What to look for in a hotel?
Staying at a good hotel when you travel really can make a big difference to your travel experience.
I have stayed at countless hotels and Airbnbs over the years, ranging from the most basic places costing less than US$10 per night to rooms going for well over US$1000 per night.
And the more time I spend traveling (or maybe just the older I get?), the pickier I get about the hotels I choose to book.
Hotels.com did an interesting study about what really matters to travelers when it comes to finding that perfect hotel room. And the results might surprise you!
It’s not the fast hotel wifi or a delicious breakfast that matters most. Instead, travelers care much more about cleanliness and friendliness.
So before you book your next trip, check out these five things travelers say make for a perfect hotel stay and a perfect hotel room.
5 Things to Look for When Booking a Hotel: What Matters Most to Travelers
1. Check Hotel Room Cleanliness: The #1 Priority for Travelers
Travelers find a clean hotel and a clean hotel room the most important thing by far.
And could you disagree? Mold in the shower, urine stains on the toilet seat or a dead cockroach under the bed… I have seen it all, and it definitely ruined my stay at those hotels!
Nothing feels better than coming home to a beautiful, comfortable hotel room after a day out exploring.
Check reviews on Google maps, on Booking.com, or wherever you book your hotels. The reviews will without a doubt include information about how clean (or not) the hotel is.
2. Why Friendly Hotel Staff Can Make or Break Your Stay
This was a surprise to me. Even though I really appreciate friendly and helpful staff in a hotel (or friendly homeowners at an Airbnb), I didn’t expect this to rank number two in things people look for in a hotel.
More so than any facilities the hotel offers, travelers care about how friendly the staff is.
“The fact that staff friendliness plays such an important role in guest satisfaction shows that, as intrinsically social creatures, we love to be greeted with a smile and a chat. It makes us feel welcome and part of the group.” says consumer psychologist Simon Moore, who led the study.
3. Look for a Comfortable Bed (And Don’t Forget the Pillows)
Now this is actually one of the things I look forward to most when I check in to my hotel room: testing out the bed.
Nothing beats a large, comfortable bed that just makes you want to stay in your hotel room all day.
We’ve all stayed in places where the bed has been substandard, and it’s amazing how a bad night’s sleep can make the next day a real struggle.
And it’s not just the bed. The pillows and blankets can make a huge difference as well.
I once stayed at a resort with a “pillow menu”: a list of pillows to choose from to make sure you get to sleep on your perfect pillow.
So yes, if you ask me how to choose a hotel, I would definitely say check reviews about the quality of the beds before you book!
4. How to Choose a Hotel in the Right Location
The location is, of course, one of the things to consider when booking a hotel.
Although maybe once or twice I have stayed at a hotel just because the hotel was an incredible experience, normally you book a hotel room because you want to (or have to) visit a certain place.
Location being in the top 5 of things to look for when booking a hotel, therefore, is obvious. But, don’t underestimate how difficult it can be to find out if a hotel’s location actually works for you.
I have stayed at hotels that I thought were close to where I wanted to be, but then turned out to be either farther away than I thought, next to public transportation that just didn’t run when I needed it to run, or close to where I wanted to be but in an unsafe part of town.
Read plenty of reviews from other travelers to prevent these mistakes. And, be careful when booking a hotel that has hardly any reviews (yet).
5. How to Know if a Hotel Offers Good Value for Money
Of course, nobody likes to pay too much for their hotel room (or for anything, really). So the fact that good value for money is an important factor when rating a hotel stay makes complete sense to me.
I don’t mind splurging on a hotel room, but it better be a great experience then!
Expensive hotels aren’t always better than budget hotels, and a cheap hotel room isn’t always a bad hotel room.
So, check what others have to say about the hotel room you are about to book. They will most likely mention whether it was worth the money or not.
Also Read: Cheap Extended Stay Hotels in the USA
Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Hotel Room
1. Use Filters Wisely When Searching
On hotel booking platforms such as Booking.com or Expedia, use filters to narrow down your priorities.
Most platforms offer you a wide range of filters such as price, ratings from previous guests, or amenities like air conditioning or free cancellation.
For me, guest ratings are the most important filter when choosing a hotel. Over the years, I’ve learned that when I ignore a low rating and give a property the benefit of the doubt, I almost always end up regretting it.
2. Read Recent Reviews First
Conditions at a hotel can change quickly. Therefore, always sort reviews by “most recent” to get an up-to-date impression of what to expect.
I find it so annoying that booking engines will generally show you the more positive reviews first. If you just quickly scan those, you’ll assume the hotel is great, even if it might not be…
3. Look at Guest Photos
Hotel marketing photos can be so misleading!
Guest-uploaded photos give you a more realistic view of the room size, cleanliness, and facilities.
4. Contact the Hotel With Questions
If something’s unclear (like the exact location, bed type, or late check-in), reach out. Hotels that respond quickly are often better at service in general.
5. Check the Location on Google Maps
Don’t rely solely on the hotel’s description of the location.
I love to use Street View to see the neighborhood and make sure it’s convenient and safe.
6. Avoid Rooms Near Elevators or Ice Machines
If you’re a light sleeper, request a quiet room in advance. Ideally, go for a room on a higher floor and away from common areas that get foot traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Hotel Room?
Cleanliness, staff friendliness, a comfortable bed, a good location, and value for money are among the most important things to check. Reviews and guest photos are your best tools.
Also Read: Is Hotel WiFi Safe? Tips to Protect Your Data in Hotels
How Can I Tell if a Hotel Room Will Be Clean?
Always read guest reviews across multiple platforms.
If several recent guests mention cleanliness, good or bad, it’s probably accurate.
Is the Hotel’s Location Really That Important?
Yes! A beautiful hotel far from where you want to be (or in a sketchy area) can ruin your experience.
Double-check travel times and the hotel’s surroundings using Google Maps.
Do More Expensive Hotels Always Offer a Better Experience?
Not necessarily. Many budget hotels offer excellent value.
Look for consistent high ratings in the areas that matter to you, especially cleanliness and service.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Hotel?
It depends on the season and the location, but generally, 3–6 weeks ahead gives you the best balance of choice and price.
Last-minute deals can work, but they are riskier.
Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Right Hotel Room for You
Choosing the right hotel room can make or break your travel experience, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you focus on the things that matter most, like cleanliness, a comfortable bed, friendly staff, a good location, and value for money, you’re much more likely to enjoy your stay.
Be sure to take those extra steps too: read through recent reviews, pay attention to guest ratings, and check if your hotel offers the facilities that matter most to you (free wifi? a complimentary breakfast? quiet rooms with a great view? or maybe even a gorgeous swimming pool?)
The short FAQ section I added above answers some of the most common hotel booking questions I get from other travelers.
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a longer stay, these simple checks can help you feel confident in your choice and make your trip go a lot more smoothly.
Happy travels!
Are you traveling on a budget? Then read about the pros and cons of staying in hostels.
Also Check Out:
- My hotel reviews & recommendations all over the world
- Why You Should Stay at a Parador Hotel in Spain at Least Once
- 10 Tips on How to Find the Cheapest Flights
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As an older traveller of 63 I totally agree with these points on comfort, cleanliness & most important friendliness. No one wants a miserable host, it ruins your stay.
You made a great point about how trying out the bed in your hotel room is one of the things you most anticipate doing when you check-in. For our next summer trip, my husband and I are looking for a suitable motel to stay at. Because the purpose of a vacation is to rest, I believe having a comfortable bed would be a major benefit. A decent bed would make relaxing much simpler.
I appreciate that you mentioned that trying out the bed in your hotel room is one of the things you most anticipate. For our next summer trip, my husband and I are looking for a suitable motel to stay at. Because the purpose of our vacation is to rest, I believe having a comfortable bed would be a major benefit. A decent bed would make relaxing much simpler.
Although I am aware of how important location is when looking for lodging, I had no idea how difficult it might be to find. I appreciate you saying to check reviews and to be cautious when booking a place to stay if there are few ratings. I’ll keep this in mind.
Sanne, this was a fascinating read! I feel that when people go out for fun on vacations, they prefer hotel accommodations that are closer to beautiful locations. However, it is critical to look for the best amenities as well as services offered at a reasonable price. Furthermore, I feel that as a result of the Covid scare, people are prioritizing cleanliness and social distance while traveling.
I’m planning to surprise my wife with a tour vacation package on our 10th wedding anniversary next month. I like that you talked about checking the location of the hotel is an important consideration to think of so that it would be accessible anytime through various modes of transportation.
I thought it was interesting that consumers found staff friendliness to be one of the most important things to them, but it also makes a lot of sense. My sister has been looking for a hotel to stay at when she visits the coast, and she has been wondering about what she should be looking for. I will be sure to forward this article to her, so that she can have a better guide for things that a hotel should have.
I like that you said that one of the things you look forward to the most when you check-in to your hotel room is testing out the bed. My husband and I are looking for a good motel to stay at for our next vacation this summer. I think that having a comfy bed would be a big plus because the point of a vacation is to relax, and having a good bed would make that a whole lot easier to do.