Are you overwhelmed just thinking about choosing a hotel room? There are so many choices out there, how can you find the perfect one? Relax, we’ve got it covered. The tips listed here can help you find a great hotel.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. Room service generally costs more than ordering out; however, it is nice to be able to order a meal in the middle of the night if you so choose.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Hotel Safe
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Does everything work? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Some offer big discounts on hotel rooms. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. It may equate to one whole free night.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. For easy cleanup, make sure that you have brought along an adequate number of plastic bags. 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.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It’s your job to find them yourself. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Take some bags to clean after your pet. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
Joining certain clubs that let you accrue points can help you reap major benefits from your regular hotel stays. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.
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? You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. This can net you a great deal. A room that’s empty won’t help the hotel, so generally they will get the price lowered.
Be aware that you can’t normally check-in early at your hotel. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. Inquiring in advance will mean more savings for you.
If you’ll need a rollaway or crib, make sure to mention it when booking the room. Not all hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Sometimes, there is an additional charge for these items. Talk about these issues as you reserve your room.
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 book a room during a heavy occupancy period, don’t be surprised if you have a mandatory stay of a few days or more. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. This is why they usually charge you an fee for early departure.
Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
You have rights in the event where a hotel needs to “walk” you. There may be times when a hotel overbooks, leaving with no room. They might try and send you to a different hotel. Avoid having this happen if you can, but if you’re going to a different hotel, be sure that the deal is better than the place you were trying to get.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Utilize the Internet, instead. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
Avoid drinking bottled water from a hotel! You may feel a bit parched shortly after checking in. You may decide to reach for that bottle of water calling to you from the mini fridge. There is a huge mark-up in price because the hotel knows this fact. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Or, to be sure you save money, you can just pack a few water bottles from home.
Now that you have read this article, you are much more informed on how to obtain a great hotel at a great deal. Take the time to do the proper research before making a decision. After looking over your choices, you can then be in a much better position to make a good decision.
Don’t decide you need new linens as you are sitting in your hotel room. They might be lovely, but you will be charged for them. If you find you really like these items, then ask the hotel if you could purchase them instead.
