The Benefits of Booking Directly With a Hotel | Beacon Hotel South Beach

Booking Directly – When planning a trip, it’s enticing to go straight to an aggregator like Expedia, Priceline, Kayak or Booking.com. These online travel agencies–known in the industry as OTAs–have long been touted as the easiest method for finding the best deals on accommodations when you’re going out of town. Simply type in a few details, hit enter, and voila: the lowest rates appear. But this convenience comes at a price. Here’s why these third-party websites are not necessarily the smartest way for travelers to book hotels.

Cheaper Rates

First and foremost, hotels will often give you the lowest rate, full stop. Whether because OTAs take a while to update or because they’re taking a cut–keep an eye out for sneaky “booking” fees–you’ll rarely find a cheaper option than what’s shown on a hotel’s website.

Think of it this way: If a third-party is offering a service, such as helping you find the best hotels, they’re likely making money on commissions or other surcharges. Booking directly with hotels cuts out the middle man, so to speak. Some hotels, including the Beacon South Beach Hotel, guarantee you the lowest rate, even if you find a cheaper rate listed elsewhere. You might even get a better rate if you call the hotel in person!

More Flexible Bookings

Booking with the hotel usually yields more flexibility, for two reasons. The first is direct communication. When trying to get your money back or extend your stay by an extra day, it’s always easier to speak with the person in charge of reservations at the hotel. They can look at their availability and give you an answer in real-time. They’ll know if another guest just canceled, which might open up a room that hasn’t been processed in the system yet.

On the other hand, going through a third party to modify or cancel reservations can end up feeling like a game of telephone as the OTA relays your request to the hotel, and then back again.

Second, many hotels actually prioritize direct bookers when attempting to accommodate competing requests. That means that once you’ve made a request for the number of beds or special perks, you’re more likely to get what you want if you didn’t use an OTA.

Special Offers

Another thing to consider is loyalty or rewards programs. OTAs don’t typically honor these or reward points for booking, which means you’re losing out. Plus, many hotels offer perks or special offers you won’t find on aggregators. For example, the Beacon Hotel South Beach offers special packages, like a romantic getaway or pet-lovers packages, when you book directly.

Insider Knowledge

Money aside, booking directly with a hotel gets you access to local knowledge. The hotel’s staff know the area inside and out and can address all of your concerns, whether it’s about the room amenities or the greater area.

Have a question about logistics? Want to know the best lunch spot nearby so you can plan a meeting ahead of time? Does the hotel supply beach towels? Nothing beats talking to a real live person. The employees at the Beacon South Beach can point you toward the neighborhood’s best Cuban diner (Puerto Sagua), its hidden neighborhood gems (the infamous staircase from Scarface), and other local highlights. (And yes, we provide complimentary beach towels.)

Long story short? Booking directly with the Beacon Hotel Miami gets you great deals and insider knowledge that you won’t find on third-party travel agencies. Book your stay in South Beach today!

About Beacon Hotel

The Beacon Hotel is a gem among boutique South Beach hotels in Miami. Besides its premium location right in the center of Ocean Drive, and beautifully remodeled rooms and lobby, the Beacon gives you South Beach how it is meant to be experienced. Here, you have direct access to seven miles of sand and surf, unrivaled nightlife, premier shopping and dining. Enjoy infinite views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and historical sherbet-colored Art Deco architecture on the other. Be it honeymoon, anniversary or a romantic beach getaway, this historical oceanfront boutique hotel is a haven for a perfect romantic vacation. Beacon Hotel offers complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary beach towels and beach chairs in the room.