When you stay at any hotel, you deserve to feel like royalty and not having to do things yourself. You definitely don’t want to pay your hard earned money to be uncomfortable and unhappy. So, now you should take the time you need to pick out the best hotel for yourself.
When leaving your hotel room, keep any electronics you have secure by putting them in the room’s safe. 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.
There are plenty of websites that offer reviews for local hotels, for example TripAdvisor. Use these websites to review a hotel before you make the actual reservation. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Use hotel search tools online. 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. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel room during your next trip. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. So, it’s up personally to you to go searching for such discounts. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
Travel Sites
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is it without mildew and mold? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. 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. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!
Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
When can you check in? If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.
Bring your running clothes with you on your trip. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Running Gear
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. They’ll lower the price to fill the room.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
If you are planning on staying in a hotel room with your children, make sure you call the hotel in advance to ensure they provide a working pool or some other fun activities for your children to do. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.
Be careful not to make long distance phone calls on the hotel phone. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This makes the perfect location to place your belongings while you inspect your hotel room for bedbugs. It’s safe for pets and kids too.
Always read a hotel’s pet policy, whether you are a pet owner or not. If you’re allergic to pets or fear them, then you may want to avoid hotels that allow pets. These hotels may also have an odor due to the smells sinking in the floor and linens. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don’t always charge a lot. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.
Check to see if the hotel allows pets. If you’re fearful of pets or have an allergic reaction to them, it would be in your best interest to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Depending on the hotel, you may be expected to pay extra for keeping a pet, but it isn’t usually a large sum. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Not every hotel is going to come with cribs or rollaways. In addition, there is sometimes an extra charge for these items. Talk about these issues as you reserve your room.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Hotels don’t typically have a lot of these, so be sure to ask in advance. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. Make sure these needs are discussed during the initial reservation so you don’t get any surprises.
Don’t drink the bottled water you’ll find in your hotel room. When you arrive at your hotel, you might be very thirsty. The bottled water inside the mini fridge may tempt you. Hotels are aware of this and have hiked up the price of that tempting bottled water significantly. Check out the gym instead; they may have free water. Better yet, bring some bottles with you.
Avoid drinking bottled water from a hotel! You are very likely to be tired and thirsty when finally arriving to a hotel. That’s what the hotel owners had in mind when they packed the min-fridge with delicious, yet expensive, refreshments. Hotels are really aware of this, and the water will cost you quite a bit more than it really should. Some hotels give free bottles of water to their guest in their gyms. An even better option is to pack your own bottled water for when you arrive.
Do not take anything from the hotel. As much as you may like the towels, washcloths or pillows, housekeeping is likely to notice any missing items, and the hotel may send you a bill for them. If you actually like the hotel’s stuff, ask if there is a way to purchase the items.
Do not take the linens with you when you check out of the hotel. If housekeeping notices that you’ve taken towels or linens, you may be billed for those items. If you actually like the hotel’s stuff, ask if there is a way to purchase the items.
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. Then, compare rates for several airlines and hotels for the best price.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Use a travel site that has package deals, which include hotel, flight, and rental car. To get the most from this service, compare rates of several different hotels and airlines.
If you are looking for a lower rate before you book a hotel, then don’t book a room during the peak season. Rooms typically cost the most during this time. Hotels are looking to increase occupancy during off-season months and this is the ideal time to book a room. You should get a much better price.
If it becomes necessary to book a hotel from the road, check rest areas, tourist centers and gas stations to find tourist books with maps of hotel locations, prices and discount offers. This helps you call for your room instead of driving from place to place and wishing for an awesome deal.
If you wish to have a good experience with a hotel room, you need to be sure you’re not going to be disappointed. Thankfully, due to the excellent advice provided here, you are certain to enjoy a great hotel visit. The perfect room is waiting for you; all you have to do is be aware of how to find it.
Tip at the hotel when appropriate. For instance, a tip is usually included in the room service bill, but you must tip the maid yourself. When you tip well, you are treated with respect and can expect a higher level of service.
