Tips for Booking Hotels: What I Look for Before I Reserve a Stay

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My friends often ask how I choose the hotels I stay in.

Many assume they must be expensive, but most are actually pretty affordable. I’m not someone who overspends on accommodations—I just follow a few tried-and-true tips for booking hotels that help me find places that are unique, historic, or simply practical and stylish.

For example, I’ve stayed at The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, a mountain boutique hotel that doubles as a brewery and welcomes guests with a beer tasting—definitely a memorable experience. I’ve also stayed at The Russell Nashville, a former church turned hotel that keeps much of its original architecture, giving it a one-of-a-kind vibe.

To me, hotels really set the tone for a trip. They make you feel welcome and give you a comfortable place to unwind after a busy day of exploring. Over time, I’ve developed a simple system for choosing the right stay, and these tips for booking hotels are exactly what I use every time I travel.

Uniqueness

Is the hotel different or special? I always start by looking for something unique or historic, not just another big chain hotel. This is probably one of the most important tips for booking hotels that I use in my search process. I found The Hayes Mansion in San Jose while looking for a unique place to stay during a trip to San Francisco. Another hotel chain I love and that is unique is 21C Museum Hotels.

Front Desk or Self Check-in

Both options can be good. Sometimes I like self-check-in, especially if I want some quiet time on a solo trip, as in my visit to The Chandler in Madison, Indiana. Other times, a front desk is helpful for getting info or enjoying perks like a welcome glass of Champagne at The Farnam or a room upgrade at the Bottleworks Hotel.

Room Pictures

Room photos online quickly show me if a hotel is right for me. An old bedspread or a grungy bathroom is an instant no. Fresh, clean, and nice-looking rooms make me want to book.

Amenities

What else does the hotel offer? I really like having a restaurant and bar right at the hotel. If that’s not possible, then I prefer having lots of restaurant options nearby. Sometimes, a rooftop bar in the city can totally make me choose one hotel over another. Plus, I always check out the common areas too.

Location

Is the hotel close to where I need to be? Can I walk there, or is it a short drive? Is it in a good area? I learned this the hard way when I found a great hotel in San Francisco, the Timbri Hotel, but it turned out to be in a sketchy area just outside the door. Sometimes I like to be close to my activities, while other times I prefer to be further away. During my last trip to Las Vegas, getting off the Strip and finding a quiet hotel was essential for me. I chose the Hilton Lake Las Vegas, where I could enjoy calming lake views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Parking

What’s the parking situation? Do they offer valet and self-parking? Is self-parking close or on the hotel property? What does it cost, or is it free? I prefer on-site parking since, as a solo woman traveler, I don’t want to walk far in an unfamiliar area. Safety comes first.

Star Rating

I usually start with 4 and 5-star hotels. If there aren’t many options, I’ll consider a 3-star. But I avoid places like Super 8 or Hampton Inn in my searches.

Price

I don’t put price at the top of my list since I usually look for something unique first. But yeah, price does matter. If a hotel is too expensive for my budget, I won’t even consider it. That said, I still like checking out some luxury hotels because sometimes they surprise me and fit into my budget. I once enjoyed a staycation in St. Louis at the Four Seasons for $99. This was years ago, but you just may be surprised by what you find if you just look.

Additional Costs

What additional costs should I be aware of? Are there any destination or resort fees? Is there a charge for valet or self-parking? It’s almost always the case that large cities and popular tourist destinations will have parking fees and destination fees, which are typically charged by the hotel, not your booking site.

Can I Pay Later?

I prefer to reserve and pay at the hotel. Many places now require full payment at the time of booking, but as a frequent business traveler, I’d rather pay at the hotel so my expenses match my trip dates. Is it a deal breaker? Not usually, but sometimes it is.

Is There a Story?

Does the hotel have a story? Sometimes, boutique hotels have interesting backgrounds. The Duke Mansion in Charlotte was once the home of James Buchanan Duke, who started Duke University and Duke Energy. Kimpton Hotels was started by Bill Kimpton in San Francisco, who wanted to bring the feeling of home he found in European hotels to American hotels. Even though IHG now owns them, Kimpton still retains its unique style.

Hotel Guest Room Doors – Inside or Outside?

I almost always prefer guest room doors that are only accessible from inside the hotel. It feels safer to me as a solo female traveler. Still, I’ve made exceptions. In Canon City, Colorado, I had no other options and ended up having one of my best nights of sleep. At ARRIVE Albuquerque, a former motor inn turned boutique hotel, there’s a fence around the property, and even though the doors open to the outside, you have to go through the lobby or use a key to get in.

Map it

A client gave me this tip after my San Francisco experience at The Timbri Hotel: check the hotel on Google Maps and Street View. You’ll get a clear look at the area and see if it’s a good spot.

Reviews

Reviews are important. I always read more than just a few and dig in to get a real sense of the place. If I see more than a couple of bad reviews, I cross the hotel off my list. I learned an important lesson about thoroughly reading reviews after my stay at the Wild Iris Inn in LaConner, Washington. Initially, the reviews seemed positive. However, after experiencing some strange encounters with the innkeeper, I revisited those reviews and discovered that others had similar experiences to mine and my colleagues’—but their comments were buried deeper in the review sections.

Recommendations

If someone I know recommends a hotel, I pay attention. I found the Bottleworks Hotel in Indianapolis thanks to my friend Julie. I heard about Hotel Genevieve in Louisville from an Instagram friend who thought I’d like it. It’s worth listening to recommendations.

Articles

This still happens sometimes. I’ll read about a hotel in a travel magazine or see it on social media, make a note, and check it out when I visit that city. That’s how I first stayed at Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans. I had booked a cheap hotel in a bad area for convenience, but after reading a blurb about Hotel Peter & Paul, I canceled the other hotel and took a chance. It turned into many stays and more trips.

I also found the Armstrong Hotel in Fort Collins after reading about it in a magazine while sitting on my porch. On my next business trip to Black Hawk, I made a detour to stay there for a night.

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At the end of the day, finding the right place to stay doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little research and a few reliable tips for booking hotels, you can find a spot that fits your style, your budget, and your comfort level. For me, it’s all about balancing uniqueness, location, and value while making sure I feel safe and relaxed. When you find a hotel that checks those boxes, it doesn’t just give you a place to sleep—it becomes part of the experience and helps make your trip even more memorable.

Hotels referenced in this article (in order of mention):

TO BOOK any of these hotels, click here.