While many of us are avoiding travel, a few persons still have to do so for business, health, or family emergencies.

Whether you are travelling locally, regionally, or internationally, accommodations play a big role in personal safety and how well you enjoy our trip.

Throughout the Caribbean, there are many options for where to stay.

If you have stayed at a hotel, hostel or Airbnb that did not live up to your expectations, you are not alone.

However, before we dissect all the things that went wrong, let us take a moment to be accountable.

Whenever we shop for goods, we usually ask questions to ensure that the value that we are getting is worth it. What if we applied the same technique to our bookings?

We are sharing helpful questions that could make your next booking and stay, safe and enjoyable.

Are there hidden fees and taxes?

A lot of places are offering discounted rates, but there may be hidden charges that can add to your expenses. Ask if the rate that you are paying includes all the required taxes and fees. Some places may include additional charges for housekeeping, Wi-Fi or use of some amenities. If they are additional fees, you can ask to have them waived or you can budget for them.

Is the room near the elevator or a heavily trafficked area?

Rooms that are close to an elevator can be convenient if you prefer easy access to it. However, these rooms may not be the best if you are hoping for a quiet stay.

Rooms located above a pool or restaurant, or near heavily trafficked areas such as the elevator, may prove inconvenient, since there is usually a lot of noise and disturbance. Other places that may have a lot of noise include near an ice machine, kitchen, and maintenance closet.

Can you get a room on a higher floor away from traffic?

Traffic can be noisy and distracting. If you are on a business trip or need a lot of quiet, ask for a room on a higher floor away from traffic. A room on a higher floor should allow you to get a goodnight’s rest. It also minimises distractions, so that you can prepare for your meetings.

What is the cancellation policy?

It helps to know about the refund and cancellation policy. Some places will openly share this information; others may put it in the fine print. Avoid paying a potentially huge cancellation fee by asking about the cancellation policy early. Most places also have this information on their website.

How late are you allowed to check-in or out?

Unexpected delays can result in being late to check-in. Some places request that guests check out early. Some places may even cancel your booking if you are late for check-in. If this happens, you may still be required to pay the cancellation fee, or you may have to make a new booking.

Most places will be flexible once they are aware that you will be late or need an additional hour before checking out.

What’s included in the cost – breakfast, gym, Wi-Fi, etc.?

Some places offer all-inclusive bookings, while others may only include complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. Hostels and some Airbnb rentals may only provide the room. Asking this question will allow you to budget for all your expenses properly.

What facilities are close by – restaurants, shopping malls, airport?

Some places are centrally located, which makes it easy to grab things that you need. Others may be more secluded and require time to get to where they are located.

Will you need to rent a vehicle? If you drive, is there ample parking and is it free?

How long will you spend in transit to get to other areas? Does the hotel provide complimentary transportation to any of these places?

Knowing these things will allow you to plan better.

We hope that you find these questions useful.  Reading reviews online can also be helpful. For your convenience, you can search Find Yello for hotels and related services.

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Sources: Huff Post, Oyster, 72H Travels, Moguldom and The Travel.