happy to spend it on a hotel they don't enjoy?

Anyway... Hope you do find great properties as a result of your hard work!

s

Swandav, perfect!! I love planning. Sea views and mountains are the best.

I so agree Macross! I was late to the game of realizing what I want in vacation accommodation. Some folks want an attentive staff or free parking or a.c. or soft beds and lots of pillows. For me it's views/location! Wish I's figured that out earlier.

s

Depending on where I'm going will determine how much time I need to spend on looking for a hotel online. Since I use Expedia the most, I just type in the destination and then click on whatever star category I'm looking for for whatever particular trip and then take it from there.

Over the last forty-six years of overseas travel, I've stayed at everything from 0-star-5-star hotels depending on where I'm going. Of course before internet, I used travel books back in my teen years and early adult years which took a lot of time. I started the solo international travel at age 17. So, I've stayed in a lot of hotels of which the vast majority I have selected and booked myself.

As far as hotel reviews, I read them, but they usually aren't the determining factor when it comes to my final selection. As for the 5-stars, I've stayed at a lot of them and thus am pretty familiar with the chain ones around the world and since I'm a Four Seasons person, if there's one in a destination to which I’m going and if the price is what I'll pay, then that's where I'll most likely be except for in European cities where they're priced really high. In that case, I usually end up in 3-4 star hotels. But, in S.E. Asia, it's a different story and I’ve even gotten 5-stars in Japan for less than the price of 5-stars in European cities. Since I'm on vacations for long stretches of time, I usually mix up the class of the hotels that I'll be staying in, on the same trip, as I like variety.

I basically look at price, sometimes location, service, buffet breakfast included if possible, size of the hotel, and also take into consideration how many nights I will be staying. If a hotel is too massive in size and too glitzy, then I will most likely eliminate it unless it’s the best choice to meet my other needs.

Happy Travels!

In my experience it's not the staff that's rude. I've seen some out right outrageous behaviour by guests towards staff. I've also been fawned over by staff that the reviews label rude and unhelpful.