Almost everyone has had the nightmare experience of booking a bad hotel. It can cost a lot and that’s a mistake you shouldn’t make more than once. This article has tips and tricks to help you successfully enjoy your hotel stay.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
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. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.
When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. You should look at the price, but you should also look at the location that is most convenient for what you want to do. 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. Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough of the right linens? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. It may cost more, but it’s convenient when you don’t feel like leaving.
If you wish to include amenities such as massage while staying at a hotel, be sure to make your reservations in advance. Frequently, the most skilled massage specialists at the best hotels are reserved by name, so when you plan ahead, you can get the best.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
Hotel Search
If you are a daily runner, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. 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. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Search for hotel deals online. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. This is why it’s up to you to search for these discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Just like frequent flyer mile programs, these hotel programs offer you points for your stay. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. Sometimes there are people that don’t know when the room will be ready and so they aren’t sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can’t check in. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Make sure it’s a pet-friendly hotel. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
The price for any give hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. You can often get the best price if you do it this way. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. This can add up on a long trip.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. So if you are a smoker, be sure to ask for one of those rooms. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. 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.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Most hotels clean and prepare rooms at a certain time, so that they are ready for check-in. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.
If you stay in a particular hotel chain, ask about their membership program. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. If you do, you may be charged a fee for early departure. If you reserve a room for a set number of days but check out a day or two early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room. So, they may charge you a fee for early departure to replace the loss in revenue.
Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some of the newer hotels were built with green standards in mind. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
To be safe, avoid the top bedspread that is provided by the hotel. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. That means it could harbor contaminants you don’t want to be in contact with. Just remove it from the bed.
Consider joining a membership program if you travel often. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
Know your personal rights when any hotel tries to “walk” you. If your hotel overbooks, your room may not be available when you get there. This means that you’re going to have to go somewhere else. 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.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.
Think about bundling your flight and hotel together. There are numerous travel websites that give a fair deal when you book the hotel with a rental car or flight. If you want to maximize your possibilities, comparison shop the rates of multiple hotels and airlines.
Moking Rooms
You can get better hotel rates when you don’t book during peak tourist seasons. This is when rates are highest. You should book a room during the off season as hotels are desperate then for their rooms to be occupied. You can get a better rate during this time.
Check to see if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. 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. Too avoid exposure to the smell of cigarette smoke, it may be best to stay at a non-smoking hotel.
Tipping appropriately will make your hotel stay a bit better. An example would be room service because it has the tip on the bill. However, you’ll find that maids don’t get extra so you may want to tip them. Tipping ensures that you are well-liked and respected while staying at the hotel.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If they do, ask for this type of room. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Some hotels rooms have better views than others. If prices are the same, ask for a room with a good view. Such things can make your stay much more enjoyable. It doesn’t hurt to ask the hotel for rooms that have better views.
Nobody out there wants to get booked at a terrible hotel. Even the cheapest price can’t make up for a horrible experience. You’ll feel as if your trip has been ruined. That’s why you should use the above guidelines to find a hotel that’s not only affordable, but acceptable by your standards. Once you pick out a hotel you wish to stay in, you can also get great discounts to make the deal better.
Don’t pay the price that’s advertised when you’re booking a hotel. Experienced travelers never actually pay the “rack rate”, or advertised rate. Frankly, hotels expect travelers to haggle over price. Contact the hotel and see if there is a promotion currently taking place. Make sure you’re bold. Online travel sites offer great discounts, too.
