Your hotel is a big part of your travel experience. It can really make or break a vacation. When you think of what a hotel costs, it’s a good idea to figure out what you should be looking for as well as what to stay away from when you’re reserving a spot. Read these tips to learn how to shop like the best travelers do.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
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 have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Take a look into organizations you are part of. Some may offer discounts on hotels. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. For extended stays, this can really add up. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Find out if the hotel allows pets. Take some bags to clean after your pet. Ask for a corner room so that your pets’ noise doesn’t bother anyone else.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. 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 perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
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.
The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you make your reservation. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. In this way, you will get good rates. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. There are many benefits you may be able to get. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. They provide you with points for every stay. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.
Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel’s swimming pool is working, You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your savings.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. Smokers often don’t care that their room is non-smoking, too. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
Early Departure
If you are going to inspect if your hotel room has bed bugs, then start looking in the bathroom. This is where you won’t find them. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
It you’re able to, try not to check out until it’s time for you to depart. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies 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. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
As you have seen from the above article, if you take the time to do some research, then you can get a great rate on a great hotel room. You need to know what you are looking for and when you should book a room. Keep these tips in mind to find the perfect hotel.
If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. Your hotel may not have these things or may have only a few, so it is smart to reserve in advance. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
