Getting a hotel booked can be hard when you know that there are so many price options, amenities and locations. That is why advance research is so important. Develop a budget, make a list of the amenities you need and then start looking. Put these tips to use, and you can have the best hotel stay ever.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Check the organizations that you’re a member of. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. That can save a lot of money, especially if you are staying for multiple nights. After a week has gone by it will add up to a free night almost!
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. 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. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
Search for hotel deals online. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. It’s your job to find them yourself. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. If you are early, your room may not be ready. If you find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.
Loyalty Programs
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Just like frequent flyer mile programs, these hotel programs offer you points for your stay. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use Skype. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Rather, use a web tool. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. It is extremely frustrating for you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to discover that there are none.
Moking Rooms
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. It can be a temporary haven for children and pets.
Is your room non-smoking or not? If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms because that is all that is available, and then they smoke in them anyway. Request a non-smoking room if you do not want to smell like cigarettes.
Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. A lot of places have specific rooms just for people who smoke. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. A lot of places have specific rooms just for people who smoke. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.
Look into a hotel’s pet restrictions. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. Some hotels are pet-friendly and don’t charge for it, while other hotels will add a hefty fee for keeping a pet. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning needed to completely remove the odors.
It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don’t allow you to check-in early. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.
You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Be sure you plan according to this rule unless you desire to sit in the lobby for quite some time. Hotels need this time to clean and prepare your room. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.
Ask for a crib or fold-out bed when you make your reservations. Not all hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Before making reservations, explain this.
If you will be needing a rollaway or a crib, alert the hotel to this fact when making your reservation. Hotels usually have a limited number of these, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Make sure these needs are discussed during the initial reservation so you don’t get any surprises.
Whenever possible, do not check out prior to the scheduled date of your departure. The hotel might charge you a fee for early departure. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. That is why you are charged a fee.
You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. That can make it rife with germs and bacteria and who knows what. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.
Don’t open the bottled water! You may be thirsty and tired. It is tempting to simply grab that refreshing bottle of water conveniently available in the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottles.
Be aware of your rights in the event that a hotel attempts to “walk” you. Sometimes hotels are going to overbook and then your room that you reserved won’t be there. The hotel will then “walk” you, or direct you to a different hotel. If you do choose to move, be sure that you get a better room and your travel is paid for.
Do not give in to the temptation to run off with hotel towels or sheets. Housekeeping will generally notice when something like pillows, towels or washcloths are missing, which may lead to the hotel charging you for the missing items. If you truly love them, ask the hotel about buying them.
As discussed, will the right information it’s easy to find a great hotel room that you can afford. So keep the advice from above in mind and start planning your next trip. You’ll end up with a comfortable hotel room at a good price.
You can actually get a room upgrade without paying a dime. You can be sure of this by being on time to accept your hotel booking. A lot of the times your room may not be ready yet so they’ll give you a deal on a different room that’s better for free.
