Not pre-booking a hotel before a trip. Advise please.

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  cloudy on 06/10/2013 - 09:36

  +1

  I might also add in don't like the idea of spending my holiday hunting for accommodation, waste of time, but that's beside the point.

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  Slippy on 06/10/2013 - 10:02

  +2

  not sure about NZ but in asia it quite often works out cheaper, but just make sure when u rock into each hotel have your smartphone at the ready and just check the prices to make sure but most of the time walk ins will be given the cheapest rate

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  stemcell on 06/10/2013 - 10:04

  +2

  Rotorua is jammed with accommodation so don't worry about being out in the cold, as for price get an idea of what you want to pay from wotif and don't pay more :) I`ve never had to pay more when just rocking up to a joint and talking face to face.

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  Glittergirl on 06/10/2013 - 10:05

  I cant speak to Rotorua, however when I was in Perth and I did not like my accommodation, I spent a lot of time and money changing it. In my experience, smaller towns can charge more for accomodation because there isnt as much competition. I have found this in Canberra and Hobart too.

  It might be worth asking/looking at the Trip Advisor forum. Good luck :-)

  http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowForum-g255111-i1219-Rotorua_Ro…

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  YTW on 06/10/2013 - 11:39

  I can understand your concern. I don't see what they think they will gain from just turning up? I prefer to see pictures, look at reviews and then get the best online price and know that the room is booked and waiting for me.

  My best friend is the complete opposite and hates being tied down to a plan. She's the one who has ended up sleeping on church door steps, train stations and random peoples' houses (when she didn't actually check the one hotel on the island was open in off-season)…she actually enjoys that aspect of it and sees it all as a great adventure. That is a nightmare to me!

  If it's a tourist area then you should be fine - but maybe scope out prices so you have an idea of what to expect to pay.

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  cloudy on 06/10/2013 - 13:01

  Thanks for all the replies, it's not what u expected which is good, I didn't think so many would be happy to just rock up, and ur good experiences with it.

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  JediJan on 06/10/2013 - 13:04

  If you are fairly certain that there are no major conferences/celebrations (including school holidays) happening in the major towns you are interested in staying in then I feel certain not pre-booking could actually be a bonus. One thing the glossy brochures/advertising etc does not show is whether the noise from a main road or a nearby hotel etc may affect one's quality of a good nights sleep. I stayed at what appeared to be off the main road, quiet, lovely surroundings etc establishment to find that it attracted local drunken yokels who decided on a night of pool adventures was the way to go. You never know what may turn up on a Friday/Saturday, but your days (Sunday to Wednesday) should be fine. I never used to book before but these days (unless I feel certain there is lots of competition) I prefer to pre-book at known establishments. Perhaps see if Agoda has some good deals going too, but check on Google Earth too to help eliminate any known factors you may find annoying.

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  Almost Banned on 06/10/2013 - 15:52

  So long as its not a busy period you should be fine.
  Many years ago my wife and I just turned up to a few places in Rotorua - checked out the room, asked the price, then made a decision.
  Just earlier this year we booked a hotel room while driving from SLC to Los Angeles using the smartphone - no problems and got a good rate.
  Like I said, if its not a busy period there shouldn't be a problem. I would still do some research to decide what the hotel is like and what types of rate to expect.

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  fertiliser on 06/10/2013 - 19:18

  i did a 16 day drive around the south island about 2 years ago. Didn't book any accommodation except for the first two nights. While driving to our next destination, my passenger would find hotels on wotif and similar sites with a laptop tethered to my phone. Worked perfectly and we saved a lot of money (based off the rack rates/rates advertised on the hotels websites).

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  RockyRaccoon on 07/10/2013 - 19:33

  Not sure about NZ, but in the US we booked only a few nights ahead, like Las Vegas. Most times just took the ipad, and checked on line the night before or even the morning before, as we were never sure exactly where we would be that night, and never had an issue and got good rates. Just like Blaircam and jobler found.

  It gave greater flexibility as not always did you find the sights in any one place what you expected. Some you want to stay longer others you just want to get out of. Now if it was a busy time that might be an issue but you say its not.

  When we did NZ we didnt have the internet so it was a little harder, but we did have a Tarago type sleeper, so when one time we couldnt find any reasonable accommodation we just camped out, and that wasnt an issue.

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  altomic on 07/10/2013 - 20:45

  I hitchhiked around nz for 2 weeks without booking anything in advance. Not a problem.

  Though in December 1998 I was in Sarajevo and didn't book a hotel and it was -6 and a meter of snow. Only available place that would accept a western visa card was the holiday inn. Us$350.

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  Wade on 11/10/2013 - 10:01

  +1

  I've flown to Asia several times and not booked accommodation, and just walked around with my backpack to a few places to see who has good deals. It wouldn't be fun though going from place to place with a suitcase because the last place didn't want to budge on price though!

  I've only been stuffed twice. Once in Indonesia, I flew in from Malaysia, not knowing it was a holiday period, and I didn't even think about it being a Saturday, and couldn't find accommodation (unless it was the King George Suite for $900 etc - I'd rather sleep on the beach). I ended up sleeping on the floor of the room of a couple of Aussie blokes' hotel room that I met on the flight.

  And another time last year in Tokyo. I don't think it was high season per se, but Tokyo isn't really the place for it I guess. Couldn't find anything remotely reasonably priced, and was getting late, so I ended up in an internet café in Akiba surrounded by snoring otaku trying to book accommodation for the next night and sleep.

  My advice?
  If you're backpacking (i.e. no suitcase - I presume with a wedding, probably not), or have a car to drive around in - Sure, I don't think it would be an issue, however I think it will be much easier just to book in advance and have that peace of mind knowing exactly where you're going.

  Suitcases + Public transport? Don't bother.

  Cheers,
  Wade

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  Boshait on 13/10/2013 - 13:12

  Walk up is fine in low season but don't expect a discount if you arrive at 10pm lugging a suitcase and lathered in sweat. When going OS I usually book a night in advance and spend the first day hotel shopping.

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  MITM on 14/10/2013 - 01:07

  Forewarned is forearmed.
  Why dont you research a list of preferred accomms before you leave, and when it comes time, you walk from #1 to #10 on your list till you hit the right place/price.
  On day 2, you move to next on list if necessary.

  I'm with you - I was a boy scout once/still am - be prepared.

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  hypie on 13/11/2013 - 06:02

  Maybe you could just use booking.com to book a few rooms upfront (without paying). Then cancel them for free before the actual date?