Avoid spending telephone time on hold: call for reservations early in the morning or late at night.
Hotels aren't legally bound to honour reservations, but in case of overbooking, they must obtain comparable lodging for you elsewhere, and they must pay for your transport there. To protect yourself when making reservations, always get a confirmation number and write it down.
Ask about the cancellation policy. You may find that you can be charged for late cancellations.
If you've booked a room for a week and paid only a night's deposit, it's all right to leave after the first night if you're not satisfied.
