Okay, let me walk you through how I tackled finding hotels based on the stuff I actually care about, the amenities. It used to drive me nuts.
Starting Point: The Usual Frustration
So, you know how it is. You need a hotel. Maybe you absolutely need a gym, or perhaps you’re traveling with your dog, so “pet-friendly” isn’t just nice, it’s a must-have. I kept running into this problem where the big-name booking sites would let you filter, but it felt kinda basic. You’d tick “pool,” but couldn’t specify “indoor pool,” or the “pet-friendly” filter was buried, or worse, not even there.
I’d spend ages scrolling through hotel descriptions, squinting at photos, sometimes even having to call the hotel directly just to confirm if they had that one specific thing. It was a real time-sink, and honestly, pretty annoying. I thought, there has got to be a better way.
Digging Around for Better Filters
My first step was just trying different search terms on the main booking platforms. Instead of just the city, I’d try adding “+ gym” or “+ free breakfast” right in the search bar. Sometimes that helped surface relevant options, but it wasn’t consistent. Results were often messy.
Then I started exploring the advanced filter sections more deeply. Some sites are better than others, for sure. I made a mental note (and later, an actual note) of which platforms had more granular filters. I specifically looked for things like:
- Specific pool types (indoor, outdoor, heated)
- Gym / Fitness center details
- Pet policies (fees, size limits)
- Breakfast specifics (free, buffet, continental)
- Parking details (free, valet, on-site)
- Business facilities (meeting rooms, business center)
- Accessibility features
I found that some platforms that maybe weren’t the absolute cheapest sometimes had way better filtering capabilities. It became a trade-off: pay a tiny bit more sometimes, but save a ton of hassle finding the right place.
Trying Out Different Tools & Tactics
I experimented with a few different websites and apps. Some were the big household names, others were slightly more niche or focused on specific travel styles. I didn’t just look, I actually tried booking or at least getting to the final confirmation page to see how the amenity information held up throughout the process.
One thing I started doing was using map views combined with filters. This was super helpful. I could visually see hotels in the area I wanted and apply my amenity filters. It helped weed out places that were inconveniently located, even if they had the pool I wanted.
I also found that some hotel chain websites themselves have pretty decent amenity search functions if you know you like a particular brand. If I was looking for, say, a place with a solid business center, sometimes going direct to a chain known for catering to business travelers yielded better results faster than wading through a massive aggregator site.
What’s Working for Me Now
So, after all that trial and error, here’s my refined process:
First, I still often start wide with one of the major aggregators known for decent filters. I immediately dive into the filter options and check off my non-negotiables. If I need that indoor pool and free parking, those boxes get ticked right away.
Second, I use the map view extensively. Location is key, and seeing the filtered hotels plotted on a map saves me from clicking through dozens of listings only to find they’re miles away from where I need to be.
Third, if the aggregator site feels a bit vague on a crucial amenity, or if I’m loyal to a particular chain, I’ll cross-reference directly on the hotel’s or chain’s own website. Sometimes they list more detailed info there.
Fourth, I always, always read recent reviews mentioning the amenity I care about. Filters are great, but sometimes things change, or the “gym” is just a dusty treadmill in a closet. Real guest experiences give you the ground truth. Searching reviews for keywords like “pool,” “breakfast,” or “parking” is a goldmine.
It’s not about one single “magic” tool, really. It’s more about using the available tools strategically and knowing where each one shines or falls short. It takes a few extra minutes compared to just booking the first thing that looks okay, but it saves so much potential disappointment down the line. Finding a hotel that actually fits your needs, amenities and all, makes the whole trip better. That’s been my experience, anyway.
