Feeling like someone has taken advantage of you is never a good thing, especially when it comes to a hotel. Whether it is paying too much or a room isn’t as expected, having a poor hotel experience can leave a bad taste on anyone’s tongue. The article below can help you bypass some of the most common pitfalls with hotels so that your stay is a great one.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.
To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. On this type of site, you can find out the average and discounted rates of most hotels. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
Figuring out which hotel you want to book isn’t an easy process. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. Amenities, such as a gym, room service, or free Wi-Fi, might be of importance to you. Find a hotel room that includes all of the features that you demand. There’s sure to be one out there.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Do you need extra linens or towels? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Most of the best masseurs will be reserved by name ahead of time. You’ve got to get in your reservation early to get the best masseur or masseuses.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Be sure that the hotel really does allow pets. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. When you call to make reservations, try getting a room away from other guests so any noise your pet makes won’t bother people.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
If you and a loved one are wanting to go to a hotel and get massages, it is important that you book the appointment way 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.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. The prices are based partly on availability. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? It will let you save 5% or so on hotels that are around the nation. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. It is not uncommon to find that greatly discounted bookings may have a hidden cost for the transfer. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some new buildings are certified as green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Aaa Membership
The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. You can often get the best price if you do it this way. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat that comes with some rentals.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. Use this type of thing to get with people you know while you’re in your hotel room so you can save quite a bit of money.
Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel’s swimming pool is working, There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel allows smoking or does not. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. Also, people may rent a non-smoking room and smoke in it. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. These hotels could have weird odors because of smells getting into the linens and the floor. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. If the hotel allows animals in any room, then you may want to book elsewhere if you have allergies.
Be sure you understand the pet policy of the hotel. If you’re terrified pets or are allergic to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Not to mention, you’ll definitely notice unwanted smells in the floor or in the linens if you don’t own a pet yourself. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. It might not cover deep cleaning.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. These items are not available at all hotels. When they are available, they are often in limited supply. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
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. Not every hotel is going to come with cribs or rollaways. Certain hotels will even charge a fee for these things. Therefore, when booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about these things so that you are prepared.
In order to make sure you avoid hotel stays that are distasteful, follow the advice that has been provided to you here. You now have a better idea of what to look for in the right hotel room and what to avoid from the wrong ones. When you are traveling, a hotel should be a restful place, not a source of unhappiness.
If you are concerned about germs, you might want to take the bedspread off of the bed. Sheets are generally washed after guests leave the room, but the bedspread typically isn’t. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Just get that blanket off of the bed.
