The Skinny On Choosing The Best Hotels

The U.S. has thousands of hotels that range in prices, sizes, and features. Hotel quality can make or break a vacation. Continue reading this article for information on finding great hotels.

Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.

TIP! Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates.

Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. Other customers can give you some valuable insight and help you choose the right place to stay.

Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.

TIP! Room service is great for late meals. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.

Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. Room service generally costs more than ordering out; however, it is nice to be able to order a meal in the middle of the night if you so choose.

There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. The cost is important but hardly the only factor to keep in mind. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.

TIP! When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. You should look at the price, but you should also look at the location that is most convenient for what you want to do.

Consider your organizational memberships. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.

Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. The websites can also help you decide the best time to take a trip and where you can eat, shop or sight-see.

TIP! You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These websites will help you find good deals quickly.

When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.

You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.

TIP! Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call before you book so that you know for sure.

Look for deals online. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal 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.

If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Go for a jog every morning. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.

TIP! If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked.

Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is the room clean? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.

Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They have benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.

TIP! Do you travel on a periodic basis and use the same hotel chain? If so, check out the loyalty programs provided by that hotel. They offer a variety of benefits to their members.

Know your check-in time in advance. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.

Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.

TIP! People who care about the environment may be more comfortable staying in a hotel that is eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today.

To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. 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 find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.

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 you can, make your reservation no earlier than 24 hours before you arrive. This will get you a great price on your room. They’ll lower the price to fill the room.

TIP! How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product.

If you’d like to bring Fido on your next trip, you must make some advance plans. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.

Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.

TIP! Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.

Always book early for that special couples massage for you and your loved one. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.

When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.

TIP! Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability.

If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!

In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Instead, use the Internet. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.

TIP! Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Rather, use a web tool.

Green Hotels

If you are going to inspect if your hotel room has bed bugs, then start looking in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It’s safe for pets and kids too.

TIP! If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs.

If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.

Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room. Request a non-smoking room if you do not want to smell like cigarettes.

TIP! If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. 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.

Consider joining a membership program if you travel often. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.

If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. If they do, ask for this type of room. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.

TIP! If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers.

Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.

You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Be sure to not to show up early so you don’t have to wait. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you do get to the hotel early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.

TIP! It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room.

People are often stuck with a less than ideal hotel because they did not do their research first. Unfortunately, this tactic can virtually ruin a trip. You do not want to book a bad hotel room, so read on to learn more about getting the right one.

Think about bundling your flight and hotel together. It is not unusual for travel websites to provide large savings when a hotel is booked along with a rental car or a flight. Be sure to compare rates from airline to airline and hotel to hotel to get the very best deals.

TIP! If you book your flight alongside your hotel, then you’ll get a much better bargain deal. Travel websites offer big savings when you book both your flight and hotel.