Most people love surprises. They just don't want the type that will make them uncomfortable, or worse, scare them. This is true especially when they are in a new place, a foreign land and with no family or friend to turn to especially if this involves where to lay one's head when nighttime comes. So even if one does not have the luxury of time to do all the necessary travel preparations, last minute plans to find the best hotel deals is a must. And with all the available resources such as the internet, technology and social media, finding the best hotel accommodation that suits one's needs has also become more viable for everyone except those that live in very remote areas.
Here are some practical ways to maneuver one's way towards a stress-free last minute travel plans:
1. Destination Website check – If it is a new place one is headed to, checking the tourism website of that place will provide helpful links to other websites that offer best hotel deals online. Any inquiries can be made by email, phone or even right on the website itself. Take note of festivals or activities in the said destination which can affect hotel occupancy and consequently rates, related promos and last minute deals.
2. Hotel Website check – Look out for off-peak rates and special promos when checking hotel websites which aim to provide the most suitable hotel accommodation to match one's specific needs. Some of these last minute deals may not be published online so calling the hotel directly or availing of their online chat service might help.
3. Travel Website check – Sites like Smarter Travel, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak, CheapOstay, Agoda (for Asia), Booking (for Europe, ME, and Africa), Air BnB, and many others provide not just hotel deals but also other alternative accommodations that can provide fallback just in case the hotel one is eyeing for does not meet the required price point, availability, location and amenities. It is recommended that you choose a travel website that specializes on, and is therefore located in, the region you are interested to travel for obvious reasons.
4. Social Media check – Twitter, Facebook, and a host of other social media sites can connect one to people living or has visited the place one intends to travel to, and also to the hotel itself, if they have this service available. Aside from asking around for last minute hotel deals by checking travel and special interest groups, one can also get a sense of the place, the activities, and insider scoop on newly offered deals. Some hotels will also be able to provide real-time advice via such media.
5. Actual Ocular check – If, for some reason, all other methods fail to provide a pre-arrival accommodation and one finds himself already in the place, the next best thing is to go to the physical location of the hotel and ask for the best package they have for someone on a whim, or rather someone who was thrust into the situation, and has no place to stay for the night. Then negotiate the best rate possible.
As our world becomes more borderless, traveling has become more of a necessity rather than a luxury. And as technology becomes more fluid, more and more people will be able to book their own trips and accommodations via online websites and other means. The ease of real-time communication will drive better deals that are designed to make traveling available and affordable for all.
Martin Wynn
