Hotel planning can be stressful and frustrating. How do you know that you are getting the best deal, or that the hotel actually resembles the pictures in the description? At the same time, why does one traveler review a certain hotel at 5 stars, whereas another one rated the same hotel with 1 star? Given the abundance of online reservations specialists, travel agents and hotel booking sites, it 's easy to spend a ton of time on researching the "perfect" hotel, and still end up disappointed once you actually check in. To ensure that you and your family enjoy a relaxing and hassle free vacation, and to help you avoid a nightmarish hotel experience, here are a few recommended points to follow when booking your next hotel stay. Read user reviews on each hotel, as these come from other vacationers commenting about the hotel that you are considering for your stay. User reviews will help clue you in on any obvious flaws regarding security, noise, accessibility and location. At the same time, user reviews will provide you insight on any major perks that you may have overlooked otherwise. The more you know about the hotel before making your final reservation, the more likely your expectations will be met. Start planning your hotel stay as far in advance as possible. The most obvious benefit of planning well ahead of schedule is your ability to save money. This is especially important if you plan to travel during the holidays or if a major event is scheduled to take place during