There is so much to do as you plan to go away. There’s plenty of packing to be done. Then you’ve got to put gas in the car or shop for plane tickets. You will also have to reserve a hotel room. Look at the article below for some great advice on booking your hotel the easy way.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
If you belong to any organizations, find out if they get any discount from certain hotel chains. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. You end up with an even bigger savings if your hotel stay is going to be for multiple nights. It can add up to equal a free night!
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have an adequate number of towels? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
Use hotel search tools online. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. They also can help with figuring out when the ideal time to go on vacation is and what you can do once you are there.
Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Book massages as early as possible. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Make sure the room is entirely clean and free from any mildew or mold. Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough of the right linens? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
When can you check in? Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. Go for a jog every morning. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Membership Programs
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. As a result, you could have your next stay discounted or receive other benefits, like tickets to a show.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. These savings really add up.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some new buildings are certified as green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This can net you a great deal. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. There are several green hotels around. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Use your cell phone or the Internet. Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Look into the smoking policies in the hotel you are considering. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. Even if you book a non-smoking room, smoke can enter your room through air vents. There are times when smokers end up staying in non-smoking rooms, and smoking in them. If you don’t want to stink like a cigarette when you are leaving a non smoking hotel may be a good choice.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so be sure to adhere to the hotel’s rules with regard to smoking.
One of the most important things during your vacation is your hotel room. From a budget place to a luxurious spa, what you choose makes a huge difference. Remember this advice from this article when you need to make your next hotel reservation.
If you’re going to need to get a crib or a rollaway, you need to let the people at the hotel know before you arrive. Some hotels won’t have these extra amenities, and when they do, there is often an extra cost. Also, these things can cost extra. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.