America features thousands of hotels, from luxury resorts bragging about their five stars to homely motels on the side of the road that look ancient. Your trip experience depends on whether you are staying in a good hotel or a bad one. Keep on reading if you want a little help finding the best hotels.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. It may cost more, but it’s convenient when you don’t feel like leaving.
Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. 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.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. This adds up to a night’s stay that is almost free.
Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These sites can help you get good deals. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. 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. There are many travel websites that offer discounts.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the sink, shower, and toilet all work properly? Do you need extra linens or towels? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
Use your AAA discount at hotels. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You can save 5 percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. They provide you with points for every stay. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.
A membership in AAA can make booking a hotel easier when you travel. Members of AAA get discounts at lots of hotel chains which more than makes up the membership to AAA, plus it is easier to rent a car anywhere you go. In addition, parents may enjoy the benefit of having free car seats provided.
If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use Skype. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
Is your room non-smoking or not? If you’re not a smoker, it may be wise to stay away from rooms that are for smoking. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. There are times when smokers end up staying in non-smoking rooms, and smoking in them. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. 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 will need a crib or rollaway, be sure to specify this fact when you make your reservation. Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Avoid difficulties by making these arrangements in advance.
Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. Members of AAA will get additional hotel discounts up to five percent, but you’ll also get discounts on rental cars as well. Those with youngsters will be grateful for the free car seats.
You can save quite a bit on your next vacation when you choose to bundle your hotel room and flight. Online sites allow for bundles which lead to great discounts. If you want to maximize your possibilities, comparison shop the rates of multiple hotels and airlines.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. So if you are a smoker, be sure to ask for one of those rooms. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
You can save money by not booking a hotel room during tourist season. Usually, hotels charge their highest rates during these seasons. Find out when the off-season is because this is the time that rates are lower during low-occupancy times. You will have a greater chance of getting a fantastic rate.
Hotel Early
If you want an upgrade, try to get one for free. You can do this by checking in exactly at your expected arrival time. Often the room you have reserved will still be dirty, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. If you do get to the hotel early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.
If you need to book a hotel on short notice while traveling, take a look at different tourist centers, rest stops or gas stations to grab free pamphlets and guides which allow you to get good discounts and find names of hotels. This allows you to call the hotel to book a room, instead of driving from one to another in search of a good deal.
If you are going to need a rollaway or a crib, make sure that the hotel knows this in the reservation process. Some hotels have these in short supply. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Tipping can make any hotel stay more pleasant. While a tip is usually included in room service, it isn’t included in maid service. When you tip well, you are treated with respect and can expect a higher level of service.
If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. This could result in a charge for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
A better view is sometimes available from certain rooms in the hotel. If you do not have to pay more for a room with a good view, ask for one. Small things like this can add to your experience. You have nothing to lose by requesting a room with the best view possible.
When planning for a trip, you may make a hasty hotel reservation at the first place you find. Unfortunately, this tactic can virtually ruin a trip. Nobody want to settle into a hotel room that’s dirty, so keep this advice in mind to help you avoid that.
Do not pay the posted price at any hotel. They call this the “rack rate,” which most travelers know not to pay. Hotels expect you to try and negotiate the price. Just call up the hotel and ask for the best deal you can manage. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Sometimes, travel websites will offer considerable discounts.
