Hotel bookings

We book hotels on their own or as part of a holiday. Our planners shortlist two or three options per stop, explain the trade-offs and book the one you choose.

How we choose

• Location first. A slightly dearer hotel near the sights often saves more in taxis and time than it costs.
• Recent reviews, not just star ratings. A well-run three-star can beat a tired five-star. See Three-star or five-star? Choosing the right hotel category.
• What the rate includes: breakfast, taxes, resort fees and city taxes, which some countries collect at check-in.
• Cancellation rules. Non-refundable rates are cheaper; we tell you the difference so you can decide.

Special requests

Tell us about birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, mobility needs or food preferences. We pass them to the hotel in writing. Requests such as early check-in depend on availability, and we will say so.

Changing hotels or staying put

Moving hotels every night is tiring. For many trips we suggest fewer, longer stays with day trips. Our post Day trips or moving hotels? How to decide explains when each works best.