You will no doubt be booking hotel from time to time for various reasons. Whether you will be staying in one for personal reasons or business reasons, it’s important to understand how to book a hotel. Here are some tips that will help you with this quite a bit.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online travel sites. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You may also have other discounts through AAA or AAA.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. 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.
Consider taking advantage of room service if you want a special someone. This will cost you a little extra, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
You can stash your expensive items in the safe and go about your day without worry.
Use hotel search tools online. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. Finally, you can also use these to help you learn what there is to do when you get to your destination.
Check out your room when you arrive. Is the room free of mildew and mold while being clean? Are there enough linens and towels that you’re going to need? If any issues are immediately prevalent, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Verify the check-in time at the hotel. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail.Call and ask if it is alright for you think you’ll be early.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, and you don’t want to miss out.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will be pet friendly.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. You can save 5 percent or even more on hotels around the country. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
Book your appointment as early as possible. The best practitioners go fast, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This can net you a great deal. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
If you are a member of AAA, you should see what your hotel membership discount will be. You might be surprised where hidden discounts on hotels. You could save 5 percent or even 10% on some rooms. This can add up over several nights.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
If you are worried about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are many hotels around. Some newer hotels were built green and are certified green. Some older inns just select one or more of eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Talk with a travel agent to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. Those with youngsters will be grateful for the free car seats.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfers when booking a room.If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. You can increase the amount you save by asking about such a thing in advance.
Don’t make any long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. This is much cheaper than paying for a bunch of long distance calls from your hotel room.
Join the hotel’s membership program to get deals on business trips. These points that can be applied toward further travels.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it would be best if you make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
Distance Calls
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your room.
If you are concerned about germs, you might want to take the bedspread off of the bed. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed between bookings. This bedspread could be a source of germs. So take it off the bed, fold it up and stash it in a corner of the room.
It can prove rather frustrating when you and your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. Hotels sometimes overbook, which means you discover that your reservation is unavailable. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or “walk” you. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
Start by inspecting the bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the place least likely to find them. It is usually a good place for young children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Avoid drinking bottled water from a hotel! Sure, you’re thirsty and hot. That’s what the hotel owners had in mind when they packed the min-fridge with delicious, yet expensive, refreshments. Hotels know this and charge more for bottled water. Certain hotel gyms will provide guests for bottled water free of charge. Pack a couple bottles of water.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking allowed in the hotel.If you are a non-smoker, you might not want to go to a hotel with smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room.
Do not take the linens with you when you check out of the hotel. You may really like those towels, pillowcases and washcloths, but their absence will not go unnoticed. You will be billed for them. If you like them that much, check out the gift shop for new ones.
You should know that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible to check into your hotel early. Plan your time accordingly unless you want to wait in a hotel lobby. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check into it. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t necessarily expect it.
Book your flight and hotel at the same time to save money. Travel sites typically offers savings to people who book more than one service at the same time. Compare quotes between hotels and airlines.
You can save money by not booking a decent room rate if you book during the off season. Rates are at this time. You will have a better chance of getting a fantastic rate.
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. You can now make a call to book a room rather than having to drive around to find one.
You can actually get a room upgrade without paying an upgraded price. You have a better chance of this by checking in exactly at the time when you are supposed to check in. Sometimes, your room is not yet clean, and the hotels give them better rooms for no extra charge.
Your hotel stay may become even more pleasant if you are willing to tip appropriately. Usually, room service tipping is included in your bill while the bill for maid service doesn’t include a tip. When you tip well, you are treated with respect and can expect a higher level of service.
Tipping hotel staff when appropriate is a bit better. For instance, your room service tip may be included in your bill, the bill for maid service doesn’t. Tipping will be attending to your stay better.
Don’t pay the rate advertised. Savvy travelers never pay the “rack rate”. The hotel expects you to haggle. All you have to do is call the hotel you like and ask them for an exceptionally great deal. Assert yourself. Travel websites are notorious for offering large discounts.
Some hotels rooms offer a better view than others. If room prices are not affected by the view, opt for the one with the best view. These small features can make staying at a hotel that much better. It doesn’t hurt to ask if there are rooms with better views.
Let the hotel management know when you are there for a special occasion. Hotels often provide perks if you let them know you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday. They might even give you a complimentary bottle of bubbly. But of course don’t lie as that is wrong to do.
Clearly, we all have to stay in hotels at some time. Regardless of the reason why, research is necessary. Hopefully, you now see why that is true.
It is often possible to get a better deal simply by asking the clerk at the desk. Even if you can’t get your rate reduced, you may be in for other perks, like free food and coffee. Of course you won’t know unless you ask, so make a point of doing so.