Selecting the perfect accommodation for your holiday can be difficult, so before you make your booking, read our quick guide to the top things you should be looking for in a hotel. From price to location, we have put together a list of the most important elements to consider.

Price

Price is one of the first things to look at when choosing holiday accommodation and, no matter what kind of break you are planning, outlining a budget from the outset is a good way to start narrowing down your options and establishing a feasible list of hotels to choose from.

Discount hotels are something you should always look for, whether you're searching for high-end, luxurious accommodation or somewhere a little more budget-friendly. Why? No matter what your price range, discounts are something that all of us can enjoy, if you are willing to spend a little time looking for them.

By far the easiest way to do this is to search online, and it is best to use a website that specifically offers good-quality, well-priced hotels. Some sites have handy tools that allow you to see the cheapest accommodation in each destination, while cross-referencing these with consumer reviews – which brings us nicely to our next point.

Good reviews

It is all very well finding low-priced accommodation, but it is important to remember to factor in the quality of the service you will receive too. Fortunately, it is simple to search for independent reviews of any hotels you are considering, which will give you a good idea of how fellow travellers have found everything from the room to the breakfast.

Positive reviews are something you should always look for in your hotel accommodation. By taking the time to do this, you can make sure you achieve a good balance between getting a competitive price and staying somewhere comfortable and clean that will let you enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

How well it meets your needs

The next thing to look for in your search is how well each prospective hotel meets your needs. Among the questions to ask yourself are:

• Does the hotel offer all the amenities you require?
• Will you be obliged to pay for any services you won't actually use? For example, if breakfast is included in the price but you usually skip your morning meal, you could find a cheaper deal elsewhere.
• Is close to good transport links?
• Is it situated in a quiet area? Finding out something like this is particularly important if you are planning a city break and are a light sleeper!

Location

Location is one of the most crucial deciding factors of any hotel booking. When looking into your accommodation options, you should bear in mind that what is a good location for some might be less so for others, and it is important to decide what you personally are looking for.

For example, a hotel situated on Las Ramblas, the busy thoroughfare in Barcelona, might be attractive to night owls and those who want to be in the heart of the action and don't mind noise, but for someone looking for a quiet, relaxed break, it is probably the worst place to be. Some of top things to consider are:

• Do you want to be somewhere quiet, or located as centrally as possible – even if this means your room is on the noisy side?
• How far is your hotel from the airport and other transport links?
• Are there any particular attractions or events you want to go to? If so, how easy is it get from the hotel to these?
• Do you want to be near the coast, in an isolated spot in the countryside, or in the heart of a city?