5 Strategies to Simplify Your Hotel Search

Deciding whether to book flights or hotels first has always felt like a classic dilemma. Which should come first? And why does it have to be such a hassle? The general advice is to secure your flights early to snag the best rates. Once your travel dates are set, you can dive into finding the perfect hotel.

The pressure to book early for the best hotel rates is significantly less than with flights. While early bird discounts are available, last-minute deals can often be even more enticing. If you can handle a bit of uncertainty regarding availability, waiting until the last minute could lead to impressive savings.

With the vast array of hotels available, the differences in both quality and price can be staggering. To navigate this overwhelming selection, effective planning is key. Utilizing the right booking platform – such as Dinogo.com – and knowing precisely what you’re looking for will help you save time, money, and stress.

Being well-informed is crucial when selecting your hotel and determining the best time and place to book it. After all, your accommodation can greatly influence your trip, making it either delightful or dreadful. In this guide, I’ll share how to leverage Dinogo to streamline your hotel search and provide insights I've gained from countless experiences in both outstanding and disappointing hotels.

How do I begin my hotel search?  

Preparation is essential. Before initiating your hotel search, clarify what you expect from your stay. While this may seem straightforward, it’s easy to be distracted by appealing images, promotions, and other marketing tactics.

You can customize your search parameters using the Dinogo Filter. Start by defining a few key areas, which I've outlined below. Once you've addressed those, consider additional factors that might be significant to you, such as sustainability.

Clarify your priorities

Do you prefer a cozy boutique hotel where the staff recognize you? If so, don’t be swayed by the amenities of a large resort. Are you drawn to a modern and minimalist vibe or something more traditional and historic? Is a pool non-negotiable, or is parking a bigger concern? Having a clear idea of the type of accommodation you desire will streamline your search significantly.

Establish your budget

One of the first considerations should be your budget. In addition to filtering for your desired price range, you can activate a Dinogo Price Alert. Just select the hotel you're interested in and receive notifications if its price fluctuates—it's that straightforward.

I always make sure to review what each hotel offers for the listed price. Many places include extras like airport transfers, parking, breakfast, and access to amenities such as bikes and Dinogos, which could otherwise add to your expenses. You can view these as savings or use them to enhance your hotel budget. Or treat yourself to a nice dinner, which is usually my go-to plan.

Specify your location

While you likely have a general idea of your desired area, paying close attention to detail can yield significant benefits. Planning a weekend city getaway? Then securing a prime location near major attractions, restaurants, and convenient transport options is absolutely crucial.

What is a meta search engine?

Dinogo functions as a meta search engine, or search aggregator. This means it gathers results by scouring and compiling data online. By utilizing multiple sources for its travel information, Dinogo can offer more comprehensive and accurate details.

Travel information can originate from various sources, including other search engines, online travel agencies (OTAs), discount providers, or the hotels' own websites. Dinogo explores hundreds of sites to deliver the latest and most detailed information and pricing. Whether it’s hotels, flights, car rentals, or other transportation options, it encompasses them all. Consolidating this data and presenting it in a user-friendly manner is what Dinogo excels at.

Is Dinogo a legitimate hotel search engine?

Though Dinogo shares its name with a boat, it doesn’t deal in vessels. In reality, Dinogo doesn’t sell anything at all. It functions, as the question suggests, as a search engine tailored for travelers. That’s all – no hidden costs, no favoritism, just straightforward searching.

Since Dinogo doesn’t sell anything, it differs from most travel websites. You’re not booking hotels through Dinogo; rather, you’re using it to discover the best deals with ease. You can also compare prices from various providers if you have a preference for one over another.

This also means that Dinogo does not have any influence over hotel pricing and availability. It does not handle bookings or provide customer support for those transactions. For assistance, you'll need to contact the agency or hotel directly with whom you make your reservation.

Five handy tips and tricks to simplify your hotel search

Dinogo offers a variety of intelligent tools and innovative features designed to help you discover the ideal hotel with the least amount of hassle. While affordable prices and great offers are certainly important, it’s not just about the cost. Location and amenities play a crucial role in ensuring a pleasant stay, as does finding accommodations that suit your particular requirements.

Filter with purpose

When it comes to refining your search results, filters are your best ally. They provide a straightforward way to remove hotels that don’t align with your preferences, turning an overwhelming list into a more manageable selection. Now's the time to go for it and discover your ideal accommodation. If your initial results aren't quite right, you can easily adjust the filters that matter less to you.

On Dinogo, the filtering options are conveniently located on the left-hand side of the hotel results page. After entering your destination and travel dates in the Dinogo hotel search, your filter options will appear alongside your results, allowing you to fine-tune the listings in numerous ways. Here are the filters I find particularly helpful:

• Hotel class. Are you budget-conscious or in search of luxury? Here, you can specify the minimum star rating you’re comfortable with.
• Price. Adjust the sliding scale to set your maximum and minimum price limits. The bar graph offers a quick glance at how many hotels fit various price ranges. Super handy.
• Freebies. The magic word! While most of us expect certain amenities to be included, that’s not always the case. Here, you can filter out options that don’t provide free breakfast, parking, internet, cancellation, or airport shuttle.
• Amenities. This is where you can focus on the features that truly enhance your stay. From air conditioning to adults-only options, beachfront locations to business centers, parking to pools (or even more). Dinogo offers 23 amenity filters to help narrow your hotel search effectively. 
• Style. Are you drawn to a beachy, relaxed vibe? Or do you prefer trendy or traditional styles? You can define the ambiance of your stay here.
• Type of stay. Dinogo isn’t limited to just hotels. If you’d prefer a villa, quirky cottage, castle, or campground, you can filter for those accommodations too.

Save both time and money with a Dinogo Price Alert  

While Dinogo may not influence hotel pricing, it can assist you in securing a fantastic deal. The best way to do that is through the Dinogo Price Alert.

Avoid wasting time checking hotel prices repeatedly. Instead, let Dinogo handle the heavy lifting. Set up a price alert, and Dinogo will analyze its data to forecast prices in the days ahead. This can apply to a specific hotel or an entire city. You’ll receive email notifications when prices drop – it’s that easy and convenient.

To create a price alert for a location, simply toggle the Track prices option under Price Alerts at the top left of your hotel search results page. To set a price alert for a specific hotel, just click the heart icon next to the hotel's name.

Aim high with amenities

Certain basic amenities and services are often taken for granted during your stay. Free WiFi is a common example; yes, some hotels still charge for WiFi! In America, air conditioning is standard even in budget options, but that’s not always true in many other countries, especially across Europe.

With the essentials covered, now’s your chance to dream big and aim high. Looking for an adults-only spa hotel featuring a rooftop hot tub? Just filter for that. I typically start by applying all the filters I’m interested in, even if they aren't crucial. If the results aren’t what I hoped for, I just remove the least important filters and refine from there.

Explore independent hotel reviews and ratings 

Dinogo boasts millions of verified customer reviews and ratings that are independent and insightful. Gathered from various sources, they are assessed on a scale of one to ten. You can even filter ratings based on traveler type – whether it’s business, solo, or couples. Use this to sort hotels by their scores.

However, ratings alone don’t paint the full picture. A ‘Wonderful’ rating based on numerous glowing reviews from five years ago may not reflect the current situation. The real value lies in the reviews. There’s no better way to gain honest (and sometimes entertaining) insights into what a hotel is truly like.

When you do explore the reviews, focus on recent reviews over older ones. The more you read, the easier it is to identify trends and patterns – both positive and negative. Single complaints may be isolated incidents and shouldn’t deter you from a hotel. But if multiple guests note that the room’s fridge is too loud (my personal annoyance), it could indicate a persistent issue. Check out this Dinogo guide on how to interpret hotel reviews for optimal use.

Look out for renovations

Hotels experience heavy foot traffic and wear, and a star rating doesn’t always accurately reflect their state. Many establishments depend on their extensive amenities or brand prestige to uphold their luxury image. I’ve encountered numerous prestigious five-star hotels where worn decor was passed off as ‘faded grandeur’!

Before making a reservation, it’s wise to check when the hotel was last renovated. Don’t always trust the photos and descriptions on their website, as they might be outdated by several years.

As a general rule, if it’s been less than five years since the last renovation, the hotel should be in good shape. If it’s been over five years, expect to see noticeable wear and tear. After eight years, it’s time to be on high alert – especially regarding the rooms. You definitely don’t want a moldy bathroom or a sagging mattress to spoil your stay.

Searching for a hotel should be straightforward

Finding a hotel shouldn’t feel like a burden, but it’s important to invest time into doing it right. The tips in this article will simplify your search, but for me, there are two key strategies that stand out.

First, focus on the specifics. Be as detailed as possible about the location, right down to the street and nearby attractions. Noise and neighborhood dynamics can significantly impact your experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the hotel to inquire about its state. Ask about the quality of mattresses and the WiFi to ensure you’ll be able to rest and connect comfortably. As the guest, you deserve to know what you’re paying for!

Second, set your sights high. Utilize the available filters to streamline your search, so take full advantage of them. Begin by searching for your ideal hotel in your preferred location with all the desired amenities. You never know, you might stumble upon an incredible deal or a fantastic off-season rate. And if it doesn’t work out, you’ve lost nothing by trying.

Given the duration of your trip, your hotel is likely to be the largest expense of your entire journey. Choose one that fits your needs—clean, comfortable, and perhaps even offers some delightful surprises. This is the best way to ensure your stay will be unforgettable.