Need Advice About Hotels? Read These Tips.

There are quite a few hotels in the US, from the fanciest resorts to little motels on the roadside that aren’t all that modern. A good hotel makes a good trip even better, but a poor hotel turns a good trip into a bad trip. Read on to learn how you can find a good hotel.

To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. This can help you choose which hotel to stay at.

TIP! Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking.

Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.

See if your organizational memberships offer any benefits. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!

TIP! Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members.

To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.

In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.

TIP! You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices.

To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. 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.

Not every hotel allows pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Be certain you understand all rules pertaining to pets. Some hotels only allow certain types, sizes and breeds.

TIP! Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify.

Consider your organizational memberships. Do they offer hotel discounts? Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!

If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.

TIP! If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. First, find out if the hotel allows pets.

Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.

Book any massage appointments you make early. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.

TIP! If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name.

Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have an adequate number of towels? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.

Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.

TIP! If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning.

Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. 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.

If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.

TIP! If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays.

If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. First, you’ll need to find out if a hotel is even pet-friendly. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. 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.

How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.

TIP! What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. The price of a hotel room varies with availability.

There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. Similar to frequent flyer programs, hotels have programs that add points on to your account each time you stay with them. 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.

Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

TIP! Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.

People who care about the environment may be more comfortable staying in a hotel that is eco-friendly. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.

Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. Use this type of thing to get with people you know while you’re in your hotel room so you can save quite a bit of money.

TIP! Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead.

When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. The prices are based partly on availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This will get you the best hotel rates. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.

Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.

TIP! When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there.

Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.

Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. If you don’t want to stink like a cigarette when you are leaving a non smoking hotel may be a good choice.

TIP! Check to see if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more.

To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. When you stay at a hotel, you get points you can use later on.

When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Many hotels do not have the items, and the ones that do may have a limited quantity. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

TIP! Ask for a roll away bed or crib when you are reserving your room, not when you arrive. These items are not available at all hotels.

If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. Nothing is worse than having excited kids who find out they cannot go to the pool.

Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. You may be thirsty and tired when you arrive. You might want to open the bottled water they left you. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Check the hotel gym and see if they offer it for free. Or, just bring some of your own from home.

TIP! Don’t get that bottled water and open it! You may arrive at your destination exhausted and thirsty. Finding a cold bottle of water in the little refrigerator may present a temptation.

Check in the bathroom first for bed bugs. You probably won’t find any in there. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.

Think about bundling your flight and hotel together. Check travel websites to see if you qualify for these savings. In order to make sure you’re getting the best deal, make sure you do a few comparisons.

TIP! You can often save money if you book your flight and hotel at the same time. Travel websites offer big savings when you book both your flight and hotel.

The truth of the matter is that many travelers simply don’t take the needed time to research in advance. As a result, they wind up booking the wrong hotel for their needs. This leaves them disappointed most of the time. Use the advice you’ve just been given, and enjoy your stay.

If an upgrade is desirable, try a strategy that might get it free. To do this, arrive at the hotel when you are supposed to check in. If your room isn’t clean yet, you may be offered an upgrade.

TIP! If you want a hotel room upgrade, try to get one without paying anything extra. To do this, arrive at the hotel when you are supposed to check in.