Hotels vary from the luxurious resorts to shabby motels that are downright scary. Your choice in hotels can make the difference between a good trip and a bad one. Keep reading for assistance in finding a good hotel.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. It is easy to forget about the discounts. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. This can rack up a free night over the entire course of a whole week.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
When you’re looking for the perfect hotel, there are a few different things you should always check for first. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. Amenities that you might personally want or need include a swimming pool or gym, on-site restaurant, continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi or local calls. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
When can you check in? If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. You may save ten percent or more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.
Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Websites like TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter always have promising bargains for certain hotels that you won’t find anywhere else for a better price.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` Not only will AAA members receive discounts for a lot of hotel chains that make it worth getting into, you may also find rental cars more easily than those without the membership. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat that comes with some rentals.
If you’re going to be wanting a massage at your hotel, book it well in advance. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. The bathroom is not a common place where bedbugs would be. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Know what the pet policy is before you book. If you’re scared of pets or are allergic, you might want to stay away from pet-friendly hotels. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. It does take extra effort and expense to take care of pets issues and some hotels do not take the time necessary.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.
Be aware that you can’t normally check-in early at your hotel. Plan for this, or you may risk waiting in the hotel lobby for an hour or more. 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. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
If you are going to need a rollaway or a crib, make sure that the hotel knows this in the reservation process. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Talk about your needs when you reserve a spot so you don’t get surprised with something you won’t like.
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. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
It you’re able to, try not to check out until it’s time for you to depart. You may be charged a fee if you do. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
Don’t use the hotel bedspread if you can avoid it. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. This bedspread is where you would find the bacteria and germs. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. Not only will AAA members receive discounts for a lot of hotel chains that make it worth getting into, you may also find rental cars more easily than those without the membership. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
Understand your rights when it comes to hotels “walking” you. This refers to hotels overbooking their hotel rooms; therefore, the hotel room that you booked may not be available when you check in. When this happens, the hotel directs you to another property, “walking” you. Avoid this if you can, but if you must go someplace else, make sure the room you get is comparable to the one you booked, and you are paid to travel there.
Don’t make any long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
Avoid the bottled water! You may arrive at your destination exhausted and thirsty. This could tempt you to open the water that is in the mini-fridge or on the desk. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Sometimes the gym at the hotel will provide free bottled water. Even better, bring along a few of your own bottles.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Not every hotel will carry them, and the ones that do may not have enough to go around. There also may be an added charge for these things. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Often travel websites provide greater discounts for package deals. Always compare the prices from multiple hotels to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Do not open the bottled water in your hotel room. After you check-in you may feel tired and thirsty. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels know this and charge more for bottled water. Sometimes you can get a free water bottle in the hotel gym. Simply, bring your own bottled water.
In order to pay the lowest rate possible, don’t travel during the peak season. Usually, hotels charge their highest rates during these seasons. Instead, try book your rooms during the off-peak season when hotels are trying to fill up their rooms. You are more likely to be offered a good rate.
You can save money when traveling by booking your hotel and flight together. A lot of travel online sites feature serious savings for anyone who bundles things together. To get the most from this service, compare rates of several different hotels and airlines.
If you are already traveling but have to book rooms, check out ads at rest stops, tourist centers and fuel stations for complimentary tourist information that has maps with hotels including discounts. This will give you an opportunity to book in advance and get a deal without visiting a hundred different hotels.
Some people rush while looking for their hotel, and often take the first room they find. This is a risky approach that can backfire on you. You don’t want a dirty room or one without proper amenities, so checking it beforehand can remedy this.
Sometimes, a hotel room will have a view that’s great when compared to others. When the price is the same regardless of the view, ask for a room with a great view. Such things can make your stay much more enjoyable. There is no harm in asking if a room with a better view is available.