Here are few things that one should look for while choosing a best deal in terms of choosing a hotel:

Price: While surfing for hotel sites in the search engines, you always have the choice to sort your results by price. Don't just go with big booking websites like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz. You must make your mind that should think about visiting

affordable booking sites like Kayak and Sidestep. As far as the lodging sites are concerned, you can go with sites that offer affordable rates. Sites like Hotels.com and PlacestoStay.com can prove helpful in solving this purpose with an ease! You must remember that you can check your own Bargain Box in order to get the best deal possible. As far as booking your online tickets are concerned, you can go with cheapoair.com, or similar sites that offer cheap booking rates. But make sure that you search for different quotes from different websites.
The next thing to look for is to get a wonderful location, and that too in affordable price range!

Location: The location of the hotel matters a lot, at least to me... Different sites like Expedia, Travelocity and Kayak, that are also affordable, and offer some of the spectacular locations are worth surfing once. The sites allow you to view your search results on a map so you can see which ones that are located on the beach or in the neighborhoods you prefer.

The fact that a majority of the booking engines, allow you to see individual hotels on a map, Expedia provides you with the facility of mapping your hotel in relation to a particular point of interest.
For example, if you want to have an accommodation near Times Square or the San Diego Zoo, or any other place of your choice, then the site is apt for you. The next thing to look for is the facilities of Amenities.

A lot of big and famous hotel booking engines provide you with the facility of choosing certain amenities when you're searching, such as a fitness center, swimming pool or restaurant.
One of the most important things to look for while surfing a hotel on web, is to look for Family-Friendliness. For example, if you are taking the kids on your next trip, you must try to avail family-friendly policies, in order to get a nice deal.

Other things to look for are: Luxury, Ambiance and Local Flavor, Loyalty Programs and Frequent Flier Miles and last. But not the least Eco-Friendliness