When planning a trip, the most crucial factor to consider is accommodation; however, booking a hotel is no longer tricky. Thanks to the online booking websites, you can easily find the room you want. You can filter the results based on your requirements and pick the best option. However, rushing through the process or not evaluating the options are blunders that could ruin your stay. So, here are a few mistakes to avoid:

Not checking reviews
It is important to do your own research before booking a room. So, make sure you check what the guests have to say about the hotel. Popular websites like TripAdvisor have customer reviews and ratings that will help you understand what to expect if you choose a particular hotel. The negative feedback can also help you avoid a hotel. In this scenario, you should compare the number of positive and negative reviews. Always look for up-to-date feedback on the sites.

Booking at the wrong time
When looking for affordable rooms, timing is important. The off-season at a few popular locations is the best time to plan your vacation and book accommodations. The rates during these periods are relatively lower, allowing you to save money. However, booking at the last minute can be a huge mistake as hotels can charge an exorbitant amount for a stay that would have been so much cheaper when booked well in advance. Further, charges can skyrocket on holidays and during the tourist season. The rooms might also sell out quickly during these periods leaving you with less favorable options. For instance, booking a stay in Orlando during its off-season can fetch you the best prices. Alternatively, you can look up “cheap hotels Orlando” a few weeks before your trip. Room charges are affected by a variety of factors like location, seasonality, convention crowds, and even weather. So, start examining options at least 40 days prior to your trip and keep an eye on the trends so that you can book before the prices increase.

Opting for non-refundable stays
Have you ever wondered why non-refundable prices are lower than standard rates for the same room? This is because by securing your booking under non-refundable rates, the hotel ensures that there will be no unoccupied rooms, which would cost them money. Further, in trying to save money by booking a cheaper room, you can lose the entire amount if you want to cancel the trip or the stay. By choosing a refundable price, you might have to pay more, but you can get the amount back if you want to cancel. Also, if you book a room through a flash-sale site or an online travel agency (OTA), review the cancellation clause as the booking can be non-refundable. Further, you can find low rates for refundable options too. For instance, the theme-park city Orlando is a popular domestic destination. A lot of cheap hotels in Orlando offer refundable rates when booked in advance.

Only checking one website
It is common for new travel companies to provide larger discounts and earn less or no profit simply to get traction for their site. However, larger websites do not have to do this because they already have a large customer base. Some websites offer price comparisons to help you pick the most affordable option. If you only check a single website, you may miss out on finding the same room elsewhere at a lower rate. Further, you should use incognito mode on your browser while checking booking and price comparison sites, as they can use cookies to track the number of times you visit their page and start using dynamic pricing to change the charges.

Prioritizing the cost
You may believe that expensive rooms come with excellent service. However, higher costs do not guarantee great service, and cheap hotels can end up providing a five-star stay. If luxury is what you seek, there are many top-rated choices with lower charges. Alternatively, a low-cost room can deprive you of a comfortable stay if there are issues with the staff or cleanliness. Additionally, hotel booking websites and apps typically have their own rating system to assist you in making a selection based on different factors like hygiene, staff behavior, room service, comfort, and food, among others. So don’t base your decision only on price and book the first cheap Orlando hotel you find.

Not using credit cards
Credit cards not only provide benefits such as airline miles, free night stays, or cash back, but they also offer guarantees, unlike debit cards and cash, like fraud protection and instant reimbursements if overcharged. If you use a debit card, most hotels will request an incidental deposit to protect themselves from overdraft costs in case the account has inadequate funds.

For a lot of people traveling with kids, Orlando is the top choice. However, despite the luxury and attractiveness of the city’s resorts, most people plan their holidays on a budget. This is why many cheap hotels in Orlando come with pools, hot tubs, and complimentary breakfast. Some cheap Orlando hotels are also close to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and Disney World, as well as the airport and restaurants. You might want to check out the inexpensive options like Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel, which comes with an outdoor pool and cabanas, two restaurants, and a coffee shop. The rooms also come with their own fridge and microwave.