With the long weekend (fingers crossed!) fast approaching, many UAE residents will be planning a quick staycation or regional getaway at one of the GCC’s many fabulous hotels and resorts… But good quality doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Read on for compareit4me’s top five ways to save money on your hotel.

1. Compare rates online

Don’t book the first rate you see. Use hotel booking aggregator sites, such as Expedia or Trivago to compare rates. All you need to do is input where you want to stay along with the dates.

2. Then check the hotel’s website

Once you’ve gotten an idea of the rates available online, head to the hotel’s official website and check the rates there. While the rates will probably be identical, booking via the hotel’s sites can sometimes result in additional perks, such as free Wi-Fi, complimentary upgrade or free breakfast.

3. Location trumps amenities

When booking on a budget, the most important aspect of your stay should be the location as opposed to how many stars the hotel is. There’s no point opting for a great offer at a five-star hotel when you have to pay hundreds on taxi rides, because the hotel’s in the middle of nowhere. You could substitute loads of other offerings as well. For example, would you rather pay for fitness facilities or a location near the beach where you could go run for free in the morning?

4. Skip the room service

Avoid the mini bar and room service… the prices are marked up for the convenience. Pick up some bottles of water and you favourite drinks from the nearest supermarket (or airport), and go explore out of the hotel grounds and opt for some cheap eats outside instead.

5.  Never pay for Wi-Fi

This is especially important if you plan on working during your staycation. Wi-Fi costs can add up very quickly especially if you’re a family. Always book a hotel with free Wi-Fi. Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi to loyalty card members so it’s worth checking on their own websites as well.

compareit4me says: Remember when Ross from Friends got a bit over excited about the free stuff in his hotel? We’re not suggesting you go anywhere near that level of excited/crazy, but the free shampoo and shower gel is there for you to use. So use it! It will save you money…and avoid any exploding toiletries in your luggage.