Going On A Trip? Check Out These Hotel Tips Before Booking Your Stay

Have you ever booked a hotel before? This is all too common and can ruin a trip.The following article is packed with tips on how to find a great hotel at an affordable price.

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 types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.

TIP! Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel.

Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great prices. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You may also be able to get discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA or AARP.

Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.

TIP! Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online.

Check with the organizations you are a member with. Some offer you discounts on hotel prices. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can be 10% or more. It can add up to almost a free night!

Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.

TIP! If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.

Check out your room when you arrive. Is your room clean and devoid of issues like mildew free?Are linens and towels you’ll need present in the room? If any issues are immediately prevalent, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. This can also net you a free hotel night.

TIP! Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices.

Plan your trip as far in advance for the best rates. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you are willing to book more than a few months in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent if you book months in advance.

There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Find a hotel room that includes all of the features that you demand. There’s sure to be one out there.

TIP! There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying.

Don’t think that all hotels will accept pets.

Search online tools for hotels. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. Being able to comparison shop helps you find the best value, while getting the amenities that are important to you. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.

TIP! Take advantage of search tools online. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast.

If you are an AAA member, look into hotel discounts included. You might be surprised where hidden discounts on hotels. You can save up to an additional five percent or more on certain hotels throughout the country. This is a savings that can really adds up when you are staying for many nights.

Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.

TIP! Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online.

It is wise to look into loyalty program if you travel frequently. They offer a variety of benefits to their hotel. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.

Be aware of when you can check into your room. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.

TIP! Know the check-in times. Sometimes there are people that don’t know when the room will be ready and so they aren’t sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can’t check in.

If you are concerned about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are many hotels that take the environment into consideration. Some new hotels are built in a way that they get certified to be green. Some hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk to a travel agent to find green hotels.

Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.

TIP! Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Call before you book so that you know for sure.

The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the price you pay. Rooms are often priced based on their availability. This will get you the best price when it comes to hotel rates.

If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.

TIP! If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. There are many benefits you may be able to get.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. You will save by asking about such a thing in advance.

If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.

TIP! You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. There are many hotels that feature green amenities.

Get a AAA membership for hotel when you travel. Parents of small children will appreciate the car set offered in a lot of locations.

Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. It is not uncommon to find that greatly discounted bookings may have a hidden cost for the transfer. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.

TIP! Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates.

Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This saves you a lofty bill.

Being a member of AAA makes travel very easy. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. It is definitely worth looking into.

TIP! When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains.

Start looking in the bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the place where you won’t see any. It is a temporary haven for pets and kids to stay.

Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.

TIP! If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.

You should be aware of the hotel allows pets. These hotels might also suffer from odors because the floor and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels are pet-friendly and don’t charge for it, and the charge is not much in some places. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning involved.

Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.

TIP! Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke.

You should be aware that early check-ins to hotels are not always possible. Plan to get there at the right time if you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels usually need to get the time to clean your room so it is ready for you check in. If you’re going to have to show up early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.

Review the pet policy at the hotel. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. If the hotel allows animals in any room, then you may want to book elsewhere if you have allergies.

TIP! Always review the policy of whether or not the hotel allows pets. When you are scared of animals or allergic, you won’t want to stay at pet-friendly hotels.

Never actually check out earlier than your scheduled departure date unless it’s an emergency. The hotel might charge you an early departure. If you check out too early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room.

The bedspread might not be the cleanest linen in the room. The blankets and sheets under the bedspread are typically washed between guests, however the top cover is not. This bedspread could be a source of germs. Pull it off for peace of mind.

TIP! You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not.

You know your rights in the event where a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. This means that you have to go somewhere else. If you do choose to move, you need to be booked at a comparable hotel or upgraded room for your troubles.

Don’t open that bottles water! You will likely be thirsty when you check in. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. You might be able to get bottled water in the hotel gym. A better option to simply bring your own bottled water.

TIP! Don’t drink the water! After you check-in you may feel tired and thirsty. This could tempt you to open the water that is in the mini-fridge or on the desk.

Don’t decide you need new linens as you are sitting in your room!

You can get lower hotel rates by booking during off season. Rooms typically cost the most during this time. Rather, you can better deals booking rooms on off-peak times when hotels are struggling to fill the building. You should get a much better price.

TIP! If you wish to get a low hotel rate, you shouldn’t book when the tourist season is at its peak. That’s when it costs the most.

You can save money by not booking a hotel room during tourist seasons. This is the time that hotel rates are highest. This will allow you a rate that’s a lot better.

You can always avoid paying an advertised price at any hotel. This price, or rack rate, is usually not the best price you can get. The hotel expects you to haggle. Give them a call and ask for a deal. Be brave. There also many websites that offer great discounts.

TIP! Don’t pay the price the hotels advertise. Savvy travelers never pay the “rack rate”.

If you need to book a room while driving, check rest areas, gas stations and tourist centers for complimentary tourists books which contain hotel prices, and great discounts. This way you’ll be able to call ahead and reserve the room instead of driving around looking for you.

If you are traveling due to a special occasion, be sure to let the hotel management know. They may give you a little perk for your birthday, anniversary or graduation. Sometimes, you will be presented with free champagne. Never lie, though!

TIP! Try to book hotels for special occasions. Some hotels may give you something special if your stay is for your birthday or anniversary.

Your hotel stay may become even more pleasant if you tip appropriately. For example, a tip is usually included in the room service bill, the bill for maid service doesn’t. Tipping ensures that you are well-liked and respected while staying at the hotel employees like you.

Check websites online like Travelocity or Expedia to figure out where to get great prices. These websites have deals that aren’t found anywhere else. At some sites you must bid. Others simply state the price.

TIP! If you search Travelocity or Expedia before you book your hotel room, you can find some inexpensive prices. Hotels offer these sites special discounts because of the high volume of rooms that are booked this way.

The information in this article should show you how you can find an outstanding hotel without needing to pay a lot. Over time, finding great hotel bargains will become faster and easier because you’ll know where exactly to look and what you’re looking for. Keep this information in mind during your search.

When making hotel reservations via a third-party site, watch out for surcharges and hidden fees. Frequently, the price that is displayed to you is not the net price. Take the time to read the fine print so you know what charges you will be charged when you book a hotel room.

TIP! Watch out for hidden fees if you are using a site other than that of the hotel’s to make your reservations. The prices the third-party advertises won’t often include the additional charges.