Learn The Advice The Experts Know About Hotels

There is so much to do as you plan to go away. There is packing to do, tickets to buy, and a car to fill with gas. Of course, you can’t forget hotel reservations. The following article offers many great tips to make your hotel stay pleasant.

Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. 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 booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. This will give you valuable information about the recent experiences of people at each hotel.

Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.

To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. It may cost more, but it’s convenient when you don’t feel like leaving.

TIP! To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.

Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.

Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. You can put just about anything in there, as long as it isn’t too big, and you won’t have to worry about it.

TIP! Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.

Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.

Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.

TIP! Take advantage of search tools online. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals.

Check your room when you arrive. Is the room clean? Does everything work? Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.

Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. You have to look for the discounts. There are many travel websites that offer discounts.

TIP! Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel room during your next trip. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead.

Be aware of when you can check into your room. Many people forget the time, then they show up early and the room isn’t ready yet. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.

Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Are the facilities operating correctly? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.

TIP! Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room.

To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.

Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. 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. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.

TIP! Know when check-in time is. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet.

Think about these three things if you plan to bring a pet with you during your hotel stay. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Also, bring a lot of plastic sacks like ones from the grocery store so you can get your pet’s messes cleaned up. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.

If you and a loved one are wanting to go to a hotel and get massages, it is important that you book the appointment way in advance. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.

TIP! If you want a couples massage, book early. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.

Book any massage appointments you make early. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.

If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. This can add up in time!

TIP! Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You can save five percent or more on certain hotels.

Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.

If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.

TIP! To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning.

Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. There are many benefits you may be able to get. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.

It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. A loyalty program offers many benefits. These programs can assure you niceties such as the best prices, room upgrades, and special perks such as free meals or late checkouts.

TIP! If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain.

If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.

To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. In many situations in which the room’s price is a great deal, the undisclosed price of your transfer can frequently eat up the savings. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.

TIP! Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high.

The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. In this way, you will get good rates. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.

Get a AAA membership to facilitate the process of booking a hotel when you travel. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. Some places provide free car seats too.

TIP! You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability.

When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.

Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.

TIP! Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you do not smoke, you might not want to go to a hotel with smoking rooms.

Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. Even if you book a non-smoking room, smoke can enter your room through air vents. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. Instead of choosing a non-smoking room, you can actually find an entire non-smoking hotel if you really want to avoid nasty, secondhand smoke.

You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room. 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 do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.

TIP! You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours.

If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.

If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. That means it could harbor contaminants you don’t want to be in contact with. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.

TIP! If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be.

Getting a relaxing and comfortable hotel room is an essential part of any trip. Whether you are going on a family vacation with the kids, or traveling on business, the right hotel can make your trip more successful. Use this knowledge to book your next room right.

If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. Hotels will overbook, leaving you without a room. In this case the hotel has to send you to a different hotel. If you do choose to move, be sure that you get a better room and your travel is paid for.

TIP! Be aware of your rights in the event that a hotel attempts to “walk” you. If your hotel overbooks, your room may not be available when you get there.