Hotels Australia

If you are planning a do-it-yourself vacation in Australia, it is a myth that all hotel bookings should be completed before you set foot on the Australian continent. There are several ways to book your accommodation in Australia, and each has its own pros and cons.

The internet may be fast becoming the most popular way to source and sniff out cheap hotel and cheap holiday deals, but it is certainly not the best, nor the only way to secure good accommodation.

By all means, use the internet to compile lists of possible hotel accommodation in the cities you will be visiting, and their best rates to get you an idea of the going hotel rates.

Making hotel bookings via the internet is easy, convenient and by far, the cheapest option. However, making hotel bookings via the internet can also be unpredictable and unreliable. Do not trust a computer-generated reply - even after you have received a hotel booking confirmation via email, the best way to ensure that someone is processing your reservation request is to call the hotel directly to confirm your booking. This is also a good opportunity to reiterate your requests in advance (e.g. wheelchair access, baby cot in room, etc). Last minute requests may entail extra charges, and the hotel may not be able to accede to your request at the last minute.

It is generally prudent to making some hotel bookings via the internet for the first two days upon your first arrival in Australia, especially on your maiden visit to Australia. Once you have arrived in Australia, you can choose other methods to make your hotel bookings.

You can make your hotel bookings by calling the hotel or motel of your choice directly. You can get hold of a local listing of hotels from the tourist office in major cities. The main advantage of calling in advance is that the reservations desk at the hotel will be able to advise you on the spot as to whether there are rooms available, as they – and not the hotel’s website - will have the most updated occupancy status of the hotel.

Another method of DIY hotel booking is the walk-in method. This is traditionally done by simply walking into the hotel or motel that you would like to live in, to make enquiries and ask to see the rooms. Travelers on leisure holidays with unfixed itineraries like this option because many independently—owned and run B&Bs, inns and motels are not listed on the internet, and are usually discovered on foot or by word of mouth from the locals. These little gems offer unique Australian experiences that do not burn a hole in your pocket.

The walk-in method is also the most effective in terms of getting what you want. By making your requests face-to-face, you are also more likely to be granted special consideration, rather than another customer who has made their requests on-line via their reservation system (if one was available). The downside of this method is that you, or your representative, must be present physically. Also, you can be turned away in the event of full occupancy, so you need to have a back-up plan in place.

When you are making a hotel booking, do not forget to ask for additional services you may require. If you will be traveling from the local airport to your booked hotel in Australian cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne or Sydney, ask if there are complimentary hotel shuttle services provided. If you are on a driving holiday around Perth or along the Sunshine Coast-Brisbane-Gold Coast route, ask if there is secured parking available before you make a hotel booking.