Having the right hotel room can make or break your stay. Hotels are not cheap, so you should know how to select the right one when you want to book one. Read these tips to learn how to shop like the best travelers do.
You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. 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.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. What people say about a hotel can help you figure out where you should be staying.
Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel room during your next trip. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. 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.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.
If you belong to any organizations, check with them for travel deals. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates. These discounts are often forgotten about, and they can provide significant savings. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Book massages as early as possible. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name. Therefore, by planning in advance, you can ensure you have the best possible experience during your massage.
Look for deals online. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. This can add up on a long trip.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs. They allow you to accrue points during your hotel stay. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
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! Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Join a loyalty program to get deals on your stays. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Remember that hotel chains often provide loyalty programs offering excellent discounts. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. You can accumulate points that you can redeem for free hotel stays, discounts at restaurants, and all types of entertainment.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Look to the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Call ahead of arrival to see if the pool is open to keep the family happy. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
By just doing some research and preparing for it, you can find a great deal on a nice hotel. You just need the right information. Keep these tricks and tips in mind and a great hotel is going to be in your future.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.
