It is not easy to plan a vacation. Not only do you have to choose your vacation spot and arrange for transportation, you also have to book your hotel accommodations. Your hotel choice is crucial because the wrong room can ruin the entire vacation. This article is full of excellent advice about booking a fabulous hotel.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. This safe will store your small important items, such as your iPad, iPod, GPS, jewelry, etc. By doing this, you can keep these items secure and enjoy your day without fretting about someone stealing them.
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. Even though this will cost a bit more, the convenience and comfort are worth it.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Some organizations will receive discounts for different reasons from different hotels. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
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 use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.
When making a hotel selection, you should consider many things. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. You may save 50 percent or more.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These sites can help you get good 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.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you want to have a massage with your partner on your vacation, make sure that you schedule an appointment with a masseuse as early as possible. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name. This means that if you book early, you’ll have a better experience.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Green Hotels
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. You can accumulate points that you can redeem for free hotel stays, discounts at restaurants, and all types of entertainment.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Request the help of the travel agent in identifying hotels that are environmentally friendly.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.
If you wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
Phone Calls
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Look to the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these options to keep in touch with family, friends and coworkers rather than incurring high costs by using the hotel’s phone system.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. 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 can be a temporary haven for children and pets.
Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel’s swimming pool is working, It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
If you smoke, you should understand the hotel’s policy about smoking before you book a room. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If they do, ask for this type of room. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. The smoke flows through the hotel and can stick to you. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms because that is all that is available, and then they smoke in them anyway. Instead of choosing a non-smoking room, you can actually find an entire non-smoking hotel if you really want to avoid nasty, secondhand smoke.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Some hotels don’t provide these things, and the ones that do usually have a limited amount. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. Before making reservations, explain this.
You can get better hotel rates when you don’t book during peak tourist seasons. Rates are at their peak then. If you can, try to reserve rooms during the low season. This is when the hotels are anxious to fill their rooms. You’ll typically find that the rates you get will be good.
In this way, your enjoyment of your vacation will not be marred by bad accommodations. Take the time to plan your trip and research your hotel options. You can make much better decisions when you know what to look for in the right hotel. You want to enjoy your whole vacation, and that includes your hotel. Be sure you utilize the advice provided when you are planning your next vacation.
If an upgrade is desirable, try a strategy that might get it free. You can do this by going at the precise check-in time. Sometimes, your room is not yet clean, which means they offer an upgraded room for free.
