How often have people told you that they had a fun vacation, but the hotel wasn’t all that great? Your vacation’s success hinges on selecting a good hotel. Not only do you want to stay in a decent hotel with nice amenities, you also want it to come with a reasonable rate. Keep reading for more tips.
Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Have the staff provided all the necessary soap, shampoo, towels, etc. that you will be needing? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. 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.
Many things must be considered when choosing the right hotel. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Amenities that you might personally want or need include a swimming pool or gym, on-site restaurant, continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi or local calls. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. These sites can help you get good 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. The websites can also help you decide the best time to take a trip and where you can eat, shop or sight-see.
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. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
If you are a daily runner, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch. Go for a jog every morning. You’ll get plenty of good exercise and a better understanding of the city around you.
If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. For an early morning jog, get up and throw your gear on, and then head out the front door. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
Loyalty Program
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. Empty rooms don’t earn the hotel money, so they’re happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide benefits to anyone who stays at a hotel chain frequently. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. In many situations in which the room’s price is a great deal, the undisclosed price of your transfer can frequently eat up the savings. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Instead, use the Internet. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, but you will probably need their password and may have to pay a fee to use this service. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. It is definitely worth looking into.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you are not a smoker, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
Check in the bathroom first for bed bugs. This is where you won’t find them. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. Don’t smoke in a nonsmoking room, or you may be charged by the hotel for doing so.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are not a smoker, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. Nonetheless, if there are smokers in the hotel, you may have problems with odors. Smokers often don’t care that their room is non-smoking, too. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Be sure to not to show up early so you don’t have to wait. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.
If you smoke, you should understand the hotel’s policy about smoking before you book a room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type 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.
If you will need a crib or rollaway, be sure to specify this fact when you make your reservation. Such items usually have a limited amount of such extras. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Before making reservations, explain this.
Be aware of the pet policy of the hotel. If you’re scared of pets or have allergies, you may not want to stay in a pet friendly hotel. Pet odor lingers. There may be an extra fee to have a pet stay. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. Your hotel may charge you a fee to do so. The room is not marketed by the hotel and you will have to make up that lost revenue. You may end paying for a day you don’t use the room. They have to at least get something for the loss, thus an early departure charge.
You can find great accomodations, even on a budget, if you know how to look. The great tips provided in this article will help you find that perfect hotel. You will not have to spend much money at all. Follow the advice presented here to find an affordable hotel.
Don’t open that bottles water! Sure, you’re thirsty and hot. As a result, you likely want to purchase that bottle of water you see sitting on the counter. Hotels are counting on this, and they jack up the price of the water accordingly. Certain hotel gyms will provide guests for bottled water free of charge. The best option, however, it to bring your own bottled water.
