The Skinny On Choosing The Best Hotels

Does just thinking about booking a hotel send chills up your spine? There are hundreds of choices and hundreds of websites, which can make it difficult to find the best deals. Try to stay calm. This article will give you advice on what to do to get a really good hotel for your trip.

Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.

TIP! Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering.

Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.

Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.

TIP! Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.

Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. Anything of value can be securely locked in the safe, then you won’t have to worry about your valuables while out enjoying yourself for the day.

TIP! If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.

Use online hotel search tools. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!

TIP! Take a look into organizations you are part of. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members.

Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? Any problems that you notice should be reported to front desk staff right away. That way, they can be rectified or you can change rooms.

Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.

TIP! Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. In a lot of cases, the person booking your room isn’t going to tell you about online discounts.

Be aware of when you can check into your room. If you are early, your room may not be ready. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.

When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough linens and towels? If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.

TIP! Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Does the plumbing work right? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need.

Not every hotel allows pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Be certain you understand all rules pertaining to pets. Some hotels only allow certain types, sizes and breeds.

Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.

TIP! Be aware of when you can check into your room. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready.

There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Find out if the hotel allows pets. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.

If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. Additionally, bring along a few plastic bags suitable for cleaning up after your animal. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.

TIP! If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets.

If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. The savings can really add up nightly.

Book massages as early as possible. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.

TIP! If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Frequently, the most skilled massage specialists at the best hotels are reserved by name, so when you plan ahead, you can get the best.

Loyalty Program

If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. The more nights you stay, the more you will save.

TIP! Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels.

If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. A loyalty program offers many benefits. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.

Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.

TIP! If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it.

Try out a green vacation. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose 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. Finding hotels that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as asking your favorite travel agent.

For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They provide benefits to anyone who stays at a hotel chain frequently. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.

TIP! Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel.

The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. You may find the best prices this way. Hotels are often happy to slash prices on impending vacancies since they will get nothing if they can’t book the room.

The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.

TIP! How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Rooms prices are based on their availability.

After reading this article, you should have a better grasp at how to find the best hotel at a price that you can afford. Do the proper research and take the time to look your options over. One you have all the information, you can make the best decision about which hotel will be best for your vacation.

Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.

TIP! Is your room non-smoking or not? If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking.