Featured image: Jules Torti shares her tips on booking hotels in the Philippines and Vietnam | Photo provided by Jules Torti

A guide to help women plan longer trips with confidence

by Jules Torti

There’s a romantic delusion that travel is carefree and unscheduled. Sure, it’s an escape from the everyday routine, but then you have to establish a brand new routine in a destination where everything is unfamiliar, from the currency to the shower fixture. For two months, I was on the move for 34 days, sleeping (and not sleeping) in 14 different hotel beds in the Philippines and Vietnam with my wife, Kim. Sound glamorous? Let’s factor in seven flights with Air Canada, Philippine Airlines, Air Swift, Cebu Pacific and Cathay Pacific. And layovers in Seoul, Manila, Palawan, Hanoi and Hong Kong.

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Booking hotels in the Philippines and Vietnam

Booking 14 different hotels might seem like a fun spree, but when it comes to finding accommodations in Manila, Palawan and Hanoi, there’s a paralyzing number of listings. For the first time ever, I had to change the booking.com and Expedia filters to sort hotels from High to Low. You can still stay in places like El Nido (Palawan) for $8 CAD per night! If you’re thrifty and don’t mind tetanus, bunk beds, possibly nits and hovering over shared toilets, Hanoi could be your hotel heaven.

We opted to split our Philippines stay on Palawan Island between hectic and humming El Nido and the calm of Nacpan Beach. Could we survive a week without an en suite or private shower? As we clicked through the tempting photos of the seaside lotus tents at Nacpan Beach Glamping by H Hospitality Group, yep, we could.

We also had to choose a Manila airport hotel, a Hanoi arrival hotel and a jungle lodge in Cuc Phuong National Park. Our hiking leg through Northern Vietnam with Wild Women Expeditions (the company I previously worked for) ate up 10 nights that we didn’t have to fret about booking. After the group travel stint, Kim and I had another two nights in Hanoi to cram in Bahn mi, the famed Beer and Train Street.

It should be noted that Kim and I are fully aware that we are as picky as cacti about where we sleep. We insist on places with personality, a balcony and are stubborn hold-outs for western exposure (hello sunsets). We’re suckers for rooftop pools too.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or new and nervous, plotting a long leg can be a rewarding endeavour. There are so many cool hotels and glamping options! I have booked accommodations all around the world, and there’s always a learning curve. Here are a few tips to help you seamlessly navigate your next trip.

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My tips for booking longer trips with confidence:

1. Be sure to monitor your credit card charges and bank accounts during and after your trip.

The day after Kim and I returned home, we discovered that the Hanoi hotel we had stayed at had fraudulently charged our account four times with transactions of almost $5,000 Canadian. It was eventually resolved, but it took over six weeks and a lot of time on the phone with our bank to recover the funds.

2. If you are unhappy with your hotel room for any reason, request a room change.

We used our credit card rewards points to book a Manila airport hotel, and it was abysmal in every way. The shower door was off its hinges, and the faucet actually fell out of the sink basin. There was zero soundproofing, mould, and no towels. We called four times for towels and went to the desk twice to request them in person. When we informed our credit card provider about the condition and service at this hotel, nothing could be done because we didn’t request a room change. (Kim and I had assumed that every room in the hotel was going to be in a similar state, so it seemed pointless. And in the end, we had a 2:30 a.m. taxi pick-up, so our stay was going to be as brief as our sleep.)

3. Ask about hidden hotel perks and loyalty programs.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Toronto offers a free and enormous made-to-order breakfast. Kim and I typically end up on early bird departure flights, so we have missed this decadent affair. However, the hotel thoughtfully includes free coffee and to-go items (yogurt, muffin) in the lobby. Embassy Suites also hosts a “complimentary evening reception” with free drinks and apps. Let’s not forget about DoubleTree by Hilton’s perk of warm chocolate chip and walnut cookies at check-in!

4. Be sure to triple-check your flight arrival time.

If you are arriving after midnight, be mindful to reserve your hotel room for the “previous” night. Inform the reception of your late arrival too, as many hotels void your reservation after a certain time if you fail to show up, even if you have paid in advance.

5. Have local currency on hand for your arrival taxi fare.

If your hotel doesn’t provide a shuttle, ask the staff what the fare should be to avoid being overcharged. Drivers will sometimes suggest an extra fee for early departures or late arrivals.

6. Do your comps!

When Kim and I are searching hotels, we both go “dark” and use the Incognito mode (here’s a quick Google Chrome tutorial). Booking.com has a “Genius Points” incentive program which unlocks bigger discounts, free breakfasts or room upgrades. We typically compare Booking.com and Expedia rates and then check out the hotel’s website to find the best price. Booking directly through a hotel has its distinct advantages versus a third party when it comes to communication or altering a booking. Watch for hidden fees too (like the steep cleaning fees associated with Airbnb properties).

7. When faced with 5,678 listings in a city like Hanoi, be transparent about your plans.

Will you rely on public transit? What do you want to see in the city? Choosing an area that’s central to your itinerary makes sense—and if you have an early departure flight, choosing a hotel closer to the airport for your last night will alleviate the stress of navigating city traffic.