Improve Your Hotel Stays With This Advice

/ Hotels / By

Your hotel can really make a difference in the type of vacation experience.You need to know what’s important to search for and what really isn’t important when you’re looking for the best hotel.So following is some advice to assist you get the best room at the best price.

Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.

TIP! Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers.

Find great hotel room prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You might also be able to get discounts through AAA or AAA.

To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.

TIP! Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. 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.

Check with the organizations that you’re a member of. Some offer big discounts on certain hotels. People frequently forget these discounts are available, which can be 10% or more. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.

TIP! Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is your room mold and mildew free? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Are there enough of the right linens? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.

Take advantage of online when searching for a hotel. These websites can help you to find great deals.

Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.

TIP! If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance.

Always look for online deals before booking your hotel room. This is why you to search for these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, RueLaLaTravel, or RueLaLaTravel.

Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.

TIP! Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify.

Check your hotel room ahead of unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and mold while being clean? Are linens and towels? If you have any problem with the room, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.

If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! For an early morning jog, get up and throw your gear on, and then head out the front door. 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.

TIP! Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation.

Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you think you’ll be early.

If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. There are many benefits you may be able to get. You might receive an upgrade at no cost or be allowed to check out later than others with your points.

TIP! Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will be pet friendly.

If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, see about signing up for their frequent guest program. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.

TIP! If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay.

There are some things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a trip. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.

The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.

TIP! The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. The prices are based partly on availability.

If you’re a member of the AAA, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts on hotels. You can save 5 percent or even more on nationwide hotels. This is a savings that can really adds up over several nights.

To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.

TIP! Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal.

If you are a daily runner, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park.

Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Use the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.

TIP! Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use your cell phone or the Internet.

Free Stays

If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. This is where you won’t find them. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.

TIP! When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them.

It is wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. These programs provide perks to those who frequently use a particular chain regularly. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and even free stays when you get enough points.

Always find out the pet policy at any hotel you stay at. If you’re fearful of pets or have an allergic reaction to them, it would be in your best interest to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels could have weird odors because of smells getting into the linens and the floor. You may get charged extra for having a pet, but a lot of places don’t charge all that much. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.

TIP! What is the policy on pets? If you’re fearful of pets or have an allergic reaction to them, it would be in your best interest to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them.

If preserving the environment is of interest to you, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels that feature green amenities. Some of the newer hotels are certified to be green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more of several eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk to your travel agent about what you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.

For the sake of hygiene, avoid the bedspread provided by the hotel. While the staff may have washed the sheets prior to your stay, the comforter is not always washed. This bedspread could be a source of germs. Just make sure you remove the bedspread.

TIP! Avoid sleeping under the bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed between bookings.

The timing for the hotel room has much to do with what you book the room. Rooms are often priced based on their availability. This will net you receive the best hotel rates.

Be aware of your options in case a hotel “walks” you. This happens when the room you requested is unavailable because of overbooking on the part of the hotel. The hotel “walks” you to a new hotel nearby. If you can’t avoid this make sure the room you get there is better or comparable and that they pay for the travel there.

TIP! If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. This is when a hotel is overbooked and they have no accommodations for you.

Get a AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Parents with young children will probably like the complimentary car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.

Don’t steal the linens from the hotel. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them. If you really love those linens or pillows, find out if you can purchase them from the hotel.

TIP! Don’t pilfer the hotel towels or linens. They might be lovely, but you will be charged for them.

There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your excited kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.

Don’t book your trip during peak season if you are looking to get a good price. These times feature the highest rates. Instead you should try booking a room when it’s not peak season as this is when a hotel wants more visitors. Your chances of getting a great deal will increase exponentially.

TIP! You can get a cheaper price on a nice hotel if you book during their slow times of the year. That’s when it costs the most.

You should always be aware whether or not the hotel’s policy concerning pets.These hotels might also suffer from odors because the floor and bed linens. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning that needs to be done.

If you need to book a hotel room while already traveling, check gas stations or rest areas for free pamphlets containing maps of the area and information about local services. This way you’ll be able to call a place and get your room instead of driving around looking for deals.

TIP! If you need to reserve a hotel room while you are traveling, you can find some helpful information at welcome centers, gas stations and rest stops with valuable discounts. This way, you won’t be driving around forever looking for a place to stay.

Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread usually get washed between bookings. It could have acquired a carrier of invisible germs and germs. Just take that blanket off of the bed.

Hotels may advertise one price but you can usually get a much lower price. This is known as the “rack rate,” something that smart travelers never pay. Hotels are used to travelers asking for discounts or special rates and they are usually happy to accomodate you. All you have to do is call the hotel you like and ask them for an exceptionally great deal. Be bold. You can find great discounts on travel sites.

TIP! You can always avoid paying an advertised price at any hotel. That is called the “rack rate” and savvy travelers never pay that much.

A bit of research goes a long way in reserving a hotel. You need to know how and where to look. Keep the aforementioned tips in mind to ensure you find the perfect hotel.

A special occasion is a great time to book a hotel room. Some hotels may give you something special if your stay is for your birthday or anniversary. They might even give you a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Never lie, though!

TIP! Let the hotel management know when you are there for a special occasion. You could get a perk because of the event in question.