Choose A Great Hotel Every Time You Vacation

Finding a good hotel can make or break your travel or vacation. Read on to find out how to find an affordable place to stay with great hotel for a good price.

You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.

TIP! Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates.

Check online hotel reviews before making any reservations. These will give you some information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you in coming to the right decision.

Room service is one of the best parts about a hotel. How else could you possibly enjoy a midnight snack without leaving your bed? Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.

TIP! Room service is great for late meals. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.

Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special meal without needing to go out. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.

Use online search tools for hotels. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.

TIP! To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals.

Check in on the organizations you are a member with. Many organizations provide hotel discounts to members. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Look at Jetsetter, Enrovia and Hotels.com.

TIP! Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online.

There are things to consider as you search for a hotel. You may want free WiFi access, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try to find a tip that checks off as many of your wish list as possible.

Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Does the plumbing work right? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? 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.

TIP! Inspect the room before unpacking. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew.

Check your room prior to unpacking. Is the room clean and otherwise clean? Are all the towels in the room? If you spot any problems, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.

Know the check-in times. Many people show up before check-in time only to find out their room isn’t ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.

TIP! Know when you are able to check in and get your room. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel.

Never make the assumption that all hotels are pet-friendly.

If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.

TIP! 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. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts.

Book your appointment as early as possible. The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so get in while you can.

Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.

TIP! For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels.

Are you a member of the AAA? If so, hotels may provide you a discount.You may not know that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You may be able to save upwards of five percent or more on certain hotels. It’s a savings that really adds up fast.

If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.

TIP! Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog.

It is wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. They offer benefits to people that stay with them often. You might earn a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.

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. These programs can assure you niceties such as the best prices, room upgrades, and special perks such as free meals or late checkouts.

TIP! Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often.

If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are several green hotels that feature green amenities. Some new buildings are built in a way that they get certified green. Some older hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels for your needs.

The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This will allow you to get a great price on a hotel room. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.

TIP! How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available.

The timing for the hotel room is going to affected by how early you pay. Rooms prices are often priced based on their availability. This will allow you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms.

To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.

TIP! Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. It is not uncommon to find that greatly discounted bookings may have a hidden cost for the transfer.

Get a AAA membership for hotel when you travel. Parents with young children will probably like the complimentary car seat that’s provided for free in some locations.

If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.

TIP! If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs.

Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom when checking for bed bugs. This is where you won’t see any. It can be a temporary haven for children and kids.

Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. Ask for those rooms if you are a smoker. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.

TIP! Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms.

Check to see if a hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.

Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels which do not have a pet-friendly policy. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.

TIP! You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy.

Find out what the hotel handles pets. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the carpet and bed linens. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the cost of the extra cleaning involved.

Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. 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. You can request an early check-in ahead of time, but it may cost more.

TIP! It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don’t allow you to check-in early. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early.

Never actually check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it’s an emergency. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure fees. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, if you depart early they will lose money.

Ask for a roll away bed or crib when you are reserving your room, not when you arrive. Such items usually have a limited amount of such extras. Sometimes, there is an additional charge for these items. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.

TIP! If you need a crib, ask for it as you reserve the room. The hotel may not have these items on hand.

Avoid using the bedspread. The top bedspread is one item that does not usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. It can carry a lot of bacteria and germs. Just make sure you remove the bed.

It you’re able to, try not to check out until it’s time for you to depart. This could result in a charge for early departure. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.

TIP! Unless it is an emergency, always stay for the total number of nights that you have booked. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure.

Don’t give into the hotel towels or linens.

Don’t drink the water! After you check-in you may feel tired and thirsty. This can tempt you to consume bottles of water from the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. You might find that there is free water offered in the hotel gym, however. The best option, however, it to bring your own bottled water.

TIP! Don’t drink the water! You will likely be thirsty when you check in. You may get tempted to open a bottle of water that is in the hotel’s mini-fridge.

You can often get a free upgrade. You have a better chance of this by being on time when you are supposed to check in. Often your room has not yet been cleaned, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.

You can get some money saved if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. Online sites allow for bundles which lead to great discounts. To make sure you are getting the best price through this service, compare the rates of different airlines and hotels.

TIP! If you book your flight alongside your hotel, then you’ll get a much better bargain deal. There are numerous travel websites that give a fair deal when you book the hotel with a rental car or flight.

Rest Areas

If you want a lower rate for your hotel, avoid booking during the peak tourist season. That is when you’ll pay the highest rates. If you book your rooms outside of tourist season, then you’ll get a better price because hotels are struggling to fill their empty rooms. You are more likely to be offered a good rate.

TIP! If you want the best rate for a hotel room, never book during the height of tourist season. Rates are always highest at this time.

If you’re trying to get into a hotel while you’re out and about, check rest areas, rest areas and gas stations for free tourist books that contain maps of hotels, and great discounts. This helps you time and wishing for an awesome deal.

Try getting an upgrade without paying for it. You might be able to do this by arriving on time. Hotels often count on their guests being late; therefore, they will often not have their rooms ready at the set time; therefore, by showing up on time, the hotel may provide you an upgraded room at no extra cost to you.

TIP! You can actually get a room upgrade without paying a dime. You can do this by going at the precise check-in time.

Use special occasion as an opportunity to book a hotel while travelling. Hotels often provide some complimentary gifts if you let them know you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday. You might get something like free champagne bottle or a similar thing.

Tipping when appropriate will make your hotel stay more pleasant. Room service charges usually include a tip in the bill, but maid service does not include tips for the maids. Tipping will ensure that the staff respects and likes you during your stay.

TIP! Tipping the staff will ensure that you have a much better time at your hotel. As as example, room service tips are included in the bill, yet maid service tips are not.

As this article said before, if you stay somewhere that doesn’t meet your needs then you could have a hard time with your hotel stay. Use this article to help make sure you find the right hotel room that doesn’t break your wallet and ruin your trip. Refer back here the next time you are making travel plans.

The quality of chain hotels may prove to be inconsistent. A good experience at a particular hotel that belongs to a chain does not mean that you will have a good experience at a hotel of the same chain in another city. Research each individual hotel so that you know what you are in for before getting there.

TIP! The quality of hotels in a chain may be inconsistent. A good experience in one hotel from their chain doesn’t mean you’ll have a great experience at another hotel in their chain.