There are a multitude of things to consider when booking a hotel room, such as the location, price and amenities. This is why researching beforehand is essential. Figure out your budget and decide which features you need from a hotel room. Keep what you’re about to read here in your mind to have a stay that’s great.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
When can you check in? People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. Place all electronics there along with important documents, such as your passport or plane tickets.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. These programs give you points every time you stay there. As a result, you could have your next stay discounted or receive other benefits, like tickets to a show.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. If you can, make your reservation no earlier than 24 hours before you arrive. This will allow you to get a great price on a hotel room. Hotels are often happy to slash prices on impending vacancies since they will get nothing if they can’t book the room.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. You should bring some plastic bags and cleaning supplies to keep the room clean behind your pet. 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.
Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. Go for a jog every morning. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. 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.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.
If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. The prices are based partly on availability. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. If the hotel never rents the room they’ll get zero dollars for it, so most of the time they will give you a steep discount on it.
When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. Kids and pets can safely wait there too.
Distance Calls
If your requirements include a roll-away bed or a crib, you should call ahead to reserve them. Hotels usually have a limited number of these, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Make your needs known at the time you place your reservation so that you do not have any unpleasant surprises.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
Some people choose not to use the bedspreads provided by the hotel staff for hygienic reasons. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. It could have acquired a lot of invisible germs and other things you want to avoid. Remove the blanket from the bed to have peace of mind.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.
Understand your rights when it comes to hotels “walking” you. Hotels will overbook, leaving you without a room. The hotel will then “walk” you, or send you out to another hotel. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.
Checking in early may not be available. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. The room has to be cleaned ahead of your check in. If you can’t avoid being early, ask the front desk to make an exception, but be prepared if they can’t accommodate you.
Don’t take any of the linens. Keeping linens, a robe or some similar item will likely not go unnoticed. You will be issued a bill for the items taken. If you truly love them, ask the hotel about buying them.
There’s plenty of different sources for bargain hotel rooms, as you’ve read above. So keep the advice from above in mind and start planning your next trip. In the end, you will wind up with a great room at a great price.
It is possible to save money on travel by getting a package deal on your flight and hotel. A lot of websites for travel will give you quite a bit of savings for you if you reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight together. To maximize this service, be sure to compare the rates of different airlines and hotels.
