There are many things to consider when planning a vacation. You have to choose where you’re going and figure out how you’re getting there. You also need to figure out where to stay, and this can be hard if you are traveling to an area for the first time. The article below can help.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Room service is great for late meals. 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.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
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 put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! You end up with an even bigger savings if your hotel stay is going to be for multiple nights. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. You may save 50 percent or more.
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. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. 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.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are there enough linens and towels? 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 want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. 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. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. In this way, you can simply suit up and enjoy your workout as usual while on the road. 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.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. You can save 5 percent or more motels and hotels in the US. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Loyalty Programs
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. A loyalty program offers many benefits. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Do you travel on a periodic basis and use the same hotel chain? If so, check out the loyalty programs provided by that hotel. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. They provide you with points for every stay. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. This is where you won’t find them. This makes it an ideal spot to put your luggage as you check out the rest of your room for bedbugs. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Some newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. 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.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Always review the policy of whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. Depending on what the hotel is like, you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
If you have a young child, ask for a crib when you call to make your reservation. Not every hotel will carry them, and the ones that do may not have enough to go around. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.
If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. This is why they usually charge you an fee for early departure.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
Be aware of your options in case a hotel “walks” you. When hotels overbook rooms, the one you reserved may not be available. When this happens, the hotel directs you to another property, “walking” you. It’s best to avoid this, but if you can’t, be sure you are going to a better hotel and getting a better room.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. Too avoid exposure to the smell of cigarette smoke, it may be best to stay at a non-smoking hotel.
Bundle your flight and your accommodations for greater savings. Many travel websites will offer a significant discount if you book a hotel room as well as a rental car or flight. To get the best deal, compare the rates between several airlines and hotels.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. Ask to see if any of these are available. Don’t smoke in a nonsmoking room, or you may be charged by the hotel for doing so.
If you are looking for an upgrade, try scoring one without having to pay a dime. You might be able to do this by arriving on time. Sometimes, rooms aren’t ready when patrons arrive, and the hotels give them better rooms for no extra charge.
You now can see how choosing the right hotel room is not too difficult. Once you understand what to look for, you can start planning ahead. You will have an enjoyable stay when making your plans for your trip. You will make some great memories at the hotel that will stay with you for years!
Sometimes, a hotel room will have a view that’s great when compared to others. If you do not have to pay more for a room with a good view, ask for one. Just having a better view can enhance your enjoyment of your hotel stay. It is always smart to find out if you can get a room with a nice view.
