Find Cheap Airfares - Tips and information on discount travel

photo credit: Andrew_D_Hurley

With today’s economy, most people are trying to travel on a budget. While in the past, budget hotels mostly appealed to those traveling with families, backpackers, students, and groups, nowadays everyone is trying to find a good deal. Still, discount hotels don’t have to sacrifice quality just because they are more economical.

Even though know you aren’t going to be spending a lot of time in your room when you are on vacation, your room is still the place that you are going to have to come home to at night. Therefore, it should have certain standards, regardless of how much it costs. Here are some things that you should look for in discount hotels.

1. Cleanliness. There is no excuse for discount hotels not having high levels of cleanliness. Although some rooms are going to look a little worn around the edges, and some are going to need some updating, you should expect a basic level of cleanliness no matter how cheap or old the hotel is. The bathroom should be disinfected, the bed coverings should be freshly washed, and the carpets should not have any residue.

2. Safety. Don’t ever sacrifice safety for your budget. This is especially true if you are women traveling alone or a family traveling with your children. It’s not worth saving a few dollars if you don’t feel safe leaving your hotel room at night. (Or during the day.) Likewise, your hotel room should be equipped with a fire alarm and exits that are not blocked in case of an emergency.

3. Comparison rates. Before booking the first hotel that you come across because it’s cheap, do some comparison shopping. It could be that you are able to find the same hotel for a lower price on a different website, or at least a hotel with a comparable price in a more desired location.

4. Privacy. This shouldn’t even be an issue, but believe it or not, it can be. Unless you are staying in a hostel, there is no reason that you should have to share your room with someone that you don’t know. This is not only unsafe, but it’s strange, too. In a hostel, if you are put in a room with someone that makes you feel uncomfortable, then you should ask to be moved. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.

5. A real discount. If you are only paying a few dollars less than what some of the expensive hotels are being listed as, then you are not actually getting a discount. A discount should be at least 20% off the rate of other hotels. If you are using a discount at a particular hotel, such as if you are a senior, then make sure that they don’t have other rates that might even be lower.

Discount hotels can be a great way to save on your accommodations, but they should still have certain standards, too. Don’t think that just because you need something reasonably priced that you can’t enjoy a clean, safe, room in a desirable location.