From Cancun hotels to Maui resorts, how to book a smart stay

Your hotel experience can make or break your vacation - just ask anyone who's ever had a disastrous stay. If you're headed to a place you've never been before, or just want to branch out to a new hotel in a destination you visit often, the wealth of information available to you can feel overwhelming - but it can also be helpful, if you know how to use it.

Rather than going directly to a hotel company's website, start by going to a travel site like Travelocity.com that gives you a broader, unbiased selection to choose from. Once you're there, consider these tips:

* Take traveler advice - with a grain of salt. You should absolutely look at the comments that other travelers have left about hotels. However, you can't always take them at face value. Read as many as you can and if there are complaints, see which ones are consistent. Always keep in mind that some travelers are more demanding than others - the lack of a mini-bar might be OK with you, but drive someone else crazy.

* Look at location. In some places and in certain situations, it might not matter where your hotel is located, but for many travelers, being right in the thick of things is important. Some travel sites let you browse hotels by map - so if you're looking at Chicago hotels downtown, you can pick out a hotel north or south of the river based on where you need to be.

If you're planning something beyond the usual hotel stay - such as a resort vacation or an international trip - there are other factors to think about when booking.

When it comes to resorts, you've got an almost endless array of options. The most important thing to consider is what kind of trip you're taking. If it's a family vacation, make certain that the resort has plenty of kid-friendly activities and actively welcomes families with kids. If you're taking a warm weather vacation where beach time is your top priority, make sure you're staying at a resort that is not only beach-front, but has all the services you might want or need for seaside fun. For instance, some Maui resorts have private beaches, while others just have pools. Know what you want and you'll get just that.

International hotel booking can be confusing and challenging, particularly if you try to deal with far-flung hoteliers on your own. If you want to book Cancun hotels but don't speak Spanish, hit the Web and you won't have to take a language crash course to get the right number of nights booked. By using travel booking sites, you'll save yourself time and the potential headaches that can arise from miscommunications.