There are so many factors to consider when choosing a hotel that doing so can seem overwhelming. It’s important to do some advance research. Develop a budget, make a list of the amenities you need and then start looking. If you remember these tips during your vacation, then you’ll have a much better time.
Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Check for online reviews before making any reservations. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Websites like TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter always have promising bargains for certain hotels that you won’t find anywhere else for a better price.
When you’re looking for the perfect hotel, there are a few different things you should always check for first. Price is one, but a prime location is another. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They can also show you what the hotel’s average rates typically are, allowing you to see whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
Check online for great hotel deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. You can save up to 50 percent, even on elite hotel chains.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.
Book massages as early as possible. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, and you don’t want to miss out.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You can save 5 percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Go for a jog every morning. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Utilize the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke. If they do, ask for this type of room. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.
How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. People who are allergic to pets obviously want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.
Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. In many situations in which the room’s price is a great deal, the undisclosed price of your transfer can frequently eat up the savings. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. Be sure to not to show up early so you don’t have to wait. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
Do not take any of the hotel’s linens with you when you leave. You will find yourself receiving a nice bill in the mail later. Ask if you can buy the linens from the hotel if you like them a lot.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. This is where bedbugs are least likely to be. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It can be a temporary haven for children and pets.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel together. You may be able to save a lot of money by booking both from the same place. If you want to maximize your possibilities, comparison shop the rates of multiple hotels and airlines.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. Ask for those rooms if you are a smoker. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
To get the best hotel rate, do not book at the height of the tourist season. That’s when it costs the most. Instead, book during off-season for the best prices. You are more likely to find a great rate.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. Sometimes a hotel will overbook and you will find the room you booked is not available. As a result, hotels will attempt to escort you to another hotel. Getting there early can usually prevent this, but if you do get “walked,” make sure your accommodations are not being downgraded in any way.
You may be able to receive an upgrade without being charged for one. You have a better chance of this if you arrive right at the time when you are supposed to check in. Hotels often count on their guests being late; therefore, they will often not have their rooms ready at the set time; therefore, by showing up on time, the hotel may provide you an upgraded room at no extra cost to you.
If you need to book a hotel room while already traveling, check gas stations or rest areas for free pamphlets containing maps of the area and information about local services. This helps you call for your room instead of driving from place to place and wishing for an awesome deal.
Some rooms in a hotel have a nicer view than other rooms. If it isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to get a nice view, request one. Although a great view is not the most important thing when booking a hotel room, it can maximize your enjoyment. It won’t hurt you to ask them if they can get you a room with a better view.
As you can see, getting the right hotel at the right price is definitely possible. So keep the advice from above in mind and start planning your next trip. You are likely to have a comfortable stay and pay a price you are happy with.
You should never pay the price posted at a hotel. “Rack rate” refers to the premium price and you never have to pay that if you understand a few essential tips. Hotel staff assume that clients will try to haggle over their room rates. Just call the hotel desk or service number and inquire about getting a deal. Assert yourself. Many different travel websites will also give you discounts.
