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You know the feeling. You open one hotel tab, then another, then a map, then a review site, and suddenly it’s midnight with fourteen windows open and no decision. You’re not alone. Lighthouse, a hotel analytics firm, cites Criteo data estimating that the average traveler reviews about 25 hotel options before booking.

As a certified Fora Travel Advisor, my favorite part of the job is making that pile of tabs disappear. Here’s the shortcut I use, and one you can borrow even if you never hire me.

Start With the Feeling, Not the Hotel

Most of us search by destination and then scroll through photos. But a hotel is where you’ll spend your mornings, your quiet evenings, and the moments in between, so it makes sense to start with a different question: how do I want to feel?

I’m not the only one who thinks so. In Booking.com’s 2027 travel trends survey, 81% of respondents said they would pick a destination based on how they want to feel. (As with any survey, that’s stated interest, not confirmed bookings.) Rested, adventurous, pampered, connected, or totally unplugged: name the feeling first, and your options shrink fast.

Four Feelings, Four Kinds of Stay

These are the general matches I reach for when a client tells me what they’re craving. Every trip is different, so treat them as a starting point.

• “I need to fully rest.” Look for a quieter property with on-site dining and a calm setting, so you never have to plan a meal or find a ride. Fewer decisions is the whole point.
• “I want to explore.” Choose a walkable neighborhood over a big resort. A smaller hotel in a lively area puts the local cafes and streets right outside your door.
• “I’m celebrating.” This is where a full-service luxury property can shine, with the spa, the dining, and the polished service all in one place.
• “I want a story to tell.” A boutique stay with real character tends to do it. I break down the differences in my guide to boutique vs. luxury hotels.

Pay for What You’ll Actually Use

Another finding from that same Booking.com survey: 66% said they would prefer packages that let them remove services they don’t expect to use, and 58% said dietary considerations could influence their choice of accommodation or destination. I see this in real planning conversations too. Before you fall for a gorgeous pool, ask yourself whether you’ll swim in it, whether breakfast is included or just a nice idea, and whether the restaurants fit how you like to eat.

A Word on Timing

Travelers are searching later and later. Lighthouse data shows that in the US, hotel searches made within 28 days of the stay rose from 32% to 46% of all searches. Waiting can be fine for a flexible weekend away. For a holiday week, a special celebration, or a smaller property with limited rooms, though, I’d rather you lock in your first choice than gamble on what’s left. Rates and availability change often, so it’s always worth confirming current details before you book.

What I Do With Your Feeling

Once you tell me how you want your trip to feel, plus your dates, budget, and must-haves, I narrow the field to a handful of hotels that fit. Through Fora, I can often access perks at select partner hotels, such as breakfast, hotel credits, welcome amenities, or upgrades when available. Perks and rates vary by hotel and dates, so I confirm what’s current before you commit. You get a short, thoughtful list instead of twenty-five tabs.

If you’d like to browse first, my Curated Stays page is a good place to start.

Ready to Close Those Tabs?

Tell me where you’re headed, or just how you want to feel when you get there, and I’ll take it from here. When you’re ready, Book with Me.

Sources: Hospitality Net / Lighthouse, “Hotel booking trends 2026” (March 2026); Booking.com 2027 travel trends (Oct 2026).

Photo by Michael Lock on Unsplash