You don’t want to avoid being taken advantage of at a hotel room. Whether you get charged a bunch or end up a place that isn’t that nice, a bad experience can ruin a vacation. The following information will help you bypass some of the most common pitfalls with hotels so that your stay is a great one.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. 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.
Check online hotel reviews before booking your stay. These sites will allow you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are considering. What former guests have to say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you make an informed decision.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. After a week has gone by it will add up to a free night almost!
You should put any expensive items in the safe and go about your day without worry.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Does the plumbing work right? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
There are things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, a gym, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your desired amenities as possible.
Verify the check-in time at the hotel. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Take advantage of online when searching tools. These sites allow you to find good deals quickly.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel deals. This is why you to search for discounts yourself. Check out websites like SniqueAway, RueLaLaTravel, or RueLaLaTravel.
If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Remember to bring bags so that you can pick up your pet’s waste when you travel. 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.
Check out your room when you arrive. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mold? Are you given the linens and towels in ample supply? If you spot any problems, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
Plan your trip in advance as you can to ensure best rates. Many hotels offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. You might even be able to save up to fifty percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
If you are a daily runner, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch. Go for a jog every morning. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Do not assume that your pets are welcome at all hotels.
If you travel frequently, sign up for loyalty programs at your favorite hotels. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. The rewards can include free room upgrades, free meals and movie or show tickets tickets. The points can add up.
There are three different things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a trip. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. 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.
If you are a member of AAA, you should see what your hotel membership discount will be. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. You may be able to save upwards of five percent or more motels and hotels around the country. These savings can really add up.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. In this way, you will get good rates. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
If you are worried about the environment, you should look into “green” hotels. There are plenty of “green” hotels out there. Some of the newer hotels are certified to be green. Some older inns just select one or more eco-friendly so they can show environmental awareness. Talk to your travel agent to find the best green hotels.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. In many situations in which the room’s price is a great deal, the undisclosed price of your transfer can frequently eat up the savings. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. You can increase the amount you save more by simply finding this information out in advance.
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. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking allowed in the hotel.If you are a non-smoker, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
It is usually not possible to check-in early. Plan your trip right or you don’t want to wait. The hotel must clean each room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves.If you do happen to arrive early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t necessarily expect it.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. The smoke flows through the hotel and can stick to you. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room. If you are a non-smoker, be sure to request a non-smoking room in a non-smoking area of the hotel or you can find a hotel that is completely smoke free.
Not all hotel chains do offer these and those that will be able to accommodate you. Talk about these issues as you make your reservations.
Know your hotel’s policy on pets prior to booking with them. People who are allergic to pets obviously want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
Never actually check out before the departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel might charge a fee for early departure fee. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, if you depart early they will lose money.
Try to avoid checking out of the hotel ahead of your scheduled checkout time. This could result in a charge for early departure. When you reserve a room, the management of the hotel removes that room from the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses some money. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
Don’t open the water! You will likely be thirsty when you arrive. You may decide to reach for that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels know this and will charge more for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water.Check the hotel gym and see if they may have free water. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottled water.
To be safe, avoid the top bedspread that is provided by the hotel. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. That can mean it is full of germs, bacteria or who knows what else. Just take that blanket off the bed.
Do not give in to the temptation to run off with you when you leave.
Book your flight and hotel at the same time to save money. You may be able to save a lot of money by booking both from the same place. To maximize this service, be sure to compare the rates of different airlines and hotels.
You can get lower hotel rates when you don’t book during off season. This is when rates are at their highest. You will have a better chance of getting a good rate.
Book your hotel stay for a special occasion. Complimentary items may be offered if you are traveling for an anniversary or a birthday. For your anniversary, a hotel may offer you a bottle of champagne on the house. However, do not be dishonest about it.
Rest Areas
When leaving a hotel, tip the housekeeper. You can skip tipping for certain things because you’re billed for them anyways, but you should definitely give a tip to the maid. It is especially important to tip the housekeeper if you left the room messy.
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, maps and great discounts. This will save you an opportunity to book in advance and get a deal without visiting a hundred different hotels.
Sometimes asking the hotel clerk for a deal can get you a better rate. The clerk may not be able to lower the price, but often they can throw in a freebie or two to keep you happy. You won’t know if you never ask.
Use these tips to make your hotel stay great. These tips will help you have a better time while away from home. When you’re on the road and you stop at a hotel, it’s time to relax not time to be made uncomfortable and unhappy.
When you get a hotel booked with a site that’s third party, be careful because there are surcharges and fees that are hidden. Most quotes don’t reflect such charges. Do your research so that you know what the final cost will be.