The Quick And Easy Way I Find Cheap Hotels (It’s Really Simple!)
There’s something undeniably appealing about staying in a hotel when travelling – a spotless room, a cosy bed, a workspace, an iron, a powerful shower, and those little toiletries we sometimes “borrow”.
While I enjoy the charm of hostels (and the price!), hotels offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle, and it’s nice to indulge sometimes in their luxury.
However, luxury costs money, and for that reason hotels tend to be expensive.
I personally hate paying loads for a room that I’ll only use for a brief period, which is why I don’t always opt for hotels; Hostels do the job, and I can spend more money on the stuff that matters–exploring!
Ideally, you get the luxury of a hotel room, without having to pay fortunes–if you know how to look properly, it’s possible.
Most people head to a site like booking.com, which is a good option, and one I use a lot, but don’t underestimate Google for finding cheap hotels.
Let me explain.
How To Find And Book Cheap Hotels
Here’s how to easily find the cheapest hotel in one simple step:
Google your desired location, for example “Amsterdam hotels.”
As simply as that, Google is then going to display results, pulled from all the major booking websites, in one place, with the ability to see the cheapest options.
From there, you can go directly to that site and make your booking–it’s as easy as that.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1:
After searching, click on the “See More” button at the bottom of the first results section to access Google’s hotel search hub.
Step 2:
Now, input your dates and use filters to refine your search until you find a suitable hotel, within your budget. You can sort by price, and even view a map to select a hotel based on location.
Click on “what you’ll pay” to see pricing trends for your dates.
Step 3:
Once you’ve found a hotel, click “view prices” to see all booking options. Choose the lowest rate and book through that website. It’s worth noting that the top results may be ads, so scroll down to see the best budget options.
Step 4:
- Before booking, I always do the following to guarantee the best price:
- Contact the hotel directly: Call the hotel and ask if they can match the price you found online (they often will, as it saves them commission fees). If the hotel is part of a global chain, booking directly also allows you to earn loyalty points and status.
- Use cashback websites: If the cheapest rate is available on Booking.com, for example, search for cashback offers (A quick “booking.com cashback” search will do it).
- Use discounts like AAA or AARP: Members of AARP or AAA can access special discounted rates. Anyone can join AARP for their fantastic travel perks, including deals on hotels and flights.
- Join loyalty programs: Booking.com and Hotels.com offer discounts and perks for members, so it’s worth signing up before making your reservation.
- Check HotelTonight for last-minute deals: If you’re flexible and can wait until after 4pm on the day of your stay, you might find last-minute deals with savings of up to 50%.
- Buy someone else’s reservation on Roomer: Sometimes travellers can’t cancel their hotel reservations and sell them at a discount on Roomer, so it’s worth a quick check.
You don’t need to spend ages tracking hotel prices–in my experience they tend to be more stable than airline fares, so following the steps above should be enough to secure you the best deals!
