There are a lot of details that go into planning a trip away. Where will you go? How will you get there? You must also find the right sleeping accommodations. If you haven’t booked a lot of hotel stays, you can make a mistake. The following tips should help you make an informed choice.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you have any problem with the room, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Use online hotel search tools. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. They also list the average cost of a hotel room, allowing you to ensure you are receiving an acceptable deal. In addition, these tools can help you determine the best time to go on vacation and the things that you can do there.
In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
If you’d like to bring Fido on your next trip, you must make some advance plans. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is it clean? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Are there enough linens and towels? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Many people are surprised to see hotel discounts included with their auto club membership. There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. This can add up on a long trip.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
Remember that hotel chains often provide loyalty programs offering excellent discounts. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. If you are getting a very low price on the room, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. 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.
Membership Programs
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. A membership with AAA not only provides you with hotel discounts but a guaranteed piece of mind when trying to rent a vehicle. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.
Your children will be happy when you call the hotel to make sure their pool is open and working. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Choosing a good hotel is easy, once you know what to do. Being aware of the pitfalls will help you avoid them. You will have an enjoyable stay when making your plans for your trip. You will make some great memories at the hotel that will stay with you for years!
Try to avoid checking out of the hotel ahead of your scheduled checkout time. Your hotel may charge you a fee to do so. Booking that room means it wasn’t available when others were reserving. This is why they usually charge you an fee for early departure.