Getting the Best Hotel Rates

So it's time to book a hotel in some foreign city that you have never been to before. <br>Like most people you'll head to TripAdvisor or booking. com, ratestogo. com and similar sites. The nagging question you'll have is "did I get the best deal? " Sometimes the best deal is not just the cost you pay, but the room area, a special offer that has nothing to do with price but everything to do with conserving money--like getting a free tour instead that may actually be worth more than the discount on a booking service. <br><br>What I do when I travel since the large booking engines never give you the web address or e mail of the hotels they will list, is immediately go to the nation's national tourist board website or the city's official website. These sites have always an amazingly complete list of all the hotels--and it gives their e mail and website, not to mention their direct line phone and fax. <br><br>If you have Skype ip telefoni or some other VOIP (voice over internet phone), and you've checked out the best offer on the booking service sites, it's time to call the resort and simply TELL them what offer you have got on booking. com or what ever other site you used plus say that you'd like to book direct to save them the commission (which is usually 6-15% so you do the math about how much you can ask for--like an area upgrade, free meal at their restaurant, etc . ). <br><br>Last although not least there are a growing number of in city and in country hotel websites created by locals who don't get the commission but simply charge a list fee. Sites like these allow and encourage DIRECT booking to the resorts they list.