My Guide to Booking Cheap Accommodation on the Internet
Many times have I gone away in the past (not for very long I might add ) to indulge in a city break and fresh surroundings. My line of work running a backpackers hostel is pretty much a 7 day a week job and as my mother always says, “A change is as good a rest.” Taking her advice, I like to have 4 day trips to a city and alternate the trips; one in the UK, one in Europe. 4 days by the way is perfect for me – I can hit any city in that time including all the main sights I want to see.
When it comes to travelling always remember the main costs Travel, Accommodation and Food (TAF).
It is the middle one which I will concentrate on.
I always tell myself that I have worked very hard lately so deserve more expensive accommodation and that due to my kid-less status now is the time to spend money on myself because I will not have the means when I acquire dependents. I do not listen to myself however and opt for more wallet friendly accommodation.
Taking my laptop I quickly head for Google and enter cheap accommodation in (let’s say) Cardiff. A couple of good companies I go for is Hostelworld and Hostelbookers. Not because I particularly book through them but because of their very fair and reliable review process. Guests who have ACTUALLY STAYED in these places leave their scores and comments about the hostel or budget hotel they have been to.
Too many sites these days are open to abuse. From the point of view of the guest it is very easy to go onto a site if you are a owner and leave a good fake review. From the point of view of the owner it is easy for a guest who you have had to charge for a late cancellation to leave a bad review.
On HostelBookers or Hostelworld, I never stay in a place with anything less than a 85% rating. Less than that and you are talking having to wear flip-flops in the shower to keep your feet clean.
Once I have selected a suitable inn I then contact the establishment directly. Not a lot of people know that by booking through an agent it costs the owners between 10 and 15 % as an agent fee. By contacting them directly I have a lot more room to ask for a discount because I know they will not be paying the agent.
