A dream vacation can become a nightmare when you stay in a bad hotel. With the high cost of staying in a hotel, it’s crucial you are aware of what to search for when booking a room. The following tips will assist you in finding a great hotel at a great price.
Check online reviews before booking a room. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. These reviews can help you decide which hotel you should select.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Are you a member of a certain hotel’s membership program? If so, make sure you put this information into the travel site. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. 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 when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. 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.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.
Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.
Check the organizations that you’re a member of. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. You may save ten percent or more. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it tidy and sanitary? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.
There are some things you have to do before taking your pet on a trip. Make sure it’s a pet-friendly hotel. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. When you make a reservation you should see if you can stay near the back of the hallway to keep other guests away from your pets when they are making noises.
There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. These programs give you points every time you stay there. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
To make sure that you get a couple’s massage when you’re staying somewhere, get your appointment booked as early as you are able to. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
If you stay in a particular hotel chain, ask about their membership program. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. These points can quickly add up to many perks such as a free night, discounts at the hotel restaurants, spa deals and much, much more.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. If it’s possible, your room should be booked around a day in advance or more. This is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms don’t earn the hotel money, so they’re happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. You probably won’t find any bedbugs in the bathroom. This makes the perfect location to place your belongings while you inspect your hotel room for bedbugs. Put kids and pets in there, too.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. A membership with AAA not only provides you with hotel discounts but a guaranteed piece of mind when trying to rent a vehicle. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
By just doing some research and preparing for it, you can find a great deal on a nice hotel. You’ve got to learn what to be looking for and when you should be booking. Use the above tips to find the best hotel for what you need.
If you are traveling with kids, make sure the hotel you book has a working pool. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.