Picking The Hotel That Gets You The Most Bang For Your Buck

Hotels may be something you need at some point in your life. There are people that have gotten into hotels that aren’t all that great, and this is due to them not doing the right research. Lucky for you, you have found the right place. Read on for tips that will help you enjoy your hotel stay.

Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.

TIP! Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering.

Check online reviews before booking a room. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.

There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination. Internet access, pools, fitness centers and breakfast offered are a few other things to consider. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.

TIP! Figuring out which hotel you want to book isn’t an easy process. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration.

Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.

Take advantage of search tools online. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. Not only will they show the best deals, but they’ll also include extra information about the rooms, floor plans, and even reviews from other customers. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.

TIP! The Internet is a great place to research hotels. These websites can help you get great deals quickly.

Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.

Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.

TIP! Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. You may save ten percent or more. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!

To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. You can save up to 50 percent, even on elite hotel chains.

TIP! If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time.

Use hotel search tools online. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. They can provide you with an idea of the average rate charged by each hotel, so you will have a good idea as to whether or not the deal you are being offered is good. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.

To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.

TIP! Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out.

Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This is why it’s up to you to search for these discounts. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.

Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.

TIP! If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age.

Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Is it tidy and sanitary? Does the plumbing work right? Do you need extra linens or towels? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.

When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Availability sets pricing. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.

TIP! Timing matters when booking a hotel room. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available.

Months Ahead

In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.

TIP! 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 do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.

For the best hotel rates, plan your trip 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. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.

One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.

TIP! Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go.

Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.

Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.

TIP! Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Instead, you should try the Internet.

There are three things to do ahead of time if you want to bring your pet to a hotel with you. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. 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.

Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.

TIP! If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.

If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name. Therefore, by planning in advance, you can ensure you have the best possible experience during your massage.

If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. That means that the bathroom is a great place to keep your bags while you check the rest of your accommodations for bedbugs. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.

TIP! If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs.

Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.

Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. Ask to see if any of these are available. 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! Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke.

Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. 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.

If you can, avoid checking out before the day you are scheduled to. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. Therefore, some will charge the early departure fee.

TIP! If you can, avoid checking out before the day you are scheduled to. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee.

To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.

For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed. 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.

TIP! 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.

Is your room non-smoking or not? If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.

Whatever you do, don’t open the bottled water. After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. As a result, that bottle of water on the little fridge may look very good to 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. An even better option is to pack your own bottled water for when you arrive.

TIP! Stay away from the bottled water! Once you check-in and start to unwind, you will probably feel very thirsty. The mini fridge is calling your name.

If you’re going to need special sleeping arrangements at a hotel, such as a roll- away or baby bed, specify this as you make reservations. Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. Additionally, there may be an extra fee for these items. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.

You may be able to score a free upgrade. You can do this by checking in exactly at your expected arrival time. Often the room you have reserved will still be dirty, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.

TIP! If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. An excellent method of achieving an upgrade is simply showing up for your room right on time.

So, when it comes time to plan a trip, keep these tips handy. Whether for business or pleasure, you want to get the best deal. With articles like the one you just read, you’ll find the perfect hotel for your vacation.

Some rooms have better views than others. If room prices are not affected by the view, try to request a room that has a better view. A small thing like this makes your experience better. You have nothing to lose by requesting a room with the best view possible.

TIP! Some rooms will have better views than others. Not all rooms with a good view cost extra, so if you can score a room for the same price with a nice view, then make sure you ask for it when you are booking.