A great hotel turns your vacation into a fantasy. For example, spending too much on a hotel room can keep you from enjoying the rest of your tips. Use this article to find the best value.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
What groups are you a member of? Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal online. You have to look for the discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.
You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Have the staff provided all the necessary soap, shampoo, towels, etc. that you will be needing? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. 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. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
Be sure and take care of three important things before bringing a pet on your trip to any hotel. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. 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.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Rooms prices are based on their availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. Doing so will ensure you get the best possible price on a hotel room. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Some new buildings are certified as green. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Look to the Internet, instead. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. 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.
Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you may want to find a different hotel. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are not supposed to smoke in. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
Pet Friendly Hotels
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room. 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 what the pet policy is at the hotel. If you are afraid of pets or have allergies to them, you should probably avoid booking at pet friendly hotels. Also, pet friendly hotels may have lingering odors that have been absorbed by carpeting or linens. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. It does take extra effort and expense to take care of pets issues and some hotels do not take the time necessary.
If you will be needing a rollaway or a crib, alert the hotel to this fact when making your reservation. Some hotels may not have one, so you want to know this upfront. Certain hotels will even charge a fee for these things. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
As we said before, if you stay at a motel which is to costly, you end up having very little money to spend on excursions and other adventures. Follow the advice presented here to get a comfortable hotel room. Keep these tips handy in case you need them again.
Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. Sure, you might be a little thirsty after checking into your new room. That bottle of water in the mini fridge can be might tempting. Hotels are well aware of this and will charge you a hefty fee for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Many hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Pack a couple bottles of water.
