You will no doubt be booking hotel rooms at certain points throughout your life. Whether your stay involves business or pleasure, you must know what you are doing when it comes to selecting a hotel. This article has advice that can help.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. You can make a wise choice when you know what others think about a hotel.
Consider the benefits of any organization memberships you have. Some offer big discounts on hotel rooms. Some discounts can be over ten percent! This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates. Additionally, there may be other price breaks for you through various organizations, like AAA or other exclusive clubs.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, free local calls, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Shop around for a hotel that has the features that are most important to you.
Consider your organizational memberships. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.
Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. Is it clean? Does everything work? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you have any problem with the room, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
Ask the hotel about their check-in time.. If you are early, your room may not be ready. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. This can add up in time!
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs, hotels have programs that add points on to your account each time you stay with them. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.
Taking a pet on a trip requires some extra responsibility. Make sure it’s a pet-friendly hotel. Remember to bring bags so that you can pick up your pet’s waste when you travel. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Some new buildings are certified as green. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. This can add up on a long trip.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. The prices are based partly on availability. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. This will get you the best hotel rates. If the hotel never rents the room they’ll get zero dollars for it, so most of the time they will give you a steep discount on it.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. Go for a jog every morning. You’ll get plenty of good exercise and a better understanding of the city around you.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
If you travel a lot, you should consider joining hotel loyalty programs. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. Members of AAA get discounts at lots of hotel chains which more than makes up the membership to AAA, plus it is easier to rent a car anywhere you go. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels price rooms based on availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Using the Internet is a better option. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Smoking Rooms
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If you aren’t a smoker, then you want to avoid smoking rooms and maybe even smoking hotels in general, but most hotel chains do have smoking and non-smoking rooms. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.
Be sure you understand the pet policy of the hotel. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. Also, pet friendly hotels may have lingering odors that have been absorbed by carpeting or linens. Certain hotels will charge guests extra for keeping pets in the room; however, many hotels’ extra charge is very little. If the hotel allows animals in any room, then you may want to book elsewhere if you have allergies.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If they do, ask for this type of room. There are hotels that will charge you quite a bit if they find out that you were lighting up in the room that wasn’t for smoking. This is why you should stick to the rules.
As discussed here, everybody will need a hotel stay eventually. Whether you are staying for business or pleasure, it’s important you do your homework. So keep the above tips in mind to get a great hotel room with a price that makes it even more enjoyable.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. You can see if your room is ready should you arrive early. However, do not count on it.