It is important to consider the current environment of your hotel or accommodation before you commit to booking your stay. Your hotel might be perfect, but the surroundings might not.

Most of the accommodation we book online will always look good. Check the website very carefully. Make sure all photos are true representations of what you are getting and make sure your booking is actually confirmed. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination to find that your booking does not exist. There are many situations that may not be as you expected, and many of them are not actually related to the hotel or accommodation you are booking. Sometimes we need to think outside of the accommodation we are considering to know if we are going to be comfortable during our stay.

• Outside Noise. Your hotel might be in perfect condition but there could be a number of factors that will actually influence how you feel inside your room. Nearby construction or other external activities such as markets, or even street music and the like could be making your room unbearable. It is not like any of these issues will ever be mentioned on any promotional websites that you might be looking at. The only way to know for sure is to research the area of the hotel and get a feel for what is going on.
• Neighbourhood. Good hotels will be in the best neighbourhoods. Often that is what you are paying for. It is also important to consider what street they are on. Even good hotels can be on very busy streets in the centre of town, and this will potentially mean you will have trouble getting a taxi when you want to go out. Some streets can be so noisy late into the night while you are trying to get the rest you need.
• Local Activities. Have you ever arrived at a hotel only to find out; there is some local parade or other demonstration in full swing as you try to enter. Understand a little about the city, region and the country is very important when you are travelling. This is very important to know when you are going overseas. You might be arriving in the middle of some holiday or other festival that you did not even know existed.
• Hotel Operations. Even some of the best hotels in Dubai, for example, have many other functions. It is important to understand what other business activities the hotel operates. Even some of the best hotels can be host to some huge clubbing events, and you can find yourself staying right in the middle of them. You could be paying good money to avoid drunken party-goers when you were looking for a place of peace and quiet. Knowing the other operations of the hotel is crucial.
• Age. Well established hotels are often known for their good reputation. They can also be a minefield of filth and germs. You should always check the age of the hotel and always check the last time it was refurbished. Again, you are paying good money to stay somewhere and you don’t need to be staying somewhere that should have been mothballed many years ago.

Make sure you are aware of the surroundings of your hotel of choice. It might look good in the photos and could even have a good reputation, but it is also what is happening around the hotel, that will influence your stay. A little extra online research before you book could make all the difference.