It is hard work when you are trying to plan a vacation. You have to pick a great place to go, your transportation and your hotel accommodations. Making the wrong decisions can spoil an otherwise great vacation. This article is full of excellent advice about booking a good hotel.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. This can help you choose which hotel to stay at.
Check online hotel reviews before booking your stay. These provide you with first-hand information from people that have stayed at each hotel. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can ensure you make an informed decision.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Do they offer hotel discounts? People frequently forget these discounts are available, and they can be 10 percent or more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
Use websites to find the most competitive prices for great prices. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AARP.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.
Check with the organizations that you are a member of. Some groups provide members with discounts for different reasons from different hotels. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, and they can be 10 percent or more. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
Take advantage of search tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These websites allow you to locate great deals quickly.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Know the check-in time. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if you think you’ll be early.
You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!
Don’t think that all hotels will welcome your pet.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best professionals are often in high demand, and you don’t want to miss out.
To ensure that you and your special someone get the right couples massage during your stay, book your appointment as early ahead of time as you can. The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.
If you’re a member of the AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts may be lurking. You may be able to save up to an additional five percent at hotels nationwide. This can really add up over several nights.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
It may be wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They offer benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. You can often earn free upgrades, late checkout time, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Some newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
The price for any give hotel room has much to do with what you book the room. Rooms are typically priced based on their availability. This will get you receive the best available price.
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. Availability sets pricing. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. You may find the best prices this way. They’ll lower the price to fill the room.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfers when booking a room.Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. You will save more by asking about this beforehand.
If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Ask if there is smoking or non. If you do not smoke, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Find out what the hotel handles pets. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, but some do not charge much. The fee charged may be for any cleaning involved.
Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
Not every hotel will often have a very limited supply. Talk about these issues as you make your reservations.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. Bedbugs are rarely seen in this room. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Never actually check out earlier than your scheduled departure date unless it’s an emergency. The hotel might charge you a fee for your early departure fee. If you check out too early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room.
Be aware that it is normally not possible to check into a hotel early. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but this should not be expected.
Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. It may be a carrier of germs.Just remove it from the bedspread.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Hotels usually have a limited number of these, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. There also may be an added charge for these things. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.
Be aware of your options in case a hotel attempts to “walk” you. This will require that you’re going to have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you’re going to a different hotel, make sure you get a comparable or better room and the travel to there paid for.
Avoid the bottled water! You will likely be thirsty when you check in. You might feel the urge to untwist the cap on the bottled water sitting in the mini-fridge. The hotel is counting on this, and as a result, they mark up the prices on the bottled water. Sometimes you can get a free water bottle in the hotel gym. It is best to simply bring your own bottled water.
You can often save money saved if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. Travel sites typically offers savings when you book more than one service at the same time.
Don’t take any of the linens. If housekeeping notices that you’ve taken towels or linens, you may be billed for those items. If you actually like the hotel’s stuff, ask if there is a way to purchase the items.
You can get better hotel rates by booking during peak tourist seasons. Rates are at this time. You will normally receive a better chance in getting a good rate.
You hotel stay might be more pleasant if you tip when appropriate. An example would be room service because it has the tip on the bill. However, you’ll find that maids don’t get extra so you may want to tip them. If you are willing to tip, then this ensures you gain respect during your hotel stay.
Gas Stations
Hotels may advertise one price but you can usually get a much lower price. Hotels post this rate, referred to as a “rack rate”, in hopes that uninformed travelers will pay it. Frankly, hotels expect travelers to haggle over price. Ask the hotel for a better deal. Be bold. Visit travel websites to enjoy some excellent discount rates.
If it becomes necessary to book a hotel from the road, check out rest areas or gas stations to find tourist books which will have maps, tourist centers and gas stations to find tourist books with maps of hotel locations, and great discounts. This will help you call ahead and reserve the room instead of driving around looking for a good bargain.
Make your hotel reservation during any special occasion. You could get a perk because of the event in question. They might even give you a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Do not fabricate a story though, as that would not be ethical.
Some hotel rooms will have better views than others. If room prices are not affected by the view, request for a room with a great view. A good view can take your vacation to another level. It does not hurt to inquire about the availability of rooms with a view.
Watch out for hidden fees if you are using a site other than that of the hotel’s to make your reservations. Frequently, the price that is displayed to you is not the net price. Find out what charges are included at the final price by reading all of the fine print.
Do not let bad hotel accommodations spoil your trip. Take the time to plan your trip and research your hotel options. Booking a good hotel is easy with the right tips. You don’t want your vacation to be ruined simply because of the hotel. Keep these tips in mind before your next vacation.
Remember that quality among hotels within a specific chain may vary. A good experience in one hotel from their chain doesn’t mean you’ll have a great experience at another hotel in their chain. Check the information on each hotel before you book a room.