You don’t want to feel as though the hotel got one over on you. It doesn’t matter if the hotel has overcharged you or you were given bad service, these types of things can affect your stay in a big way. Avoid these problems altogether by heeding the advice you’re about to read.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed 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? You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
It’s important to make sure that your valuables are safe during a hotel stay, so make use of the room’s safe. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. It may equate to one whole free night.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Price is one, but a prime location is another. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Shop around for a hotel that has the features that are most important to you.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. The reservation clerk won’t offer these details to you over the phone. This is why it’s up to you to search for these discounts. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.
Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. First, find out if the hotel allows pets. Bring along lots of plastic bags for clean ups. When you call to make reservations, try getting a room away from other guests so any noise your pet makes won’t bother people.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. They provide you with points for every stay. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
The time you book the room will change how much you’ll pay. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. A room that’s empty won’t help the hotel, so generally they will get the price lowered.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
To make reserving a hotel easy, use AAA. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.
The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you make your reservation. The prices are based partly on availability. Book your room more the day before you need it if you can. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Using the Internet is a better option. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. 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. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.
If you are traveling with kids, make sure the hotel you book has a working pool. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.
To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. Have kids and/or pets wait for you in the bathroom while you look around.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.
See if the hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
To prevent horrible hotel experiences, it is important to utilize the advice provided to you in this article. By knowing what to look out for and how to spot a great deal, you will have a better experience. When you are traveling, a hotel should be a restful place, not a source of unhappiness.
See what the pet policy is at the hotel. If you dislike or have allergies to pets, steer clear of hotels that allow pets. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
