There are many different types of hotels available. Amenities and price points can be very different, depending on which hotel you choose. Therefore, if you are planning to stay at a hotel, it is important to locate the best hotel so that you can maximize your enjoyment. Keep reading to learn about finding the right hotel.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
Put your electronics into the room’s safe. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. 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.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Some offer big discounts on hotel rooms. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more. For extended stays, this can really add up. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Figuring out which hotel you want to book isn’t an easy process. Of course you want to consider price, but you should also consider the hotel’s location. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Hotel Search Websites
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These sites can help you get good deals. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
Use hotel search tools online. Use these websites to your advantage! Hotel search websites also let you see the regular rates of hotels, so you can compare and see whether a supposed deal is really a good one. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
Look for deals online. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Do you need extra linens or towels? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. This will allow you to save up to 50 percent even when staying at an elite hotel.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Therefore, make sure you call the hotel staff to confirm that they will allow pets. Even if they have a website that states pets are allowed, you should still call to confirm this. 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.
The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you make your reservation. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. It is not uncommon to find that greatly discounted bookings may have a hidden cost for the transfer. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You can save 5 percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
If you do a great deal of traveling, consider joining hotel chain loyalty programs. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.
Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. A loyalty program offers many benefits. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat that comes with some rentals.
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. In this way, you will get good rates. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. Nothing is quite as frustrating as arriving at a hotel with children clamoring to jump in the pool only to find that it is closed.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. You probably won’t find any bedbugs in the bathroom. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. If you are going to arrive early, plan on doing something to fill your time. Hotels need this time to clean and prepare your room. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but your request may not be granted.
Smoking Rooms
Avoid leaving your hotel before your scheduled date of departure. 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, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. You may rent a non-smoking room, however, the smoke from the smoking rooms can still be present in the air and make your clothes smell like it. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. If you don’t want to stink like a cigarette when you are leaving a non smoking hotel may be a good choice.
If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. Hotels sometimes overbook, which means you discover that your reservation is unavailable. When this happens, the hotel directs you to another property, “walking” you. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.
If you want a hotel room upgrade, try to get one without paying anything extra. An easy way to get this to happen is to show up on time for when you’re supposed to be checking in. It’s likely that the room isn’t ready, so you might get a free upgrade.
What is the policy on pets? If you fear or are allergic to pets, you might want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. It does take extra effort and expense to take care of pets issues and some hotels do not take the time necessary.
If it becomes necessary to book a hotel from the road, check rest areas, tourist centers and gas stations to find tourist books with maps of hotel locations, prices and discount offers. Use that information to call a hotel and get your room all booked.
Getting into a hotel that’s nice with good service will be a great part of a vacation. Do your homework and consider your choices of hotels carefully. It’s important that your money gets you what you need and want. Use the tips you have read here to choose a great hotel.
Don’t pay the rate advertised. This is known as the “rack rate,” something that smart travelers never pay. However, hotels are aware that informed travelers will never pay this rate; therefore, they will have to compromise. Contact the hotel and see if there is a promotion currently taking place. Make sure you’re bold. You can find great discounts on travel sites.
