A substandard hotel stay is downright insulting when you consider how much a hotel costs. Whether you get charged a bunch or end up a place that isn’t that nice, you will have a bad time if you don’t have good information about this. Instead of making these mistakes, read the advice contained here to enjoy your next stay at a hotel.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. These discounts are often neglected; however, they can save you upwards of ten percent. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Price is one thing you should consider, but when you get a hotel you may want it near a certain place. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
Check online for great hotel deals. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Look at Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel or similar websites for discounts.
There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
Book any massage appointments you make early. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name. Therefore, by planning in advance, you can ensure you have the best possible experience during your massage.
Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Be sure that the hotel really does allow pets. You should bring some plastic bags and cleaning supplies to keep the room clean behind your pet. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
Book massages as early as possible. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
Join a membership program if you travel frequently. 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.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Use the Internet, instead. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It can be a temporary haven for children and pets.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. There are times when smokers end up staying in non-smoking rooms, and smoking in them. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
Call ahead of arrival to see if the pool is open to keep the family happy. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. If they do, ask for this type of room. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. 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. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.
See if the hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. If you reserve a room for a set number of days but check out a day or two early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room. So, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.
Find out what the policy on pets is. If you’re scared of pets or are allergic, you might want to stay away from pet-friendly hotels. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, and the charge is not much in some places. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
Avoid sleeping under the bedspread. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. As a result, the bedspread will likely contain all kinds of germs and bacteria. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.
To be sure you stay at a great hotel, use the above advice. When you hot to find a great deal and what you need to watch out for, you will have a much better experience. Relax, unwind and enjoy!
To find great deals on hotels while in transit, check out rest stop tourist booklets. This will save you time and money.
