How can I choose the best hotel somewhere if I don't know the country before?

Question

for example in Austria !

Answer 1

I agree with Willeke, that reviews are the way to weed out the good from the bad

A nice site is Tripadvisor.com.  You can see hotels, photos and details (and also links to expedia for more details and booking), and most importantly reviews.  They are completely impartial (ie. everyone has the freedom to comment both good and bad) and by reading all of this info it can help you to form an opinion by seeing what is important to you, and if it is recommended positively or negatively

Travel agents are not always impartial and some receive incentives to book people in certain hotels.  Also they cannot be expected to have first hand knowledge of every hotel, and so often work from the hotel brief itself which of course is there to promote only the positive points of a hotel

Here is the link to Austrian hotels .  Have a read, and hope it helps.  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g19041...

Good luck

Answer 2

It is always a guess.

You can read about the town and see what is available.

Try to read reviews on the hotel, see what other people thought about it.

Do not just look at the percentages or numbers of pluses but do also read some of the reviews. And remember that most people will only send in a review if the place was real good or real bad in their opinion.

Sometimes you can read between the lines, if the complains are because the bathroom was in the hall, you can tell that the rooms are pretty good and that those with a bathroom in the room are even better.

And use a map, see where the hotels is compared to the things you want to do or see. How much local transport do you think is acceptable, how much do you prefer a quiet location.

And after you have done all your homework there is the small detail of availability.

In Austria you will find most hotels booked solid this month, certainly those near the Football towns, but because the football is in those towns, the people who do not want the football make sure they are as far away as possible, or will go after the tournament has ended early July (or were there before it started.)

Answer 3

i always use a site where users write hotel reviews! its german though, so it wouldnt make sense to post the link.

but just put something like "hotel review" in you search engine and you'll find many similar english pages.

Answer 4

you are asking the wrong question.  ask:  what is the best hotel in Austria.  And i would say, yahoo search it

Answer 5

I've traveled to about 30 countries.  

I have 2 suggestions for you:

1.  Get a guide such as Lonely Planet or a Rough Guide, they are packed with good exploring and cultural information, which means they pay for themselves almost immediately.

2.  When you get there ask - visit the tourist office and they can help and advise according to your budget.

If in doubt book in for one night, especially if you are out of high season - you should meet travelers quickly and easily and then you can get immediate first hand advice from others in the same situation.

Hope that helps... happy traveling!

Answer 6

It would best to check a travel guide like Frommers, Fondors, AAA, or Yahoo.  Better yet, check with a travel agent.

Answer 7

Get off the internet and go talk to a GOOD travel agency..The staff usually have been to many places and deal with international hotels on a daily basis.