A hotel room can make your trip a dream, or it can turn your vacation into a long nightmare. Considering what you pay to stay in a hotel, it’s important that you choose wisely. If you’d like to learn how to get a great hotel, keep reading the article below.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. Are you a member of a certain hotel’s membership program? If so, make sure you put this information into the travel site. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. 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.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
Consider your organizational memberships. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. You end up with an even bigger savings if your hotel stay is going to be for multiple nights. It may equate to one whole free night.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Price is one, but a prime location is another. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. So decide on the amenities that mean the most to you and start looking.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
Know your check-in time in advance. 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. If you find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough of the right linens? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. 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.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. This can net you a great deal. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Remember that hotel chains often provide loyalty programs offering excellent discounts. They provide you with points for every stay. These points can quickly add up to many perks such as a free night, discounts at the hotel restaurants, spa deals and much, much more.
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. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.
Green Hotels
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some new buildings are certified as green. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. Rooms are priced based on 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. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
These tips should help you understand that preparation is one key to getting the best room for your situation. You’ve got to learn what to be looking for and when you should be booking. Follow the tips presented here to find an excellent hotel at an affordable price.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. It might not cover deep cleaning.