When planning a trip, there are many things to do. Packing, buying plane tickets, or getting the car ready to go. Then, on top of all of that, you’ve got to find a suitable hotel reservation. If you wish to get assistance with this, continue on.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. You can make a wise choice when you know what others think about a hotel.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. If you have a membership in any other organization, put that down as well.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. You can put just about anything in there, as long as it isn’t too big, and you won’t have to worry about it.
You can enjoy a romantic dinner in your room by calling room service. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Use hotel search tools online. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. They also list the average cost of a hotel room, allowing you to ensure you are receiving an acceptable deal. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. In a lot of cases, the person booking your room isn’t going to tell you about online discounts. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
There are some things you have to do before taking your pet on a trip. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
If you travel a lot, you should consider joining hotel loyalty programs. There are many benefits you may be able to get. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. There are many benefits you may be able to get. There are many great rewards even leading up to free stays as you gather up more loyalty points.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Older hotels might change practices to be more green. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. They provide you with points for every stay. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. 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 is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
A membership in AAA can make booking a hotel easier when you travel. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use the Internet, instead. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you are afraid of pets or have allergies to them, you should probably avoid booking at pet friendly hotels. Because odors have a tendency to linger on fabrics and rugs, the hotel may have an odor about it. You may get charged extra for having a pet, but a lot of places don’t charge all that much. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.
If you are a parent who needs a roll-away or a crib in their hotel room, then you’ll need to call prior to making your reservation and find out if they are available. These items are not available at all hotels. When they are available, they are often in limited supply. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. Talk about these things when you make your reservations.
Moking Rooms
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Most hotels only wash the sheets on the bed; however, the bedspread is normally not washed. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Remove it from the bed before you use it.
Is your room non-smoking or not? If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. If you don’t want to stink like a cigarette when you are leaving a non smoking hotel may be a good choice.
Whatever you do, don’t open the bottled water. You may arrive at your destination exhausted and thirsty. This could tempt you to open the water that is in the mini-fridge or on the desk. Hotels are aware of this, that bottle of water will be much more expensive than if you bought it elsewhere. Check the hotel gym and see if they offer it for free. Or, to be sure you save money, you can just pack a few water bottles from home.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. This could result in a charge for early departure. Booking a hotel room means the hotel is going to take that specific room off of their market. If you wind up leaving early, then they’ll be losing money for every day that you don’t stay. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
You can get lower hotel rates by booking during off season. This is when rates are highest. Book when the hotel is empty for the best deals. You will have a greater chance of getting a fantastic rate.
Don’t get that bottled water and open it! After checking into your room you will probably feel exhausted and thirsty. You might feel the urge to untwist the cap on the bottled water sitting in the mini-fridge. The hotel knows your cravings and has priced that bottle of water sky high. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Better still, pack a few bottles of your own.
You can actually get a room upgrade without paying a dime. One savvy way to possibly get an upgrade is to show up at the check-in time you booked exactly on the minute. A lot of the times your room may not be ready yet so they’ll give you a deal on a different room that’s better for free.
Don’t think that you should steal the hotel’s property. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items. If you actually like the hotel’s stuff, ask if there is a way to purchase the items.
Your hotel stay may become a bit more pleasant if you are willing to tip appropriately. For instance, a tip is usually included in the room service bill, but you must tip the maid yourself. Tipping will make your stay better.
Finding a hotel to stay at is an important part of planning a successful trip. A comfortable hotel room ensures your enjoy your stay whether on business or pleasure. Remember the tips from this article when you go to make a hotel reservation.
Do not pay the posted price at any hotel. Hotels post this rate, referred to as a “rack rate”, in hopes that uninformed travelers will pay it. However, hotels are aware that informed travelers will never pay this rate; therefore, they will have to compromise. Just give the hotel a call, and request the best deal available. Don’t be afraid. Travel websites are notorious for offering large discounts.
