The big red flag you should look for when booking your hotel

The next time you book your vacation abroad, you should double-check the hotel you’re staying at. While it can be tempting to book a new, fancy hotel, it could cause problems when you arrive.

Booking new hotels can be tempting - but they come with a risk

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Booking new hotels can be tempting – but they come with a riskCredit: Alamy

Many tour operators offer discounted offers for new hotels, so-called “soft openings”. This is because they don’t have many reviews or ratings yet, so they want to encourage guests to stay.

However, a new hotel runs the risk of not being ready on time – and ruining or even delaying your vacation. Tim Hentschel, co-founder of the HotelPlanner booking platform, advises waiting a few weeks before being one of the first to visit. He told Sun Online Travel: “If you are considering a holiday in a newly built hotel, avoid booking in the opening weeks.

“Occasionally construction work at the hotel may be delayed which means your holiday may be postponed or certain facilities may not yet be available.” Things like spas, restaurants, and swimming pools are the most likely to be closed when a hotel first opens. Tim added: “People save all year long and look forward to their time off.

So for the best possible experience, maybe try to book this hotel later in the year.” If you’re willing to take your chances, you can find a cheap hotel – but be prepared, it’s not perfect. However, over the years Brits have fallen victim to new hotels not being ready on time.

A family paid GBP3,050 for a holiday in Egypt only to find it was still under construction and had to stay at a different resort altogether. And a couple paid GBP5,000 for a dream holiday in Barbados – only to find the hotel covered in scaffolding. Tim shared his top tips for a safer way to find a cheap hotel.

He added: “Be flexible, book in advance, keep track of sales and coupon codes to get the best deal. “Tuesday to Thursday trips are usually much cheaper than weekend trips. Here are some other ways you can save money on hotel bookings, although it comes with a risk.

Another risky way to get a cheap hotel is to book a mystery resort.

Jen Avery of Thrifty Nomads said: “These booking sites negotiate discounted rates for vacancies.

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“However, users do not know the identity of their accommodation before purchasing it.

“Since this is especially true for high-end retreats looking to save face, mystery deals often result in significant savings on five-star stays.

Things like the pool could be closed when a hotel first opens (stock image)

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Things like the pool could be closed when a hotel first opens (stock image)Credit: Alamy

https://www.the-sun.com/travel/7724880/hotel-booking-warning-new/ The big red flag you should look for when booking your hotel

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