Does just thinking about booking a hotel send chills up your spine? When it comes to hotels, there are numerous choices, which can make selecting the best one difficult. Try not to panic. The following paragraphs will guide you on how to find a hotel you and your travel companions enjoy.
Room service is great for late meals. 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.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They can also show you what the hotel’s average rates typically are, allowing you to see whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it without mildew and mold? Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Do you have an adequate number of towels? 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.
Search for hotel deals online. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. You will have to learn how to find these great discounts yourself. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
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. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. 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.
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. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You can save 5 percent or more motels and hotels in the US. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. These hotel programs give you points for each stay. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
There are three things to do ahead of time if you want to bring your pet to a hotel with you. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Also, bring a lot of plastic sacks like ones from the grocery store so you can get your pet’s messes cleaned up. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
Distance Calls
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
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. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
See if the hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you aren’t a smoker, then you want to avoid smoking rooms and maybe even smoking hotels in general, but most hotel chains do have smoking and non-smoking rooms. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. You may find that a smoker has been in your non-smoking room before you and ignored the rules. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it would be best if you make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don’t always charge a lot. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.
Be aware that you can’t normally check-in early at your hotel. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Having said that, don’t hesitate to ask the front desk about checking in if you do arrive early; however, you shouldn’t expect to be able to do this. The best thing you can do is arrive on time.
For the sake of hygiene, avoid the bedspread provided by the hotel. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.
Do not give in to the temptation to run off with hotel towels or sheets. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items. Ask the hotel upfront if you can buy similar items from them directly.
Bundle your flight and your accommodations for greater savings. A lot of websites for travel will give you quite a bit of savings for you if you reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight together. To make sure you are getting the best price through this service, compare the rates of different airlines and hotels.
Book your flight and hotel at the same time to save money. Travel booking sites often provide significant discounts for combining your room and flight and perhaps even a rental car. Make sure you do your research, though, to ensure you are getting a good deal.
Now that you have read this article, you have a good grasp on finding the right hotel. Research each hotel and evaluate them before making a decision. After reviewing the provided information, you should be able to find the best hotel.
Don’t book your trip during peak season if you are looking to get a good price. That’s when it costs the most. Instead you should try booking a room when it’s not peak season as this is when a hotel wants more visitors. You should get a much better price.
