Today just about pushed me over the edge while trying to gather enough information to book a budget hotel for the first night of our January Vietnam trip. (We will arrive Saigon at night.)
Keep in mind that travel guide books are nothing more than a guide, because the budget hotel scene in Asia can change significantly in 6 months. What was nice and clean in July could be a dump in December. And, who knows when the guide book was written?
The online travel forums are more up to date, but I sometimes wonder if many of the contributors are merely looking to see their words in print rather than giving travelers some good information about a place. Like, who cares if the hotel owner didn’t strike up a friendship? Maybe he/she was busy… or shy. Does the owner’s personality really matter if the hotel is centrally located, and the room is clean and comfortable… at the price you want to pay?
I don’t recommend showing up in a strange city at night without a hotel reservation. Therefore, you should take a calculated stab in the dark and make a reservation, like I’m doing. However, I do recommend you arrange your transportation to get you to your on-going destinations during daylight hours, if possible. Then, with the use of your guide book, go to the neighborhood with the most budget hotels, and make the rounds on foot. Always look at the room before moving in. Shop around for unexpected bargains. Good things can happen, and it usually doesn’t take much time.
Our track record for finding good budget hotels is excellent when we do the afternoon walk-in, and sometimes less than great when we make a reservation from afar… like I’m doing today. Thankfully, we will only pre-book the first night of this trip.
