Whether you are booking a hotel for yourself, or for your family, or even for a large group such as a work trip or group of friends, there will be a number of varying factors that you will need to take into account when making your decisions. This can certainly seem quite bewildering, and can prove difficult to know where to start.

On top of which, once you decide to do the research online, you may well come across a range of websites which allow you to search for hotels by using filters. These are search engines specifically designed to display relevant hotels based on your criteria. It is important to have a reasonable idea of what you need in advance of starting your research. Otherwise it can be too easy to become sold on the range of extra options and amenities which will be displayed in glossy Technicolor, along with slick sales pitches that tell you what you want, even before you know it yourself.

It may well be that price is the most important factor, and in almost every case it is at least going to be one of the most significant factors in anyone's choice of hotel. However, it's also too easy to start restricting yourself too early on by ignoring the possibilities of the hotels just a little above your budget. So, it's worth being flexible in your investigation, and pushing the limits of budget above your target, just to give yourself the opportunity of seeing what is available.

Remember, even though you may be looking at hotels above your target price, it is unlikely that you will end up paying these prices. Many people do, but forget that you are quite able to haggle. In addition to which, if you check the prices on the search engines, then go to the hotel's website directly, you'll often find that either the hotel offers a discount for booking directly, or that it offers a guaranteed lowest price, beating any other price listed on the internet. In addition to which, if you telephone the hotel rather than use the website, you will have the opportunity of haggling on the price and trying to get it even lower.

Using these techniques you may well find that you are able to get a hotel that would normally be above your budget, but for a very affordable price. So give yourself the chance to do this, and don't limit yourself too early on.

Other factors to consider will of course be the location, and what amenities or facilities are available or included. Location will make a big difference on price, and being prepared to book a hotel that's a little further from the beach or the city will bring the price down massively, allowing you to then upgrade the type of hotel you're looking for. You might have to end up walking a little way, but since you're on holiday, what's the hurry? You might even find yourself discovering places you would have missed otherwise.

The facilities offered by the hotel are of more interest to some people than others. There are people who spend almost the whole holiday at the hotel enjoying its private beach, pool and bar. However, others simply sleep there and then get out to explore the area. If you're the latter type, then it may also be worth considering hotels with far fewer facilities, because, again, this will decrease the price dramatically.

So, think about what your needs really are, and don't be bamboozled by the sales pitches and glossy brochures! Be prepared to search for hotels above your target price, with a view to getting these reduced, and think very carefully about location and facilities, compared to your own needs and preferences.