The place you stay can be the difference in having a good or bad vacation. When you spend too much you can’t afford to have fun. Read on for suggestions on how to find hotels that match the budget you have set along with other personal needs.
Room service is great for late meals. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.
Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. 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.
Check with any membership programs for deals. Do they offer hotel discounts? People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
Consider your organizational memberships. Some may offer discounts on hotels. It is easy to forget about the discounts. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Know your check-in time in advance. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. 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. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
Be aware in advance of the check-in time. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Think about these three things if you plan to bring a pet with you during your hotel stay. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. 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.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.
Be sure and take care of three important things before bringing a pet on your trip to any hotel. Find out if the hotel allows pets. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
If you’re going to be wanting a massage at your hotel, book it well in advance. The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.
How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. Availability is one factor that plays a part in cost. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. This can add up in time!
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
Try out a green vacation. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Some hotels are certified to be green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
Join a membership program if you travel frequently. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This is the best way to get the best prices. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. Many hotels set aside certain rooms or wings for smoking guests. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. Don’t smoke in a nonsmoking room, or you may be charged by the hotel for doing so.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
If you will be needing a rollaway or a crib, alert the hotel to this fact when making your reservation. Many hotels have a limited number of these, so it is important to mention this at booking. Sometimes, there is an additional charge for these items. Talk about what you need when booking your room so you are not unpleasantly surprised.
Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. 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.
Do not check out early. Many hotels will charge a fee for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. So, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.
You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. Hotels have to make sure their rooms are ready for you. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.
For hygienic reasons, it might be best to avoid the provided bedspread in your room. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Just get that blanket off of the bed.
Staying in an expensive hotel can make you have a less than desirable trip because of the money it costs. Therefore, book the best hotel by utilizing the excellent tactics provided above. Keep these tips in mind whenever you plan on making a hotel reservation.
Resist the temptation to indulge in your hotel’s bottled water! You are very likely to be tired and thirsty when finally arriving to a hotel. You may decide to reach for that bottle of water calling to you from the mini fridge. Hotels are really aware of this, and the water will cost you quite a bit more than it really should. Sometimes the gym in the hotel will give you free bottled water. It’s better to simply bring your own bottled water.