
Everybody has to stay at a hotel at some time. Regardless of whether it is for business or pleasure, you need to know what you are doing. The following tips should be useful.
Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. You will be able to see the most recent reviews. This can help you choose which hotel to stay at.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. 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.
Put your electronics into 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.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. It is easy to forget about the discounts. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.
Check the organizations that you’re a member of. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. These discounts can be as much as 10 percent or even more. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. It can add up to equal a free night!
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. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.
Many things must be considered when choosing the right hotel. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Use online search tools for hotels. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. They also can help with figuring out when the ideal time to go on vacation is and what you can do once you are there.
Check online for great hotel deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.
Check your room when you arrive. 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. Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is it tidy and sanitary? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Are there enough linens and towels? If you have any problem with the room, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. If you might arrive prior to check-in time, try calling the hotel and seeing if the room is available.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. The savings can really add up nightly.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
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.
You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.
The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the dates on which you plan to stay there. Hotels price rooms based on availability. 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 usually ensure that you receive the best available price. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
Review the pet policy at the hotel. If you have an allergy, or you just don’t like dogs, it may not be in your best interest to book a hotel that lets guests bring their pets. The smells tend to stick around. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. Your hotel may charge you a fee to do so. Booking a hotel room means the hotel is going to take that specific room off of their market. If you wind up leaving early, then they’ll be losing money for every day that you don’t stay. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you’re not a smoker, it may be wise to stay away from rooms that are for smoking. Even if you book a non-smoking room, smoke can enter your room through air vents. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. To be sure you don’t absorb cigarette smoke, think about staying at a nonsmoking hotel.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. This happens when the room you requested is unavailable because of overbooking on the part of the hotel. In such cases, the hotel “walks” you, or sends you to another hotel. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. These hotels may also have an odor due to the smells sinking in the floor and linens. Depending on the hotel, you may be expected to pay extra for keeping a pet, but it isn’t usually a large sum. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
As you have already read, everyone will eventually need to stay at a hotel. Before you make your reservation, you need to do some research first. This article provides some valuable advice for finding the hotel you love, so make sure you use it.
You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. While the staff may have washed the sheets prior to your stay, the comforter is not always washed. It may be a carrier of bacteria and germs. For your health’s sake, remove the bedspread.