Most everyone will find themselves needing to stay in a hotel room at some point. Because they lack the right information, some people make a bad decision about where to stay. Fortunately, you’re in a great place. You are about to be given some advice to ensure your hotel stay is a great one.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Certain Hotel
If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
When leaving your hotel room, keep any electronics you have secure by putting them in the room’s safe. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Are the facilities operating correctly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
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. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
Use online hotel search tools. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. They will also let you know what people pay on average when they go to that hotel. This lets you figure out if the deal you’re getting is a good one. Finally, they can also help you figure out when you want to go on your vacation and what you want to do there.
You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Search for hotel deals online. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. Websites like TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter always have promising bargains for certain hotels that you won’t find anywhere else for a better price.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. Take some bags to clean after your pet. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Also ask exactly what they mean by pet-friendly, as there might be restrictions on certain breeds and sizes of pet that they allow on their premises.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. First, you’ll need to find out if a hotel is even pet-friendly. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. 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.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
Book massages as early as possible. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. 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. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.
If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
Green Hotels
Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.
Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.
Always read a hotel’s pet policy, whether you are a pet owner or not. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. You may get charged extra for having a pet, but a lot of places don’t charge all that much. Depending on the hotel, that fee may or may not be enough to cover extra cleaning.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. You may be able to ask for a non-smoking room, however smoke can still travel through the air, settling on your clothing. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
If a crib or a rollaway bed is necessary for your stay, let your booking agent know. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. Some have smoking rooms. So if you are a smoker, be sure to ask for one of those rooms. There are hotels that will charge you quite a bit if they find out that you were lighting up in the room that wasn’t for smoking. This is why you should stick to the rules.
Do not open the bottled water in your hotel room. Sure, you’re thirsty and hot. The mini fridge is calling your name. Hotels are aware of this; therefore, their bottled water prices are very expensive. Check the hotel gym and see if they offer it for free. However, to be safe, you should pack some water bottles yourself.
So, when it comes time to plan a trip, keep these tips handy. When you do not do your research, the hotel you choose may not be a great one. Now that you know what to look for, you can make sure that you book the best hotel possible.
Don’t take any of the linens. As soft and luxurious as they are, the housekeepers will likely notice that things are missing, and you might get a bill from the hotel for them. If you really love those linens or pillows, find out if you can purchase them from the hotel.
