Basic Advice For Your Next Hotel Visit

You do not want your hotel stay to leave you feeling fleeced. A poor experience, whether because of the price or the actual hotel, can ruin the entire trip for everyone involved.The following information will help you bypass some of the most common pitfalls with hotels so that your stay is a great one.

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. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.

TIP! To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.

Consider taking advantage of room service if you want a special someone. While this could cost you a little more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.

To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.

TIP! Use hotel search tools online. These websites can help you quickly find great deals.

You should put any expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.

Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Are there enough of the right linens? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.

TIP! Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order.

Check in on the organizations that you’re a member of. Some offer you discounts on hotel prices. People often forget about these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.

TIP! In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts.

Free Local Calls

Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.

TIP! Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online.

There are things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Amenities like a swimming pool, free local calls, free local calls or breakfast, and other amenities may be things that you prefer. Try to find a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.

If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.

TIP! If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name.

Always check for online deals before booking a hotel room. This is why you to search for these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.

If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. This can add up on a long trip.

TIP! Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts.

Check out your room when you arrive. Is the room mildew-free and free from mildew or mold? Are linens and towels that you’re going to need? If there are any obvious problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.

If you are a daily runner, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.

TIP! Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere.

Be aware of the check-in time. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if you to arrive before check-in.

Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.

TIP! If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. These are similar to frequent flyer programs.

Don’t make the mistake of hotels.

To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.

TIP! Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.

There are three things you must do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.

Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. Use this type of thing to get with people you know while you’re in your hotel room so you can save quite a bit of money.

TIP! Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Utilize the Internet, instead.

Book your appointment as early as possible. The best professionals are often in high demand, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.

Your children will be happy when you call the hotel to make sure their pool is open and working. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.

TIP! If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.

If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. These hotel programs give you rack up points. These points can quickly add up to many perks such as a free night, tickets to shows, spa deals and much, much more.

Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. There are hotels that will charge you quite a bit if they find out that you were lighting up in the room that wasn’t for smoking. This is why you should stick to the rules.

TIP! Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke.

If you are concerned about the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. There are several green hotels that feature green amenities. Some new buildings are certified green. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly so they can show environmental awareness. A good travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.

If you will have children during your hotel stay that need a crib, you must bring this up when you are booking the room. Some hotels won’t have these extra amenities, and when they do, there is often an extra cost. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.

TIP! If you have a young child, ask for a crib when you call to make your reservation. Many hotels have a limited number of these, so it is important to mention this at booking.

The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you book it. Rooms in hotels are based on their availability. This can net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms.

Don’t take any of the linens. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them. If you like them that much, check out the gift shop for new ones.

TIP! Don’t steal hotel linens. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the room is the bargain, the transfer could ruin the deal. You can increase the amount you save more by asking about such a thing in advance.

Think about bundling your flight and hotel together. Use a travel site that has package deals, which include hotel, flight, and rental car. You can make the most of this deal by comparing rates across several websites.

TIP! You can often save money if you book your flight and hotel at the same time. You may be able to save a lot of money by booking both from the same place.

Join a membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points that can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

If you want an upgrade, use an approach that may snag it for free. Arrive right at your check-in time. If you arrive early or in a timely manner, your room may not be ready for you yet; however, this can mean a discount on your rate.

TIP! You may be able to receive an upgrade without being charged for one. You can be sure of this by being on time to accept your hotel booking.

Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs.This is where you are least likely to find them. It is a good place for young children to sit for a couple minutes as well.

You can search various tourist centers for books that include hundreds of coupons for local hotel chains. This is one of the best ways to get a great deal without using the Internet, but you’ll have to use a hotel that’s in the book. You can now make a call to book a room rather than having to drive around to find one.

TIP! If you’re on the road and need a place to stay, check out rest areas, gas stations and travel centers for guide books that have maps and lists of hotels in the area. You may even find discount coupons! Use that information to call a hotel and get your room all booked.

Don’t pilfer the temptation to take hotel towels or linens.

Tipping the hotel staff when appropriate is a good way to ensure you have a better experience. As as example, room service tips are included in the bill, yet maid service tips are not. If you tip, you’ll be respected by the staff.

TIP! It is possible to enhance your hotel experience by providing tips as necessary. Room service will often bill you the tip, but maid service and other services rely upon you giving them a tip directly.

Hotel Rates

Some rooms in a hotel have a nicer view than other rooms. If room prices are not affected by the view, try to request a room that has a better view. Just having a better view can enhance your enjoyment of your hotel stay. So inquire about the little niceties like a good view, or a room that is has special features.

TIP! Some hotels rooms offer good views while others do not. If it isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to get a nice view, request one.

You can get a cheaper price on a nice hotel rates when you don’t book during peak tourist seasons. This is the highest time that hotel rates are at their highest. You should get a much greater.

Don’t pay the price being advertised. They call this the “rack rate,” which most travelers know not to pay. As a matter of fact, you can haggle the hotel down in price in most cases. So call ahead, be friendly and inquire about their best deals and perks. They are usually quite happy to accommodate you with a better price or a few extras. Discounts can often be discovered when you visit travel websites.

TIP! Don’t ever pay the advertised prices. Hotels post this rate, referred to as a “rack rate”, in hopes that uninformed travelers will pay it.

Some hotels rooms offer a better views than others. If the prices are not changed by the view, try to request a room that has a better view. These are the little things can enhance your hotel experience. It won’t hurt you to ask them if they can get you a room with a better views available.

Go to online websites like Travelocity or Expedia to find the best prices. These websites sell lots of hotel rooms, and hotels allow them to offer discounts than cannot be found any other place. There are some requirements, like bidding, to open up the option of such discounts.

TIP! Online travel websites often compare the best prices for different hotel chains, helping you find the best possible deals. Hotels offer these sites special discounts because of the high volume of rooms that are booked this way.

Let the hotel know when you are there for a special occasion. Hotels often provide some complimentary gifts if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. They may offer you a gift such as free champagne.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. Your hotel bill will include tips for most other service providers in the hotel, but you should be sure the cleaning service receives a tip. Most people are quite messy in their rooms, so a tip is always appreciated.

TIP! Tipping the housekeeper at a hotel is a routine practice. The maid is the one who has cleaned up after you, freshened up your room and kept you stocked in clean towels and toiletries.

Check online sites like Expedia or Travelocity to help you find good deals. Some may require you to bid, while others may withhold the actual price until you commit to buy, so watch out for that.

Inquire about deals. The clerk may not be able to lower the price, but often they can throw in a freebie or two to keep you happy. If you don’t speak up, you can’t get perks!

TIP! If you want to get a good deal for a hotel, ask the front desk clerk for a deal. They can’t always lower the price, but they may be able to add a few additional perks to improve your stay.

It is customary to tip the housekeeper when checking out of a hotel. You can often skip tipping for many other things, as your bill is likely to incorporate extra fees, but your maid should always be tipped. You probably were being messy anyway, so please leave the room service maid a little bonus.

When you get a hotel booked with a site that’s third party, be careful because there are surcharges and fees that are hidden. Most quotes don’t reflect such charges. Read the fine print to determine the charges, first.

TIP! When making hotel reservations via a third-party site, watch out for surcharges and hidden fees. Many times the quotes you are given do not reflect all of the charges.

You will never know if you never ask.

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The hotel’s quality of hotels in a chain. It is always best to check individual hotels so there are no surprises upon arrival.

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A lot of hotel websites as well as brochures will use software to make their hotel images look better. Make sure you find some photos of the hotel you’re considering staying at really looks like.

TIP!

No one wants to experience an unpleasant or distasteful stay at a hotel room. That’s why the advice above was provided. Your experiences will be better if you know things to avoid and what a good deal looks like. A good hotel should relax and please you, and you don’t have to settle for anything less.

TIP!