Hotel Secrets Straight From The Travel Experts

Finding the perfect hotel can make or break an entire vacation. Read on to find out how to find the perfect hotel.

Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. If you have a membership in any other organization, put that down as well.

TIP! Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online.

Use websites like Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. You may also be able to get good discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA or AARP membership.

Consider ordering room service during your stay. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.

TIP! Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. 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.

You should put any expensive items to keep them secure.

If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.

TIP! Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.

Check in on the organizations you are a member with. Some may offer you discounts on hotels. People frequently forget these discounts are available, which can often be 10% and higher. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

What groups are you a member of? Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!

TIP! Double-check your organizational memberships. Do they offer hotel discounts? These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more.

There are things you should consider when choosing a hotel. Amenities that you might personally want or need include a swimming pool or gym, on-site restaurant, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Try to find a hotel that checks off as many of your wish list as possible.

Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.

TIP! There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price.

Take advantage of tools provided online hotel searching tools. These kinds of websites allow you get great deals quickly.

There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.

TIP! Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price.

Check your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room free of mildew and mold while being clean? Are linens and towels you’ll need present in the room? If you quickly note any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.

If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.

TIP! You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will be pet friendly.

If you want a couples massage, book early. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.

TIP! To ensure that you and your special someone get the right couples massage during your stay, book your appointment as early ahead of time as you can. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.

There are three different things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Be sure that the hotel will be friendly to pets.Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.

If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. 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.

TIP! If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them.

Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so get in while you can.

Choose a green vacation if you care for the environment. There are several green hotels around. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Hotels that have been around for a while may employ a variety of eco-friendly practices. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.

TIP! Think about going on a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays.

If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes.

What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. If possible, don’t make your reservation more than a day in advance. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. The hotel is not going to make any money on a room that is unoccupied, which is why the reduce the price.

TIP! The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels price rooms based on availability.

If you stay in a particular hotel chain, consider joining their membership reward programs. These programs usually work by letting you points every time you stay there. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, spa deals and much, much more.

Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. 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.

TIP! 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.

If you care about the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. There are several green hotels that feature green amenities. Some newer hotels were built green standards in mind. Some older inns just select one or more of eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Talk with a travel agent if you want to find green hotels.

Check to see if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. You may find that a smoker has been in your non-smoking room before you and ignored the rules. Instead of choosing a non-smoking room, you can actually find an entire non-smoking hotel if you really want to avoid nasty, secondhand smoke.

TIP! If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms.

The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you book the room. Rooms prices are based on availability. This will get you a great price on a hotel room.

If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.

TIP! Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Some have smoking rooms.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the room is the bargain, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your overall savings.

You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. If you are early, don’t expect miracles.

TIP! Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early.

Join a loyalty program if you travel frequently. These points can be applied toward further travels.

If you have a young child, ask for a crib when you call to make your reservation. Not every hotel will have these things, and if they do they may not have many. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.

TIP! If you will need a crib or rollaway, be sure to specify this fact when you make your reservation. Some hotels do not have these items, and most have limited quantities.

Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can stay connected with work or family without the high cost of a call from your room.

If it all possible, never check out before your scheduled departure date. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. Upon reserving a hotel room, you tie up that room in the hotel. This means that your early departure results in the hotel losing money. They have to at least get something for the loss, thus an early departure charge.

TIP! If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early.

Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy is if you smoke. A lot of places have specific rooms just for smokers. Ask to see if any of these are a smoker. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.

The bedspread might not be the cleanest linen in the room. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. This means they may be a hotbed of germs. Remove it from the bed before you use it.

TIP! If you are concerned about germs, don’t use the hotel bedspread. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed.

As was mentioned before, you can free up more funds for your vacation if you avoid paying too much for your hotel. Use the advice here to locate a comfortable and affordable hotel. Refer back to this information when you are working on your travel plans.

If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. Hotels routinely overbook, which means that you could find that there is no room available for you when you arrive at the hotel. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel. You should try to avoid this; however, if this is necessary, ensure you are provided with the same quality room or better at the same price you would have paid.

TIP! When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! Hotels routinely overbook, which means that you could find that there is no room available for you when you arrive at the hotel. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel.