Nowadays, choosing the right hotel to stay in is quite a challenge. With the multitude of promotions, deals and programs that can be found in the Internet as well as in hotel brochures, one can find it too overwhelming. Sometimes, the way it was presented on the website was too good to be true. So you ask yourself,” How will I know if the hotel I have chosen is indeed “The One?”

We all know that every traveler has different needs when searching for a hotel. Some of these needs are the hotel’s proximity to commercial establishments; the price is within the planned budget, a swimming pool for the kids to enjoy or a spa for an ultimate relaxation. According to the combined wisdom of several online websites dedicated to travellers, the following are the common determining factors in choosing a hotel:-

Price: There are several websites that offer major booking online that gives you the option to sort your results by price (i.e. Travelocity.) Travellers may opt to use the booking engines to see what’s available and test rates, and then go straight to the hotel’s website to book directly. Most hotels guarantee the lowest rate when you book on their website.

Location: Determine if the hotel you will be staying in is near to your favourite place such as the shopping malls, boutiques, parks, restaurants and bars. Websites like Kayak and PlacetoStay will allow you to check out the location map of the hotel of your choice. This will help save your travel time and maximize your time to unwind.

Amenities: Are you a fitness buff? Are you a swimming enthusiast? Or want to have some gastronomic experience? Hotels.com and Travelocity websites make the process easier by allowing you to compare several hotels side by side so you can easily weigh which hotels offer the best fitness center, swimming pool and restaurant.

Family-Friendliness: Travelling with the kids is the perfect time for family bonding. Before taking the kids with you on a trip, you’ll want to check for both special deals and family-friendly policies. You may check out the websites like Family Vacation.com or family travel deals to review the latest family hotel and resort. This will give your family an experience of a lifetime.

Luxury: Want to experience luxury at its finest? Check out the websites like Leading Hotels of the Wold and Five Star Alliance. Who knows, you might be rubbing elbows with the rich and famous.

Ambiance and Local Flavor: Choose an environment that would best suit your personality. If you find the standard hotels boring rather than interesting and you are looking for some alternative hideaway, well, you may choose to stay in bed and breakfast, home exchanges, and homestay/farmstay. And if you still want to try something that is out of the ordinary like staying in a tree house or an igloo, you may visit the website, Unusual Hotels of the World. A bizarre but interesting experience indeed.

Loyalty Programs and Frequent Flier Miles: Traveling and staying in a hotel is not all splurging your hard-earned money. It should also come with practicality. If you are a member of a frequent flier program, it would be better if you join a hotel loyalty program. Not only can you earn points toward a future hotel stay, but you may also be able to accumulate miles if your hotel is partnered with your frequent flier program. You may inquire your hotel or airline Web site to see a list of qualifying partners. Many programs also allow you to redeem points for other purchases, such as cruises, car rentals and entertainment.

Eco-Friendliness: If you prefer hotels that has a minimal environmental impact, check out the websites of Green Globe and Green Hotels Association. It will make Mother Nature very happy.

There may be a lot of choices of the hotels that may best suit your needs. However, at the end of the day, what really matter is for you to have a truly enjoyable hotel experience that is worth remembering.