A hotel bed should be oh-so-comfortable.

It’s easier said than done: shopping for the best room that fits your entire requirement at a price that is acceptable to you.

Hotel shopping should be a breeze. There are now hotel booking websites that show virtual tours, features, vicinity, and customer reviews of hotels in specific locations. You can also avail of the latest sweetest deals over the internet; even name your own price if you want to. It seems like you can never go wrong nowadays when you pick up a hotel room.

Wrong. What is on paper (or in this case the screen) cannot substitute for the real thing. Pictures speak a thousand words but what you see on virtual tours is not necessarily what you will get. Rooms vary—standard, deluxe, suite, with the view, and handicapped accessible. Read more on the room descriptions to find out.

People writing reviews have their personal views and perceptions which may not be applicable to you. Things happen at different times, too. Like for example, you did not choose a hotel because a customer complained of noise since she stayed there during its renovation.  On the other hand you chose a hotel on the basis of someone writing that it was “peace and quiet.” You booked assuming that you will get the serenity you need but it was just unfortunate that when you checked in, the hotel is doing some emergency fixing of the room next to yours.

You sometimes don’t get what you reserved for. Like in a hotel that only gives you two options for beddings at a similar price: either two double beds or king size. Mostly, this is on a first come first served basis. If the hotel is fully booked, you will most definitely not get what you want.

Free continental breakfast. This is a deal closer. Most people want free food and it’s okay. But what do you really get for the money? Is it better to forego of better sleeping accommodation, which most higher-priced hotels offer but without the free breakfast. What is more important to you: sleep or food?

If you have a business in the area, it is sound to reserve a hotel close to it. This saves you gas. But if the hotel is not centrally located to shops and restaurants where you necessarily have to go, forget it.  You will still have to drive and that is equivalent to money and time.

It’s a totally different experience once you get to the hotel yourself and checked in. Yes, the internet makes it possible for you to find out what’s in a hotel before booking it but the actual experience would really prove if it is the right one for you.

On the personal level, I like a hotel where the sink is outside the bathroom. For sanitary purposes, I don’t want the coffeemaker and my cup to be in the same room where the toilet is. Plus, I wash my hands every so often that it’s convenient to not go to the bathroom every time I do.

Even if the internet does not give us the total picture, it is still better that we have an idea about a hotel before reserving a room. Hotel shopping comes with a lot of homework but it is all worth it.