When you’re planning a vacation, there’s a lot of hard work to be done before you even leave the house. You have to pack, fill the car with gas, or buy plane tickets. Another thing that must be done is you must make hotel reservations. Read this article for tips that will help you out.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. These reviews can help you decide which hotel you should select.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
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. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. On this type of site, you can find out the average and discounted rates of most hotels. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
When you’re looking for the perfect hotel, there are a few different things you should always check for first. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Search for hotel deals online. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
There are some things you have to do before taking your pet on a trip. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
Book any massage appointments you make early. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
Use your AAA discount at hotels. It may be surprising that auto clubs members receive hotel deals, but they do. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Inquiring in advance will mean more savings for you.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
Car Rental
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
Get a AAA membership to facilitate the process of booking a hotel when you travel. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. Don’t smoke in a nonsmoking room, or you may be charged by the hotel for doing so.
To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
A great hotel is an integral part of a great trip. Business or pleasure, your best trip starts with getting the best hotel room. When you are next making a hotel reservation, remember what you have read here.
In most cases, checking into a hotel room ahead of schedule isn’t possible. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. If you can’t avoid being early, ask the front desk to make an exception, but be prepared if they can’t accommodate you.
