Nightly rate × nights is only the first line
A useful hotel estimate needs four inputs: the nightly rate, the number of nights, the number of rooms and the percentage of taxes and fees charged on top. Some booking sites display prices including tax by default; others show them excluding tax until the final step. Before you compare two properties, make sure both figures are on the same basis — ideally the full price for your exact dates and occupancy.
Also count nights, not days. A seven-day trip that leaves on the morning of day seven needs six nights. The suitcase planner keeps nights and days as separate settings for exactly this reason.
The fees that sit outside the headline price
- Tourist or city taxes — charged in many cities, often per person per night, and sometimes collected at the property rather than online.
- Resort or destination fees — a mandatory daily charge at some properties, usually described as covering amenities such as Wi-Fi, a gym or pool access.
- VAT and service charges — included or added depending on the country and the booking site.
- Parking — rarely included at city-centre hotels and usually priced per night.
- Breakfast — a meaningful add-on when not bundled, especially for families.
- Early check-in and late check-out — frequently offered for a fee rather than free.
Read the price breakdown at the final booking step, and the property's own policies page, before you commit. If a fee is described as payable at the property, add it to your estimate anyway.
Comparing accommodation types
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Short city stays | Daily housekeeping, staffed front desk, flexible rates often available | Fees can stack; little or no kitchen access |
| Serviced apartment | Stays of a week or longer | Kitchen and laundry reduce food and cleaning costs | Cleaning fees; fewer on-site services |
| Vacation rental | Families and groups | One large space shared by many lowers per-person cost | Cleaning and service fees; stricter cancellation terms |
| Hostel | Solo and budget travellers | Low per-bed price, social atmosphere, shared kitchens | Shared facilities and less privacy |
| Guesthouse or B&B | Small towns and rural areas | Local knowledge; breakfast often included | Few rooms; fixed arrival windows |
Refundable or non-refundable?
Flexible rates
- Cancel or change if plans shift
- Lets you rebook if prices fall
- Payment often taken later
Non-refundable rates
- Usually cheaper for the same room
- Money is gone if you cancel
- Travel insurance may not cover every reason
A sensible middle path is to book a flexible rate early, then switch to a cheaper fixed rate once your dates are certain — if the saving is still there.
Location is a cost line too
A cheaper room far from the places you want to be can cost more overall once you add daily transit, taxis back after dinner and the time spent travelling. When comparing two properties, add the difference in daily transport cost to the cheaper one. Being within walking distance of your main plans often pays for itself.
Per-room and per-person maths
Most hotels price per room, but occupancy rules vary: a room for two may cost more than a room for one, and extra beds for children are often charged separately. Vacation rentals may price by the property but add a per-guest charge above a set number. Always search with the correct number of guests, then divide the room total by the people sharing it to find each person's lodging share.
Deposits and card holds
Many properties place a temporary hold on your card at check-in to cover incidentals. It is not a cost, but it reduces your available credit or balance until it is released, which can take several days after check-out. If you are travelling on a tight card limit or a debit card, plan for that money to be unavailable.
A hotel checklist
- Search with the exact number of guests and rooms.
- Compare prices on the same tax-inclusive basis.
- Add taxes, resort fees, parking and breakfast.
- Adjust for the transport cost of the location.
- Choose flexible or fixed rates deliberately.
- Leave room on your card for deposit holds.