A dream vacation can become a nightmare when you stay in a bad hotel. Hotels are not cheap, so you should know how to select the right one when you want to book one. So here are some tips to help you get the best room at the best price.
Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
Take a look into organizations you are part of. Some may offer discounts on hotels. These discounts are often neglected; however, they can save you upwards of ten percent. This can help you to save some cash, especially if you’re going to be staying for a few nights. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. It is your responsibility to find these 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.
If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. Be kind to other hotel guests by requesting a room that is as far away from other guests as possible, so they won’t be disturbed by any noise your pet may make.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you are early, your room may not be ready. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
Use your AAA discount at hotels. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. The savings can really add up nightly.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Rooms are priced based on availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. 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. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. If you are getting a very low price on the room, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. Nothing is worse than having excited kids who find out they cannot go to the pool.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. So if you are a smoker, be sure to ask for one of those rooms. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Now you should understand that some preparation goes a long way when it comes to booking hotels. You just will need to figure out what you’re doing and when you should be booking. Keep these tips in mind to find the perfect hotel.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan for this, or you may risk waiting in the hotel lobby for an hour or more. The hotels need a chance to clean up your room prior to check in. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.