When travelling abroad, choosing the right hotel booking site affects both your budget and your peace of mind. This guide lists what international travellers should look for in a booking site.
1. Secure Payment
The address bar should show HTTPS and the site should say clearly who processes the payment. Card details should only be requested on the secure payment page. On Londonos, card payments are processed securely; your card is not charged now; the amount is taken once your booking is confirmed.
2. Total Price and Currency
Before the payment step you should see the total, the currency you will pay in and any taxes or charges payable at the property. Factor in your card’s foreign transaction fee too.
3. Cancellation and Amendment Terms
The cancellation terms of each rate should be shown clearly before you book. If your flights are not yet confirmed, choose a flexible rate.
4. Language and Clarity
Reading hotel descriptions, board types and conditions in a language you understand avoids mistakes. Londonos is available in English and Turkish.
5. Realistic Hotel Information
A location map, room types, photos and guest scores make deciding easier. Cross-checking with more than one source is always a good idea.
6. Reachable Contact
Know in advance who to contact and how if something goes wrong with your booking, and keep your confirmation and booking reference.
A Quick Pre-Booking Checklist
- Are the hotel’s name, address and map location correct?
- How many guests does the room type allow, and what are the beds?
- Is the board type clear: room only, bed and breakfast, half board or all inclusive?
- Is the rate refundable, and is the cancellation deadline shown?
- Are the total, taxes and any fees paid at the hotel clear?
If you can answer all of these before the payment step, you are unlikely to face surprises later. If something is unclear, ask before you book and get the answer in writing.
After Confirmation
Keep your confirmation email and booking number, and check your name matches your passport. If you will arrive late, letting the hotel know in advance is a good habit.
Where to Start
For trips to Turkey and the UK, start with hotels in Istanbul, hotels in Antalya and hotels in London; at city hotels such as Pasaport Pier Hotel in Izmir, for example, you can see the conditions before paying.