A seasoned traveller who has journeyed to more than 80 countries has unveiled a rapid technique for identifying quality hotel accommodation in just 60 seconds. As many holidaymakers know, the right hotel can make or break a vacation, influencing everything from cleanliness and facilities to overall relaxation after a tiring day.
The Importance of a Good Hotel
Not every hotel meets expectations, with countless online tales ranging from mild disappointment to outright horror stories. With spring and summer travel planning underway, expert guidance on securing reliable accommodation is more valuable than ever.
Meet the Expert
One individual who masters the art of finding ideal hotels is Mark Wolters, the familiar face behind the Wolters World YouTube channel, which has amassed 1.17 million subscribers. Having travelled extensively from Uruguay to Albania, Mark now shares his top hotel tips to help others avoid disastrous bookings.
Check the Most Recent Reviews
Mark's first recommendation is to examine online reviews, focusing specifically on the most recent ones. A hotel that boasted five-star ratings a decade ago may have significantly declined or improved since then.
He explained: "Are they still getting that nine out of 10 or eight out of 10? Or have they fallen to a six or a seven? Because you want to look for that consistency. If they're consistently getting nines and tens today and five years ago, that shows that hotel continuously cares about their guests and their property, which means boom, probably going to be a good hotel."
Actually Read the Reviews
Mark advises travellers to scrutinise reviews for specific keywords and phrases such as "clean", "safe", "comfortable", "good location", or "attentive staff". Additionally, sort reviews by date and check if the hotel has responded to guests online, noting whether their replies are courteous and professional.
Check That the Price Makes Sense
Mark cautioned: "I know we all want to find that great hotel for a super low price, but a lot of times, if they have to offer heavy discounts, it's for a reason. What you want to see is if you're looking in an area like Lille, for example, similar hotels should have similar prices. Does that hotel fit in that same price range? That makes sense. They can have a deal occasionally, but a good hotel doesn't need constant deals because they're already a good hotel."
Check Photos Posted by Guests
Mark emphasised the importance of not only reviewing hotel-posted photos, which might be outdated, but also examining images shared by guests online. Verify if these align with the official photographs to gauge accuracy.
Cancellation Policy
He also advised reviewing the hotel's cancellation policy, noting that good hotels "know that life happens" and plans can change. Desirable accommodations typically "don't punish guests" with rigid policies.
Location, Location, Location
It is crucial to pinpoint the hotel's exact location on a map to assess proximity to local amenities or attractions. Mark highlighted the need to check if the hotel is situated in a safe neighbourhood, a key factor for traveller security.
Check the Description
Mark said: "Is it a realistic description of the hotel, of the rooms, or is it something like a 'tranquil oasis away from the problems of your life in the outskirts of the world?' If it's packed with marketing jargon, as I call it, you should avoid it. Good hotels will be realistic in their descriptions."
Trust Your Gut
Finally, Mark noted that when browsing hotels online, you often get a "gut feeling". He advises travellers to trust this instinct, as it can be a reliable indicator of whether a hotel is the right choice.
