Practically everyone has a story to tell about a bad hotel experience. Than can be quite an expensive mistake, and nobody wants to do that again. So use these tips to help you avoid a nightmare hotel and plan a dream trip.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.
Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. You can make a wise choice when you know what others think about a hotel.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.
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. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
When making a hotel selection, you should consider many things. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. 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. Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.
When leaving your hotel room, keep any electronics you have secure by putting them in the room’s safe. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is it without mildew and mold? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
If you belong to any organizations, check with them for travel deals. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.
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. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, and you don’t want to miss out.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. In a lot of cases, the person booking your room isn’t going to tell you about online discounts. For this reason, making a proactive search is advisable. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Not every hotel allows pets. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.
Nobody wants a bad hotel experience. Even a hotel at a cheap price can’t help soothe a horrible experience. The quickest way to ruin a trip is to stay in a substandard hotel. So planning ahead and using the tips above is surest way to ensure a pleasant stay. Once you find a great hotel, enjoy!
Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. 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.
