You are going to need to stay at a hotel room sooner or later. Whether you want to stay in a hotel for business or personal reasons, you should have a working understanding of how to book the right room for your situation. These tips will help out quite a lot.
Consider the benefits of any organization memberships you have. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. You may save ten percent or more. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
Check online hotel reviews before making any reservations. This lets you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can ensure you in coming to the right decision.
Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online and check out some of the travel sites. If you are a part of a loyalty program, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You may also qualify for discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.
Check with the organizations you belong to.Some organizations will receive discounts on hotels. People frequently forget these discounts are available, which can be 10% or more. It can add up to almost a free night!
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. You may save 50 percent or more.
There are many different things to think about when choosing a hotel.You may want free WiFi access, large pool, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Try to find a tip that checks off as many of your wish list as is realistic.
Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, and you don’t want to miss out.
Plan your trip as far in advance for the best rates. Many locations offer the best discounts if you book more than a month or two ahead of time. You can expect savings up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will accept pets.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, pack your GPS and running clothes.
Join a frequent customer program if you stay at the same hotel chain a lot. 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.
It is wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. There are many benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
Free Nights
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. The prices are based partly on availability. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs usually work by letting you points for each stay. They add up to free nights, free nights, show tickets, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. Nothing is quite as frustrating as arriving at a hotel with children clamoring to jump in the pool only to find that it is closed.
The timing for the hotel room has much to do with what you book the room. Rooms are often priced according to availability. This will get you a great price on a hotel room.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. The bathroom is not a common place where bedbugs would be. You can leave your bags there while you investigate the remainder of the room for bedbugs. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements while you travel. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat provided in many locations.
Review the pet policy at the hotel. If you are afraid of pets or have allergies to them, you should probably avoid booking at pet friendly hotels. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Certain hotels will charge guests extra for keeping pets in the room; however, many hotels’ extra charge is very little. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
It can prove rather frustrating for you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to discover that there are none.
If you need a crib, ask for it as you reserve the room. Some hotels do not have these items, and most have limited quantities. They may charge extra for this. Make sure these needs are discussed during the initial reservation so you don’t get any surprises.
Be aware of your rights in the event that a hotel “walks” you. This means that you have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid having this happen if you can, but if must go to another hotel, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. For this reason, there’s no telling what might be on that bedspread. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.
Do not open that bottled water in your room. After checking into your room you may be thirsty and tired. You can be tempted to casually open that bottle of water calling to you from the mini-fridge. Hotels are aware of this and charge more for bottled water significantly. Check out the hotel gym instead; they may have free water. A better idea is to bring your own bottled water.
Don’t open that bottles water! After checking in you may be thirsty and tired. This can tempt you to consume bottles of water from the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of their guests by charging ridiculous pricess for bottled water. Check if the gym offers free water. Better still, pack a few bottles of your own.
You can often save money if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. A lot of travel online sites feature serious savings for people who bundles things together.
Don’t steal the linens from the hotel. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items. If you really love those linens or pillows, find out if you can purchase them from the hotel.
You can get lower hotel rates by booking during the off season. Rates are at this time. You will have a discounted rate.
Don’t pay the price that’s advertised when you’re booking a hotel. A savvy traveler knows not to pay this “rack rate.” Actually, hotels expect to dicker over the prices they charge. Call them and ask for a better deal. Be courageous. Sometimes, travel websites will offer considerable discounts.
You can actually get a room upgrade without being charged for one. You have a better chance of this by being on time when you are supposed to check in. Sometimes, your room is not yet clean, and the hotels give them better rooms for no extra charge.
Use a special occasion as an opportunity to book a hotel room. Some hotels may give you something special if your stay is for your birthday or anniversary. You could even talk them into some free champagne for the night! Be sure to tell the truth because lying is wrong.
If you are already traveling but have to book rooms, you can find some helpful information at welcome centers, tourist centers and fuel stations for complimentary tourist information that has maps with hotels including discounts. This will save you call for your room instead of driving from place to place and money.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. You can skip tipping for certain things because you’re billed for them anyways, but you should definitely give a tip to the maid. You were probably a hopeless slob anyway, so leave the maid a little something, please.
Book hotel stay for a special occasion. Hotels sometimes offer freebies to guests when they know you are celebrating a special day for them. You might get a free bottle of champagne or something similar.
If you want a great deal at a hotel, just try asking the clerk at the front desk. They may not be able to offer a lower price on your room, but they may provide other perks like a free breakfast. You have no way of knowing if you fail to ask.
As you have already read, everyone will eventually need to stay at a hotel. Regardless of your reason, it is important that you do some preparation. The above article has provided you with great advice for finding a hotel you will love; be sure to put this advice to use!
When booking a hotel with a third-party site, be careful of hidden fees and surcharges. The quote you get upfront doesn’t include these fees. The only way to be sure what you are going to pay is to read the fine print.