There are so many hotels with a huge range of prices and amenities. Actually choosing one can sometimes seem overwhelming. It is essential that you do some research before booking a hotel. Begin by outlining your price range and a few different requirements you have for your ideal hotel room. Remember the following advice as you conduct your search.
Check online reviews before booking a room. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. 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.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. Sometimes there are people that don’t know when the room will be ready and so they aren’t sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can’t check in. 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.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. This adds up to a night’s stay that is almost free.
In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. 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.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.
If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. If you can arrange a corner room, there will be less likelihood of your pet disturbing other guests.
Know when 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 find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You can save 5 percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. These savings really add up.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Go for a jog every morning. Spending time on the road with your own two feet will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
These tips should help you get the ideal room for your budget and needs. Next time you need a hotel, look again to the suggestions found here. In the end, your reward will be a comfortable and affordable hotel room that you love.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.