There is plenty you need to do in planning before you travel. Pack up your things, gas up the car, or maybe purchase tickets for a trip by plane. Of course, you can’t forget hotel reservations. To learn how to do it right, read on.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Hotel Search
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Use hotel search tools online. These sites can help you get good deals. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You can save 5 percent or more motels and hotels in the US. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Book massages as early as possible. Most of the best masseurs will be reserved by name ahead of time. You’ve got to get in your reservation early to get the best masseur or masseuses.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.
If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. 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.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. You might receive an upgrade at no cost or be allowed to check out later than others with your points.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Use your cell phone or the Internet. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. The prices are based partly on availability. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This will get you a great price on your room. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It’s safe for pets and kids too.
Join a loyalty program to get deals on your stays. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
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. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don’t always charge a lot. Depending on what the hotel is like, you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee.
Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Use the Internet, instead. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. Before you can enjoy your room, hotels need to clean the room properly. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but your request may not be granted.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.
If you’re going to need special sleeping arrangements at a hotel, such as a roll- away or baby bed, specify this as you make reservations. Most hotels will supply these items on request, but they do have a limited supply. On occasion, these services may require an additional charge. Talk about what you need when booking your room so you are not unpleasantly surprised.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
Do not check out prior to your agreed upon departure date if you can avoid it. This could result in a charge for early departure. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.
You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
Finding the hotel room is as important as finding a good vacation destination. Whether you need to go away for business or you want to take a trip with your family, the hotel you choose is crucial. The next time you’re making a reservation at a hotel of your choice, remember all of the tips that you have read in this article.
If you will be needing a rollaway or a crib, alert the hotel to this fact when making your reservation. Many hotels have a limited number of these, so it is important to mention this at booking. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Before making reservations, explain this.