There are so many factors to consider when choosing a hotel that doing so can seem overwhelming. So doing some research before doing anything else is important. Develop a budget, make a list of the amenities you need and then start looking. Read these tips to make booking a hotel room a breeze.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Take a look into organizations you are part of. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Would you like to enjoy the comfort of enjoying an incredible evening meal with your loved one without having to dress up and leave your room? If so, consider using room service. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
When thinking about selecting a hotel, there are quite a few salient points to consider. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Other amenities that people look for are a gym, pool, free local phone calls, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean? Are the facilities operating correctly? Are linens and towels in ample supply? 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.
What groups are you a member of? You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. You may save ten percent or more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. This leaves the job of finding discounts entirely up to you. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Is it tidy and sanitary? Are the facilities operating correctly? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.
If you travel frequently, sign up for loyalty programs at your favorite hotels. A loyalty program offers many benefits. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. 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.
If you wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Take some bags to clean after your pet. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
To make reserving a hotel easy, use AAA. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Many people are surprised to see hotel discounts included with their auto club membership. You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. This really adds up when you are staying for many nights.
When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. Put kids and pets in there, too.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If you’re not a smoker, it may be wise to stay away from rooms that are for smoking. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you don’t want to stink like a cigarette when you are leaving a non smoking hotel may be a good choice.
Join a frequent customer program if you stay at the same hotel chain a lot. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. If you don’t, you can be hit with some major penalties for lighting up in a non-smoker’s room.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you’re allergic to pets or fear them, then you may want to avoid hotels that allow pets. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
As discussed, will the right information it’s easy to find a great hotel room that you can afford. Use the information located above to help you plan your next hotel stay. You’ll be comfortable and won’t overspend.
If you are a parent who needs a roll-away or a crib in their hotel room, then you’ll need to call prior to making your reservation and find out if they are available. Not all hotels will supply these things, and some may have limited quantities. Also, you may get charged extra for these types of things. Therefore, when booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about these things so that you are prepared.
