{"id":44,"date":"2026-10-30T01:13:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T01:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/?p=44"},"modified":"2026-10-30T02:55:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T02:55:39","slug":"how-i-research-and-choose-hotels-for-a-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/?p=44","title":{"rendered":"How I Research and Choose Hotels for a Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Choosing a hotel can be one of my most time-consuming\u2014parts of planning a trip. Sometimes the choice is obvious – like when there’s limited options visiting a National Park or I have a ton of Hyatt points and the Hyatt option is super convenient and a good points redemption point value. Sometimes it’s difficult – like choosing a hotel in Tokyo for our upcoming trip to Japan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll admit, I can spend hours comparing hotels, looking at maps, reading reviews, and checking prices. But I don’t just look for the prettiest hotel or the lowest nightly rate. I want to find a place that makes the entire trip easier, fits my budget, and gives me a comfortable place to return to after a full day of exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also love finding ways to use hotel points and travel rewards to reduce the cost of a trip. Sometimes that means booking a hotel with points, and sometimes paying cash is actually the better deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, I’ve developed a process for researching and comparing hotels that helps me narrow down the choices without getting completely lost in the options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how I do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Figure Out Where I Actually Want to Stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before I start browsing hotel websites, I look at the itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where will I be spending most of my time? What neighborhoods or areas make the most sense? Will I primarily be walking, using public transportation, driving, or taking day trips?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location is usually one of my biggest considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hotel might look like a bargain, but if it’s a 30-minute train ride from the places I want to visit, that savings might not be worth the extra time and transportation costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to look for accommodations that make it easy to get around without constantly backtracking. In larger cities, being near a convenient train or subway station can make a huge difference. For road trips, I might prioritize easy parking, convenient highway access, or a location that makes sense for the next day’s drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also consider what I want nearby. Restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, and coffee shops can make a stay much easier, especially when I’m traveling somewhere unfamiliar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My tip:<\/strong> Choose your general location before choosing your hotel. It will eliminate a surprising number of options that might look appealing online but don’t make sense for your actual trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Research the Neighborhood, Not Just the Hotel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once I’ve identified a few promising areas, I spend time looking at the neighborhoods themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I use Google Maps to explore the surrounding streets, check walking distances, and see what’s nearby. Street View can be particularly helpful when I’m unfamiliar with a destination. It will give me a sense for the general neighborhood vibe and what is nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Is the hotel close to public transportation? If so, which lines?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Are there restaurants and places to grab a quick meal nearby?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Is there a grocery or convenience store nearby? I especially love visiting grocery stores abroad!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Is it convenient to the attractions I plan to visit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Is the neighborhood somewhere I’d enjoy walking around?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Will I need a rental car, or can I get around easily without one?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    I also look at how far the hotel is from the airport or train station if applicable, particularly when arriving late or leaving early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For some trips, being in the middle of everything is worth paying a little more. For others, a quieter neighborhood with good transportation connections is a better fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There’s no universal best location. It really depends on what you want to do during the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 3: Make a Shortlist of Hotels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once I know where I want to stay, I start comparing actual hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since I frequently like to use points and miles for hotel stays I will usually start with searching Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG sites first. Oftentimes I will find a hotel that I can use points that fits my needs. Sometimes that’s harder or it’s a location that doesn’t have the major hotel chains available. I run into this a lot when visiting National Parks, the Oregon Coast, and small towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Occasionally I’ll check my credit card travel portals, especially if I have hotel credit to use or am looking for a certain property that isn’t part of the big chains. For instance, I’m looking for a ryokan for the two nights we’ll be in Takayama next year – specifically for the traditional Japanese hotel experience and just a place to sleep. Even though there are points options in town I am not interested in booking them – but I am definitely going to check the travel portals when the dates show up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I also pay attention to the type of property. A full-service hotel, boutique hotel, extended-stay property, and vacation rental can offer very different experiences. Occasionally an AirBnb or VRBO property might make sense, especially when I know I’ll need to do laundry or require parking for a rental car downtown Washington DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For a shorter stay, convenience and location might win out over any other luxuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I try to compare properties that offer a similar experience rather than getting distracted by hotels that are completely different in price or style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Step 4: Read Reviews Carefully<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Hotel photos are designed to make a property look appealing. Reviews help me figure out what it’s actually like to stay there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I look at recent reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, and major booking platforms. I don’t get too caught up in one particularly good or bad review. Instead, I look for patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If multiple guests mention slow elevators, noisy rooms, uncomfortable beds, or inconsistent housekeeping, I’ll pay attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I also look for positive comments that align with what matters to me. Is the staff helpful? Are the rooms clean? Is the location convenient? Are the beds comfortable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A beautiful hotel with consistently poor reviews isn’t necessarily a good choice, regardless of the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My tip:<\/strong> Sort reviews by most recent and look for repeated comments rather than basing your decision on a single review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 5: Compare Room Types and What’s Included<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once I’ve narrowed down my options, I look more closely at the actual rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Not all hotel rooms are created equal, even within the same property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I compare room size, bed configuration, views, bathroom setup, and included amenities. If I’m staying for several nights, having enough room to unpack and move around comfortably becomes more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I also check what’s included in the nightly rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some things I look for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Breakfast<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wi-Fi<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Parking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Resort or destination fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Access to hotel facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Laundry options<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Refrigerator or kitchenette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      These details can change the overall cost significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For example, a hotel that costs a little more but includes breakfast might actually be the better value. On the other hand, I don’t want to pay extra for amenities I probably won’t use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I also read the cancellation policy carefully. A cheaper nonrefundable rate isn’t necessarily worth the risk if my plans might change. I almost always opt for a rate that is refundable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Step 6: Compare Paying Cash Versus Using Points<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This is where points and miles become an important part of my hotel research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If I have hotel points available, I always compare the cash rate with the number of points required for the same stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Sometimes a points redemption is an excellent deal. Other times, the hotel is inexpensive enough that paying cash makes more sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I use a simple calculation to help compare the options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Points value = (Cash price \u2212 taxes and fees avoided) \u00f7 Points required \u00d7 1,000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This gives me the approximate value per 1,000 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For example, let’s say a hotel costs $300 per night or 30,000 points. If the points booking avoids $30 in taxes and fees that I’d otherwise pay with cash, the calculation would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      ($300 \u2212 $30) \u00f7 30,000 \u00d7 1,000 = $9 per 1,000 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That means I’m getting approximately 0.9 cents per point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Whether that’s a good redemption depends on the hotel program, how I value those points, and what other opportunities I have to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I also consider the opportunity cost of using points. If I can get a great hotel stay with cash at a reasonable price, I might prefer to save my points for a more expensive property or a destination where hotel rates are unusually high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And don’t forget to compare the total cost. Taxes, resort fees, parking, and other charges can make a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      My tip:<\/strong> Never assume using points is automatically better than paying cash. Compare both options before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Step 7: Check Hotel Loyalty Programs and Credit Card Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Before making a final decision, I check whether any hotel loyalty programs or credit card benefits could improve the value of a stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Hotel loyalty programs can offer benefits such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Points earned on paid stays<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Free-night certificates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Complimentary breakfast at eligible properties<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Room upgrades, subject to availability and program rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Late checkout, subject to availability and program rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Other elite-status benefits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        I also look at whether a particular booking qualifies for the benefits I’m expecting. Not every third-party reservation earns hotel points or qualifies for elite benefits. In fact, booking third-party almost always means you won’t earn points so I don’t often use sites like booking.com for this reason. I definitely check my credit card company’s travel portals when I know I have a hotel cash credit though. Like the $300 credit I get every year with my Capital One Venture X card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If I’m considering transferring credit card points to a hotel program, I check the transfer ratio, any available transfer bonuses, and the actual room availability before transferring. I also consider if there’s a free night for an extended stay (fourth night free at IHG or fifth night free at Hilton and Marriott depending on your credit cards\/hotel status).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Transfer bonuses can make a redemption more attractive, but they don’t automatically turn a poor-value hotel into a good one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I also consider free-night certificates. Sometimes a certificate can be especially useful for a night when cash prices are high, even if I wouldn’t normally choose that property at its standard points price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The important thing is to look at the entire picture rather than focusing only on the number of points required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Step 8: Compare the Final Options Side by Side<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        By this point, I usually have a few hotels that I’d be happy staying in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Rather than continuing to search endlessly, I put the finalists side by side and compare the details that matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Here’s an example of how I might organize my research:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What I compare<\/th>Hotel A<\/th>Hotel B<\/th>Hotel C<\/th><\/tr>
        Location<\/td>Excellent<\/td>Good<\/td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr>
        Cash price<\/td>$250<\/td>$190<\/td>$310<\/td><\/tr>
        Points required<\/td>25,000<\/td>35,000<\/td>30,000<\/td><\/tr>
        Transit access<\/td>Excellent<\/td>Good<\/td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr>
        Breakfast<\/td>Included<\/td>Extra<\/td>Included<\/td><\/tr>
        Reviews<\/td>Very good<\/td>Good<\/td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        These are hypothetical examples to illustrate the comparison process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I don’t necessarily choose the hotel with the highest review score or the lowest price. I choose the one that makes the most sense for the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sometimes that’s a familiar hotel chain where I can use points. Other times, it’s a smaller independent property in a fantastic location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I try to remember that the hotel is part of the overall travel experience, not the entire reason for the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Step 9: Book, Confirm, and Keep an Eye on Prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Once I’ve made my decision, I double-check the dates, room type, number of guests, cancellation policy, and total price before booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When possible, I compare the hotel’s direct booking price with third-party booking sites. Booking directly can make it easier to manage reservations and may provide access to loyalty benefits, although it’s worth comparing all the terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        After booking, I save the confirmation and note any cancellation deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If I’ve booked a refundable rate, I sometimes check prices again closer to the trip. If the rate drops, I can investigate whether it’s possible to cancel and rebook at the lower price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I don’t spend every day monitoring hotel prices, but a quick check when plans are still flexible can occasionally save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Final Thoughts: The Best Hotel Isn’t Always the Most Expensive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        I enjoy finding a great hotel deal, but I’ve learned that the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A convenient location can save hours of transportation time. A comfortable room can make a multi-day trip more enjoyable. And using points strategically can sometimes make a nicer hotel affordable when paying cash would be difficult to justify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        My goal is to find the right balance between location, comfort, convenience, and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I don’t need every hotel to be luxurious, and I don’t want to spend more on accommodations than necessary. I just want a place that works well for the trip I’m taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        That’s part of traveling smarter: knowing where to spend, where to save, and when to let those hard-earned points do some of the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Looking for more ways to plan smarter trips?<\/strong> Explore my other travel planning guides and points-and-miles tips here at Everyday to Everywhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Choosing a hotel can be one of my most time-consuming\u2014parts of planning a trip. Sometimes the choice is obvious – like when there’s limited options visiting a National Park or I have a ton of Hyatt points and the Hyatt option is super convenient and a good points redemption point value. Sometimes it’s difficult –…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel-planning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions\/50"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everydaytoeverywhere.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}