Booking Local Tours & Hotels Abroad: Why Reviews Matter More Than Price

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Our Hotel & Tour Drama: What happened?

When we arrived in Wadi Rum, Jordan, it felt wild and remote in the most beautiful way — endless desert, dramatic red rock, hardly any buildings in sight. But the moment we stepped out of the car, we were suddenly surrounded by people offering tours.

“Cheap jeep tour!”
“Best price!”
“Come now, we go now!”

Trucks idled nearby, drivers waving us over, promising to show us all the sights for far less than anything we’d seen online. And for a split second, it was tempting. The desert feels simple — sand, rocks, open space — so you start thinking, how different can one tour be from another?

But travelling with a young child changes your mindset completely.

Out there, miles from anywhere, safety suddenly matters more than saving money. Who are these operators? Are they insured? Do they actually know the terrain? What happens if you break down or something goes wrong in the middle of the desert?

That uncertainty just didn’t sit right with us.

So we stuck with what’s worked for us for years and booked through reputable platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator instead — places where you can read reviews, compare itineraries, and know there’s accountability if things don’t go to plan. When you’re travelling as a family, that reassurance is worth far more than a bargain price shouted from the roadside.protecting yourself in hotels.

But even pre-booking doesn’t mean everything will run smoothly.

We’d reserved a desert “tent camp” online through Booking.com. The photos looked great, the price was reasonable — maybe even a little too good — but I didn’t dig into the reviews as much as I normally would. When we arrived, the owner reached out via whatsapp to tell us we had to buy their tour to reach the camp. If we didn’t, we’d have to pay an extra supplement just to be taken out there.

None of this had been mentioned in the listing.

It felt like we were being backed into a corner — suddenly expected to spend an extra £80 on something we didn’t want or need. We’d already booked a separate tour, and I wasn’t prepared to be pressured into paying twice. Plus this was a big red flag that told me this was not a reputable individual and I had no desire to stay at this camp. So we stood our ground and asked them to cancel the booking free of charge. Which they agreed to… but that left us with a new problem.

We had nowhere to stay. That day. In the middle of the desert.

To make matters worse, I didn’t have any signal, there were hardly any cash points around, and services in Wadi Rum are limited at the best of times. We ended up driving to the only restaurant we could find, ordering food just so we could use the WiFi, withdrawing cash, and scrambling to book somewhere — anything — for that night. Eventually we found another camp. Not many reviews, not particularly cheap, but available. At that point, it was less about perfection and more about having a roof over our heads.

They got in contact promptly, arranged to meet us to transfer us to the camp at a time convenient to us – so far, so good! When we arrived, it still wasn’t quite what had been advertised. The promised WiFi didn’t exist, there was no air conditioning, the tents looked tired, and the water barely worked. It clearly wasn’t luxury. But what we didn’t feel was unsafe.

And somehow, once we let go of expectations, it turned into a lovely evening. The host cooked us a simple local meal, we negotiated a discounted price for the clear misrepresentation on booking.com, and we spent the night sitting quietly under the stars with Joshua, spotting constellations and enjoying the stillness of the desert.

It wasn’t polished or Instagram-perfect — but it was real. And memorable.

Still, the whole experience taught us a lesson we’ve carried into every trip since: cheap or rushed decisions can cost you far more in stress than they save in money. Reviews matter. Transparency matters. Knowing exactly what you’re booking matters. Because when you’re travelling with kids, the goal isn’t just adventure — it’s peace of mind. And peace of mind is priceless.

Family Travel Tips for Booking Tours

• Use trusted booking platforms - GetYourGuide, Viator, for tours and I recommend Hotels.com for hotels, you need to focus yourself on reviews

• Check reviews carefully - Look for recurring issues, especially with family-friendly amenities like bathrooms, beds, and safety. Be cautious of accommodation with limited to no reviews, what we discovered was companies shut down if they have a number of bad reviews and simply restart under a new name.

• Know what’s included - Confirm transport, meals, and activities in advance — avoid hidden charges.

• Have a backup plan - In remote locations, identify nearby restaurants, cash points, or alternative accommodations.

• Prioritise safety over price - A slightly more expensive tour is often worth the peace of mind with children.

Rule for families: reviews and planning outweigh saving a few pounds — comfort and safety first.

Find this post helpful, you may enjoy more top travel tips in our Family Travel Playbook or looking for your next trip inspiration check out our Inspire Me page

For more or Jordan start with the ultimate 9 day road trip itinerary covering Petra, the Dead sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum