Most people have stayed at a bad hotel at some point. This can be expensive and unpleasant, so you need to avoid it if you can. Read on for some suggestions on how to get a great hotel room at an affordable price.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
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. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. Some discounts can be over ten percent! This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. This safe will store your small important items, such as your iPad, iPod, GPS, jewelry, etc. By doing this, you can keep these items secure and enjoy your day without fretting about someone stealing them.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is always a big factor, but you also need a hotel that’s geographically proximate to your target destinations. 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. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Check your room when you arrive. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. There are many travel websites that offer discounts.
If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Join a frequent customer program if you stay at the same hotel chain a lot. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Ask for a corner room so that your pets’ noise doesn’t bother anyone else.
You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. Some new buildings are certified as green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Ask about this beforehand to save more.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. When you stay at a hotel, you get points you can use later on.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They provide benefits to anyone who stays at a hotel chain frequently. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
People who care about the environment may be more comfortable staying in a hotel that is eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. 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 must make a hotel transfer, find out about the fees. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. Think about staying at a hotel that is totally nonsmoking if you don’t want to stink when you check out.
Find out what the policy on pets is. If you do not like pets, or you are allergic to them, then you should probably avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. Depending on the hotel, that fee may or may not be enough to cover extra cleaning.
If you are going to need a rollaway or a crib, make sure that the hotel knows this in the reservation process. Not every hotel will be able to accommodate you. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. Hotels have to make sure their rooms are ready for you. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but this should not be expected.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. Many hotels will charge a fee for early departure. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. They have to at least get something for the loss, thus an early departure charge.
Booking a horrible hotel is an awful experience for anyone to endure. Even getting a complete refund doesn’t erase the trouble of having an unpleasant or uncomfortable stay at a substandard hotel. The trip will be a bust in any event. Use the guidelines here to find a great hotel. Once you choose the one you want, you will also know how to get the discounts that make it real deal.
You may wish to use a different blanket than the comforter that is in your hotel room. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. This can mean that the comforter has tons of germs and bacteria. Just remove this covering from the bed to have peace of mind.
