Hotel card holds and deposits
A check-in guarantee is not always a charge. Amount and duration depend on the hotel, rate, card and bank.
Read the guidePractical guide
Choose a hotel beyond its star rating
A simple method to compare price, location, comfort and flexibility without relying on one indicator.
Focused guides
A precise answer for each decision
Choose the topic that matches your current decision. Each guide starts with a short answer, followed by a method, a checklist and checks to complete before payment.
Budget and booking
Check the identity of a hotel website
A logo and a working page do not identify the operator. Cross-check the domain, name, address and booking confirmation before sending payment.
Read the guide
Compare member rates, points and benefits
Start with equivalent rooms and terms. A loyalty benefit has practical value only if you can use it during your stay.
Read the guideLocation and arrival
Choose a hotel near a train station
A hotel advertised as near the station may be awkward with luggage, at night or with limited mobility.
Read the guide
Choosing an airport hotel without wasting time
Measure the door-to-door journey and verify the shuttle, schedule and room quietness.
Read the guidePlanning an airport-to-hotel transfer
Compare hotel shuttles, private transfers and public transport by pickup point, luggage, hours and full cost.
Read the guide
Check-in, check-out and luggage storage
Separate room, reception and storage hours to plan both ends of the stay.
Read the guide
Hotel parking and electric-car charging
Confirm a usable space, its total cost and the charging procedure before arrival.
Read the guideRoom and comfort
Choose a quiet hotel room
Assess the neighbourhood, room position and equipment separately. A higher room category or floor does not guarantee silence.
Read the guideChecking room air conditioning and heating
Confirm operation on your dates, individual controls, windows, noise and the exact room category before booking.
Read the guide
Book connecting hotel rooms clearly
Neighbouring rooms do not necessarily have an internal door. Confirm layout, occupants and whether the arrangement is guaranteed.
Read the guide
Check hotel photographs before booking
A facade helps identify an address, but does not guarantee your room or facilities. Compare the subject, booked category, capture date and source.
Read the guideTravellers and planning
Staying at a hotel with a pet
Confirm acceptance of your specific pet, the total charge and restrictions for rooms and shared areas.
Read the guide
Booking a hotel for a group
Request a written quote covering each room, deadlines and change terms.
Read the guide
Extended hotel stay: check the kitchen and services
A kitchenette label does not always mean you can cook a full meal.
Read the guideFacilities and commitments
Hotel breakfast: compare what is actually included
Check the contents, serving times and surcharge before deciding whether breakfast fits your schedule.
Read the guide
Choosing a hotel with a pool
A pool photograph is not enough: confirm opening and access rules for your dates.
Read the guide
Hotel spa: check access before booking
A spa photo says nothing about price, hours or access rules.
Read the guide
How to choose a seaside hotel
“Seaside” does not guarantee a usable beach or a view from your room.
Read the guide
Check hotel Wi-Fi and workspace
Free Wi-Fi does not guarantee a stable connection in your room or a useful desk for calls.
Read the guide1. Start with needs, not ratings
List three essentials for this particular trip: a quiet room, accessible route, early breakfast, parking, family beds or a workable desk. Distinguish them from attractive extras you may never use.
Think through arrival and departure as well as daytime plans. Reception hours, luggage storage and an elevator can matter more than a facility featured in the photos.
2. Compare equivalent offers
Use the same dates, guests, currency and room category. A refundable rate, breakfast and local taxes change the meaning of an apparent price difference.
Calculate the full stay cost, including transfers, meals, parking and likely supplements. Recheck the final amount and terms on the booking partner's page.
3. Read reviews for evidence
Prefer recent reviews that describe specific room conditions such as noise, bedding, cleanliness and temperature. A repeated pattern is more informative than one extreme score.
Match the reviewer’s needs to your own: a lively street may suit one traveler and disrupt another.
4. Test actual journeys
Map the places you will visit and the route from station or airport. Check travel time at the hours you will travel, particularly late arrivals.
A central location may save time but be noisier; a farther hotel may offer space and calm if the connection is reliable.
5. Confirm room and flexibility
Inspect the exact room category for beds, size, window, accessibility and key amenities. Request written confirmation for anything indispensable.
Read the cancellation deadline, applicable local time, prepayment and modification fees. Keep the booking confirmation and partner contact details.