Hotel Secrets Straight From The Travel Experts

Have you ever regretted your hotel room? This can really ruin your entire vacation. The following article is packed with tips on how to find a great hotel at an affordable price.

Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. This will give you valuable information about the recent experiences of people at each hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.

TIP! Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at.

Check for online reviews before booking a room. This will give you know what others’ experiences of people at each hotel. What people say will help you in coming to the right decision.

Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.

TIP! Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. You can put just about anything in there, as long as it isn’t too big, and you won’t have to worry about it.

Use websites like Orbitz or Expedia for great prices. If you are a part of a loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.

A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.

TIP! There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price.

Consider ordering room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. While this could cost you a little more, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.

There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. They will also let you know what people pay on average when they go to that hotel. This lets you figure out if the deal you’re getting is a good one. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.

TIP! Take advantage of search tools online. These sites can help you get good deals.

You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.

Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.

TIP! Don’t book a hotel room without looking for online deals. Lots of times, when you book a room, they don’t tell you about online discounts.

There are many different things to think about when choosing a hotel to stay in. Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, a gym, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Try to find a tip that offers as many of your wish list as possible.

Know when 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. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.

TIP! Be aware in advance of the check-in time. Sometimes there are people that don’t know when the room will be ready and so they aren’t sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can’t check in.

Use online search tools online. These kinds of websites can help you get great deals fast.

To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.

TIP! You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time.

Inspect your room before unpacking.Is it tidy and otherwise clean? Are all the towels in ample supply?If you quickly note any problems, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.

Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.

TIP! Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet.

Do not assume that your pets are welcome at all hotels.

If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. The savings can really add up nightly.

TIP! Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. Many people are surprised to see hotel discounts included with their auto club membership.

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, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.

Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.

TIP! If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays.

If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, pack your GPS and running clothes.

If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.

TIP! In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels.

If you care quite a bit about your environment, you can chose a “green” vacation. There are several green hotels that feature green amenities. Some newer hotels have been built green and are built in a way that they get certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. A good travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.

Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.

TIP! Get a AAA membership to facilitate the process of booking a hotel when you travel. Members of AAA will get additional hotel discounts up to five percent, but you’ll also get discounts on rental cars as well.

The price you are charged for your hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Rooms are based on availability. This will net you to get a great price when it comes to hotel room.

When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is where you won’t find them. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s safe for pets and kids too.

TIP! If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there.

It is extremely frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to discover that there are none.

If you are going to need a rollaway bed or crib, specify this when booking your room. Some hotels don’t have these things, while others do have a few. Sometimes, there is an additional charge for these items. Make your needs known at the time you place your reservation so that you do not have any unpleasant surprises.

TIP! If you will be needing a rollaway or a crib, alert the hotel to this fact when making your reservation. They may not have any available.

You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan your trip right or you want to wait in a hotel lobby. Hotels need the time to clean your room cleaned up before you get to check in. If you can’t avoid being early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but don’t think that it will happen.

Don’t give into the temptation to take hotel linens home. Housekeeping keeps track of linens. It’s better to ask the hotel management if you can buy new ones of your own.

TIP! Don’t take any of the linens. Even though you might like the pillows, washcloths, or towels, the housekeeping staff will probably figure out you left with something and they might charge you.

Never actually check out earlier than your scheduled departure date unless it is absolutely necessary.The hotel might charge you a fee for your early departure. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, so they lose money if you leave early.

If you want the best rate for a hotel room, never book during the height of tourist season. Rooms are usually very expensive at that point in time. Try booking a room when it’s harder for hotels to fill rooms, like during the off-season. This will get you a real bargain.

TIP! If you are looking for a lower rate before you book a hotel, then don’t book a room during the peak season. This is the time that hotel rates are at their highest.

Don’t be tempted to open the bottled water! After checking in you may be thirsty and thirsty. The bottled water inside the mini fridge is calling your name. Hotels take advantage of this and will charge you a hefty fee for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Sometimes the gym at the hotel will give you free bottled water. It’s better to simply pack your own bottled water.

If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. An easy way to get this to happen is to show up on time for when you’re supposed to be checking in. A lot of the times your room may not be ready yet so they’ll give you a deal on a different room that’s better for free.

TIP! If you want an upgrade, try to get one for free. You can be sure of this by being on time to accept your hotel booking.

Don’t take linens from your hotel room.

In the event that you have to make hotel reservations while you’re on the road, stop at a tourist center or local gas station for information or a free booklet, and you may also find valuable coupons. So you can call ahead and get a room, rather than driving all around and hoping to find a good deal.

TIP! When booking a room while you’re traveling, look for brochures, maps and other things that can help you. This way you can just call ahead to book a room instead of driving around looking for a good bargain.

Don’t book your trip during peak periods. Rates are at this time. You are more likely to find a good rate.

It is possible to enhance your hotel experience by providing tips as necessary. Your room service is typically already tipped through billing, but the maids aren’t. Tipping well will ensure you get the attention you deserve.

TIP! Tipping when you should will make your hotel stay better. As as example, room service tips are included in the bill, yet maid service tips are not.

Rest Areas

Sometimes, a hotel room will have a view that’s great when compared to others. If the great view doesn’t cost more, see if you can get a room with a view. Just having a better view can enhance your enjoyment of your hotel stay. There’s no harm in inquiring about a better view.

TIP! Not all hotel rooms provide the same views. Request a room with a great view if you can.

If you find yourself having to book a hotel while on the road, check out rest areas or gas stations to find tourist books which will have maps, rest areas and gas stations for free tourist books that contain maps of hotels, and great discounts. This will help you can just call ahead and reserve the room that’s right for a good bargain.

Use special occasions to book your hotel while travelling. You could be offered something complimentary since you are visiting during a special time. Perhaps you might receive a bottle of champagne for free or something else. Don’t make up celebrations, though.

TIP! A special occasion is a great time to book a hotel room. Hotels will often throw in complimentary swag if you tell them you are traveling on, say, your anniversary or birthday.

Don’t pay the advertised price being advertised. Call them and ask about deals. You may also be able to locate discounts that are deep on the various travel websites.

You can find some great prices by checking the online websites of Expedia or Travelocity. These websites have deals that aren’t found anywhere else. Some may require you to bid, while others may give you a price and the star rating but not tell you the name until you decide to buy, so be aware of that.

TIP! Look at different websites online to find cheap prices. These websites have deals that aren’t found anywhere else.

Book your hotel plans during a special occasion. Hotels often provide perks if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. You may also be able to get a free champagne bottle or a similar thing.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. You can justify not tipping other services as the bill usually includes these extras, but it is customary to tip room service maids. You probably were being messy anyway, so you should try leaving the maid a tip for their good work.

TIP! Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. While you can get away without tipping for other things, you should certainly tip the maid.

Check online sites like Expedia or Travelocity to help you find great prices. You may have to place a bid, and others may not include the hotel’s name until you book a room.

Ask the hotel clerk about the best deals available. They can’t always lower the price, but they may be able to add a few additional perks to improve your stay. You have no way of knowing if you fail to ask.

TIP! To save money on your hotel stay, ask the employee booking your room if you can get a discount. If they cannot reduce the rate, they can often give you other perks like a free breakfast buffet or a continental breakfast.

It is customary to tip the housekeeper when checking out of a hotel. You can skip the tip for other things since the bill often includes extra charges anyway, but it is customary to tip room service maids. You probably were a slob, so you should try leaving the maid a tip for their good work.

Some hotel websites or brochures take advantage of Photoshop to give themselves a better image. There might be a bad neighborhood shaded out, or the kiddie pool is made to look bigger than it really is. Therefore, familiarize yourself well with the real environment of any hotel you’re booking.

TIP! Many hotel websites and brochures use Photoshop to enhance their hotels image. The pictures may be Photoshopped to eliminate unsightly things like a bad neighborhood or a run down pool.

It doesn’t hurt to ask and it might really pay off.

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Watch out for extra charges and hidden fees when using a third-party booker. Many times the initial quote does not reflect all of the charges.

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Now that you’ve read this, you should know how to find an affordable hotel. It is easy to get great value in hotel accommodations when you have good information. Just keep the tips that you have read here in mind.

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