You should take the time to learn as much as you can about reserving a hotel room. If you do it wrong, it can cost you money or create an unneeded headache. This article offers many tips to help ensure you make the right decision when booking a hotel. That’s why you should read along!
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. 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.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. People frequently forget these discounts are available, and they can be 10 percent or more. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
When booking a hotel, you need to establish what you need and what you would ideally like from your stay. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. Find a hotel room that includes all of the features that you demand. There’s sure to be one out there.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it without mildew and mold? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If you have any problem with the room, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Know your check-in time in advance. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.
Ask the hotel about their check-in time.. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.
Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Confirm that pets are allowed in the room you are staying. You should bring some plastic bags and cleaning supplies to keep the room clean behind your pet. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. These programs give you points every time you stay there. 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.
To ensure that you and your special someone get the right couples massage during your stay, book your appointment as early ahead of time as you can. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Newer hotels are sometimes built according to green standards. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Ask your travel agent to help you identify environmentally friendly hotels.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. 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.
People who care about the environment may be more comfortable staying in a hotel that is eco-friendly. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
Check in the bathroom first for bed bugs. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Rooms prices are based on their 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 is the best way to get the best prices. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. Ask to see if any of these are available. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
Transfer Costs
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels which do not have a pet-friendly policy. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Checking in early may not be available. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. Hotels have to make sure their rooms are ready for you. You can request an early check-in ahead of time, but it may cost more.
By now, you’ve learned how to scout quality hotels. If you want to be sure you got it all, read this article again. You will be confident in booking a hotel anywhere you decide to go.
Always let the hotel know if you need a crib for your stay at the hotel. These items are not available at all hotels. When they are available, they are often in limited supply. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Make sure these needs are discussed during the initial reservation so you don’t get any surprises.
