Ferran Barbarà
I am Ferran Barbarà, passionate about tourism and gastronomy in Maresme, and a specialist in marketing and web design, always ready to share my love for this vibrant Catalan region.
Hospitality
How to find a cheap hotel (and not regret it later). Tips and advice
Finding a cheap hotel doesn’t depend on luck, but on knowing what to look for.
Published: 2025
At Dynamic Hotels we have welcomed very different guests for years: families looking for a getaway near the city, couples who want to disconnect, groups of friends traveling together or professionals coming for work. That experience has taught us that finding a hotel that meets your needs doesn’t mean giving up a good price or risking a bad stay.
That’s why, under our slogan “The rest you seek, at the price you need”, we wanted to compile some practical tips to help you choose wisely. They are simple tricks, but based on what we see every day in our hotel chain.
The price is always in the details
A hotel may seem cheap at first glance (the price is usually very tempting), but the key to knowing if it is really affordable is to carefully check what the stay includes.
Sometimes that attractive number doesn’t include taxes, breakfast isn’t included or the cancellation policy makes the stay more expensive if something unexpected comes up. Comparing carefully and looking beyond the initial figure is the first step to booking at a good price.
Photo: @dyhotels
Ask about what you don’t see in the photos
Images are important, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Some services may be subject to seasonality or maintenance, such as a pool, a restaurant or a gym. It’s not bad faith, these things can happen.
Contacting the hotel directly before booking is the best way to make sure that what you value will really be available.
Photo: Jason Leung
Learn to read reviews carefully
Other travelers’ opinions are a very useful tool, but they need to be interpreted. It’s not the same for someone to say that the hotel is old as to describe it as unclean, or for a guest to be upset about a one-off detail compared to another who talks about their entire experience. You have to know how to read between the lines.
It’s also important to check whether comments mention the staff for their friendliness or service. When you’re looking for price and assume the hotel won’t be luxurious, human treatment becomes a very relevant factor.
Photo: Jason Goodman
Location changes everything
A cheap hotel next to the beach or near a big city can offer a very different experience compared to another cheaper one that’s far away. What you save in transportation, time and convenience also matters. The same applies to the concept of a hostel compared to a hotel.
That’s why, when comparing prices, it’s worth keeping in mind the location and how it fits with what you want to do on your trip.
Photo: @cubezhostel
Not all trips are the same
It’s not the same to travel on a romantic plan with your partner as it is with your family, with a large group or for work reasons. Each situation requires a different type of accommodation.
A hostel can be perfect for sharing experiences with friends, while a functional hotel near a big city is more practical for a work trip. The key is to choose accommodation that fits your plan, not the other way around.
Photo: @sara.carmona.h
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