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10 reasons to choose the cheaper hotel
The quandary itself can feel like a moral dilemma. Websites are designed, whether intentionally or not, to encourage you to buy spendier things. You, the frugal shopper, click "List by Price - Ascending" and immediately assume that the first couple of options listed are below any discerning human being's taste level. For heaven's sake, some of them don't even include photos. Sound familiar? Well, stop right there and check in with what you already know: more expensive does not always mean better quality, and it certainly doesn't always mean better value for your dollar.
Before you go shelling out for your top or mid-range options, consider why you were shopping online in the first place: to get a good deal. As for that lack of photos, there can be any number of reasons a hotel booking company doesn't host the cheapest hotels' photographs ("the hotel didn't pay to have them hosted" is one of the most common), and you can certainly find photos of it on Flickr or TripAdvisor.
Even if you are looking for luxury, it's a mistake to assume that the most expensive hotel is going to be the best experience. Here are the 10 reasons to choose the cheaper hotel:
1. You can get a better room.
Do you want the tiniest room in the fanciest hotel, or a fabulous suite in a less expensive hotel? Think about it.
2. You're not going to spend that much time there.
Depending on what kind of trip you're taking, the hotel may just be a place to sleep. Of course you want it to be clean, but do you need twice daily turndowns and personal butler service just to store your clothes, crash there at night and shower in the morning? Consider.
3. It might be a discounted rate.
As mentioned above, you're looking for a deal. The less expensive hotels on your list may simply be offering a discount -- and normally, they'd be the very most expensive.
4. Location, location, location.
Before assuming that the most expensive hotel is the best hotel for you, look at the location. It may turn out that you wanted a beach vacation, and the more expensive hotels you were considering are located downtown in the business district. Furthermore, cool, up-and-coming neighborhoods often have up-and-coming hotels which haven't earned the right to overcharge you yet (but one day, they will, fear not).
5. You will never use that gym and you know it.
The pricier options may also feature amenities you just don't need, like a gym or a 24-hour concierge. If you weren't going to use those things and they make one hotel more expensive than the other ... you get the idea.
6. Airfare.
Airfare is more expensive than ever, and if you can lower the cost of your hotel, you may have a little more room in your budget to keep you off that rock-bottom, all-infant-red-eye flight.
7. Breakfast.
It's a well-known fact that the more expensive your hotel is, the more ridiculously they will charge you for coffee and a couple of eggs. Unless breakfast is included, you can pretty much assume it will cost you as much as a reasonable dinner at home at an ultra-luxe hotel. Cheaper hotels tend to have cheaper breakfasts.
8. Some places are just plain overpriced.
The most expensive hotels on your list may simply not be worth it. Big-name hotels, for example, can often charge more than a boutique hotel can, even though the boutique hotel offers more personalized service and authentic amenities and experiences. It takes a little time to investigate, but the cheapest hotel on your list may actually be the nicest.
9. Because you don't have to spend your whole vacation budget.
And, the least expensive hotel on your short list may be the most expensive hotel on someone else's.
10. Beer money.
Or wine money, cigar money, whatever your pleasure.
Photo by Annie Scott.
Depending on what kind of trip you're taking, the hotel may just be a place to sleep. Of course you want it to be clean, but do you need twice daily turndowns and personal butler service just to store your clothes, crash there at night and shower in the morning? Consider.
3. It might be a discounted rate.
As mentioned above, you're looking for a deal. The less expensive hotels on your list may simply be offering a discount -- and normally, they'd be the very most expensive.
4. Location, location, location.
Before assuming that the most expensive hotel is the best hotel for you, look at the location. It may turn out that you wanted a beach vacation, and the more expensive hotels you were considering are located downtown in the business district. Furthermore, cool, up-and-coming neighborhoods often have up-and-coming hotels which haven't earned the right to overcharge you yet (but one day, they will, fear not).
5. You will never use that gym and you know it.
The pricier options may also feature amenities you just don't need, like a gym or a 24-hour concierge. If you weren't going to use those things and they make one hotel more expensive than the other ... you get the idea.
6. Airfare.
Airfare is more expensive than ever, and if you can lower the cost of your hotel, you may have a little more room in your budget to keep you off that rock-bottom, all-infant-red-eye flight.
7. Breakfast.
It's a well-known fact that the more expensive your hotel is, the more ridiculously they will charge you for coffee and a couple of eggs. Unless breakfast is included, you can pretty much assume it will cost you as much as a reasonable dinner at home at an ultra-luxe hotel. Cheaper hotels tend to have cheaper breakfasts.
8. Some places are just plain overpriced.
The most expensive hotels on your list may simply not be worth it. Big-name hotels, for example, can often charge more than a boutique hotel can, even though the boutique hotel offers more personalized service and authentic amenities and experiences. It takes a little time to investigate, but the cheapest hotel on your list may actually be the nicest.
9. Because you don't have to spend your whole vacation budget.
And, the least expensive hotel on your short list may be the most expensive hotel on someone else's.
10. Beer money.
Or wine money, cigar money, whatever your pleasure.
Photo by Annie Scott.
Gallery: How to create a realistic travel budget
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yrralis1 Feb 27th 2011 12:21AM
I completely disagree . In my opinion I won't go on vacation unless I can do it with the luxury and pampering of a quality hotel. I'd rather stay home. Plus the difference between a cheap hotel and a top notch one might be about 200 bucks a night and if 1400 dollars (7 day trip) is all it takes to deter a vacation then the person probably can't afford it in the first place.
jenne Feb 27th 2011 9:39AM
Your joking, right? Either you have the money to stay at a nice hotel or you live above your means. $1400 is alot to alot of people. My husband and I stay in an nice oceanfront beach home with a group of friends every year and spend that same amount or not much more than that. That includes gas money, food, alcohol, going out to restaurants and some entertainment. Some people just don't understand about having to budget.
steve Feb 27th 2011 12:49AM
same with flying--I go to business in Thailand-small import export---I would much prefer economy over business--all the money i save I get to spend THERE
thuydo73 Feb 27th 2011 1:07AM
I agree with you Steve as I have been in Thaland plenty of times, as my last time was just 3 weeks ago: All money i saved i spent there.
In general if i go somewhere for business i prefer staying in a luxury hotel but for personal exploring vacation a less expensive hotel is better, but not too cheap at least 3 star with swimming pool. Sometimes in less expensive hotel is better because it is quite easy to get socialized with normal lives of local people.
claudine Feb 27th 2011 4:06PM
Don't need fancy with pool or really anything for am not going to be in the room all the time. Plane fares are crazy. Looking for cheapest hotel just to pay for planes is headaches. think will checkout flickr for tripadvisior have. Keep thinking if wnt two beds or one snice have to take them apart due for bedbugs check which is just as the cost of this trip. Spring Break.. I was eaten up. My daughter likes kitchen and hoping we don't have to do house keepings job carry towels to Lobby.Was embrasssed. We did save money on hotel though transpotation is another story.
Chris Feb 27th 2011 6:17AM
I would rather take less vacations but take them in a better mode. Instead of 3 cruises a year in a cabin that is so small you have to go in the hall to change your mind, I would rather take one cruise in a balcony suite. I would rather go once a year to a 5 star place in the front of the airplane than 3 times to a 2 star and have to get there in coach. Its a vacation! I would rather go out to dinner once a week to a place with tableclothes where they actually bring your food than 4 times to a buffet or the clowns mouth. I hate buffets, if I wanted to go and get my own food, I would stay home and go to the kitchen.
Peanut3 Feb 27th 2011 6:53AM
It just shows how this country is turning into a bunch of snobs. Nothing wrong with cheaper hotels and flights. Just because someone can't spend an extra $1400 for a room doesn't mean they shouldn't go. If one is going on vacation to sight-see, why would you spend that much money on a hotel when all you really do is sleep in it? Use the money saved to see a few more sights. As long as a hotel has a pool and a hot tub, clean room....you're good to go. COMMON SENSE IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OUT THE WINDOW.
Leslie Feb 27th 2011 10:48AM
Actually, my husband DOES use the gym every day and is always keen to find a hotel that has a good one!
Karr Linkous Feb 27th 2011 11:53AM
Location, location, location. Last year we went to Atlanta to see a special exhibition at the High and stayed in an inexpensive hotel two blocks from the museum. Two years ago we went to San Francisco to see a special exhibition at SFMOMA and stayed in a very expensive hotel, and we considered the cost well worth it because the hotel was next to the museum.
Vanessa Feb 27th 2011 12:57PM
I work at a hotel in socal, and believe me its worth paying the extra $20-30 a night. Cheaper hotels mean just that, cheap. Their products are cheap, you get less amenities and most of the time the cheaper hotels are in less than desirable areas of town thats why they are less expensive. Paying a little more normally will get you quality service and breakfast!
Mike Mar 2nd 2011 1:18PM
I haven't been overwhelmed by expensive hotels yet, though I also haven't broken $250/night so maybe I'm still in the cheap range. My ongoing experience of the annoyance of expensive hotels is with Hilton vs Comfort Inn or Hampton Inn. Hilton always charges more per night and hits me with extra fees: internet access ($10/day) and food ($15-$20 for breakfast). Hampton is less expensive per night, has free internet access, and a free hot breakfast. Beyond that, I get about the same room except for maybe prettier trim in the Hilton. Why waste my beer money on the more expensive hotel?
Vanessa Mar 4th 2011 11:07PM
Well Mike,
If its free beer you're worried about, then start staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton, they offer free drinks Mon-Thur along with food ;) or if its free internet and breakfast you need, choose Marriott. That's where I work. At a Residence Inn by Marriott. Our service is un-matched, we are ranked number #1 in the company, and not to mention our rewards program is unbeatable. You like free stuff? How about free nights at the hotel of your choice! The more you stay, the more you benefit! And 250$ is EXPENSIVE! You can stay at a nice, clean, modern hotel for about $160 a night and still have money to spend on your beer!
Ryana Feb 27th 2011 9:33PM
I can see both negatives and positives on this one. I usually agree lil more expensive it better however that usually goes with my skin and hair products, my mom alsways tells me that I have champaigne taste on a beer budget, and she is right on most cases in 04 I took a trip with a friend to Miane and we decided to stay at the motel 6 . it was decent no complaints we got in really late and work up earl and left so no it was not worh our money to pay more . we still had cab fare but about $9 . still worth it. then of 09 I went on my first vacation on my own I spent less on the hotel in Boston and spent lil more in salem and Rockport for the Bed and Breakfast experience.. so worth it . The Holiday inn Express was cheaper but they treated me pretty well even better then the Salem Inn which I paid almot $200 a night. so sometimes the cheaper can be better . I'm sorry I refuse to pay $400 a night on a hotel .that maybe in closer to where I want to be .even with cab fare I'm still saving money then paying those greedy hotels alot of money to put free choloate on my pillow or polish my shoes. we all can agree that we wnat it to be safe and clean. but I'm not spending all of my vacation money on a place where I am hardly going to be at . I rather spend it on great food, fun activities, my suggestion is if you plan on spending a lil more money on a place to stay, stay at a bed and breakfast . its much more worh it and you dont have to pay for the breakfast . and its alot better. and the inn keepers usually bend backwards to help make your stay alot better.
Bill Mar 5th 2011 10:15AM
Look, people have to live and travel within their means. I know that is hard for many Americans to understand but it is true. Set your budget, set your requirements based on a star rating at least and then select a hotel that fits you. For me, I will not live below a 3 star.
Better yet, forget the hotels and look for a Vacation Rental that fits. That is where the best deals and best vacation experiences can be had. I link to thousands of them here - http://www.short-term-apartment-rentals.com/ These are are rentals from trusted owners all over the world and so many are ideal for families.
Townsel smith Mar 22nd 2011 2:35AM
I think that there are many reason to choose the best and cheaper hotel.Firstly we can be afford easily and there were some thing related to food and hotel almost cheapest rate according to the customer demand but less facility available .
http://easyfeetsite.com/
Island Resort Mar 27th 2011 9:37PM
I always choose cheaper hotel.... but I'm not a cheapskate when it comes to food
Masud's Hotels News Apr 12th 2011 11:32AM
It is not important to stay in expensive hotel rather than the hotel is fulfill your purpose. If cheaper hotel give me better service, location then why shouldn't I stay in cheaper hotel though it is not branded hotel. Cheaper hotel is more conscious to its customer to give them better satisfaction.
Girolamo smith May 7th 2011 6:21AM
Every customer has been 10 reason to choose the best cheaper hotel.basically customer want to be best and cheapest hotel for Stayed.
http://goarticles.com/article/The-Wall-Street-Journal-Subscription/4609091/