Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Attractions include their world famous Thai food, Thai massages, spas, tropical beaches, year-long sunny weather, a rich cultural history and extremely affordable prices. Make sure to book your hotel ahead of time online to avoid any frustrations during your vacation. Several websites provide last-minute booking specials, online discounts and lowered rates during the off-season.
Decide where you want to visit in Thailand and plan a schedule with specific dates. Avoid any hotels too far away from your vacation destinations. Lengthy taxi trips can add up. Many tourists land in Bangkok, stay a few days and then head north to Chiang Mai for culture and history, or south to visit the beaches in Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya.
Use websites such as hotelthailand.com, asiarooms.com and thailandhotels.net to find deals on hotels in the area you will be visiting. Read customer reviews carefully. Budget travelers can stay at hostels for under $20 a night. Many hotels have discounts when you stay for longer than a week. Make sure all taxes are included when comparing costs.
Book your selected hotel on the website with a major credit card. Some rooms have instant confirmation, so the room is booked to you once you pay. Others have "On Request/Confirmation by email" so you must wait a day to see if the room is available and then you receive a confirmation by email.
Search for hotels in person as a last resort for emergencies or when your plans change at the last moment. Prepare to haggle on any price you are offered. Many cheap hotels are filled with staff who do not speak English well. Presenting a business card, having a business-like appearance and asking for a corporate rate may get you a discount.
