The cost of hotels can be costly, so you should be getting a lot of comfort for your money. Whether you are paying too much or the place is just lousy, a bad experience can ruin a vacation. If you wan to make sure you have an enjoyable stay, and thus an enjoyable vacation, then pay serious attention to the advice below.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at. What others say will help you make a wise decision.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online and check out some of the travel sites out there. 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.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. It can add up to almost a free hotel night!
Check online for great hotel deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. There are many travel websites that offer discounts.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. The cost is important but hardly the only factor to keep in mind. Internet access, pools, fitness centers and breakfast offered are a few other things to consider. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Ask the hotel about their check-in time.. Many people show up before check-in time only to find out their room isn’t ready. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. 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.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Therefore, make sure you call the hotel staff to confirm that they will allow pets. Even if they have a website that states pets are allowed, you should still call to confirm this. Be certain you understand all rules pertaining to pets. Some hotels only allow certain types, sizes and breeds.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Do you have all the towels and linens 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.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name. This means that if you book early, you’ll have a better experience.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. This can add up in time!
There are three things to do ahead of time if you want to bring your pet to a hotel with you. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Be kind to other hotel guests by requesting a room that is as far away from other guests as possible, so they won’t be disturbed by any noise your pet may make.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.
If you want to have a massage with your partner on your vacation, make sure that you schedule an appointment with a masseuse as early as possible. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.
Loyalty Programs
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. 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.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
Check to see if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. Even if you reserve a non-smoking room, the smell of smoke can circulate through the hotel’s air vents and cause your clothes to pick up the odor. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to check in. You can see if your room is ready should you arrive early. However, do not count on it.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. The hotel may charge a fee for early departure. When a hotel room is something you book, they are taking it away from other people and will lose some money if you leave early. So, they may charge you a fee for early departure to replace the loss in revenue.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. Hotels sometimes over-book, and this can leave you without a room. This is known as “walking” a customer. Try not to let this happen to you, but if it is unavoidable, be sure that that you are getting a room that is at least as good as the one that you paid for.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
Leave the bottled water alone in your hotel room! When you get checked in you might feel thirsty and a little tired. You might want to open the bottled water they left you. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. You might be able to get free bottled water in the hotel gym. Even better, bring along a few of your own bottles.
If you wish to be sure you’re not having a bad hotel stay, this advice should be followed because it will teach you what you need to know. By being informed on how hotels operate, then you are much more likely to enjoy an incredible hotel experience. Relax, unwind and enjoy!
Book your flight and hotel at the same time to save money. It is not unusual for travel websites to provide large savings when a hotel is booked along with a rental car or a flight. For best results, do a rate comparison of various carriers and hotels.
