You certainly want to feel cheated by the hotel you are staying at.A horrible hotel experience, whether because of the price or the actual hotel, can ruin the entire trip for everyone involved. The following information will help you bypass some of the most common pitfalls with hotels so that your stay is a great one.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. Other customers can give you some valuable insight and help you choose the right place to stay.
Check online reviews before making any reservations. These sites will allow you a customer’s perspective of the hotels you are considering. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you make a wise decision.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Use websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA and 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. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Check with the organizations that you’re a member of. Many of them offer hotel prices. These discounts are often neglected; however, and they can provide significant savings. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!
To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
There are several things to think about when booking a hotel. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your desired amenities as is realistic.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough of the right linens? Any problems that you notice should be reported to front desk staff right away. That way, they can be rectified or you can change rooms.
Inspect the room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean and free from mildew and mold? Are all the towels in ample supply?If any issues are immediately prevalent, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
Be aware in advance of the check-in time. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.
Know the check-in time. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. Most hotels have serious discounts for early booking customers. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
If you belong to the AAA, look into hotel discounts included. You might be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You may be able to save upwards of five percent on hotels nationwide. This really adds up over several nights.
Be sure and take care of three important things before bringing a pet on your trip to any hotel. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. For easy cleanup, make sure that you have brought along an adequate number of plastic bags. Be kind to other hotel guests by requesting a room that is as far away from other guests as possible, so they won’t be disturbed by any noise your pet may make.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
Green Hotels
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
If you are concerned about the environment, you can chose a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels is steadily growing. Some newer hotels have been built green and are built in a way that they get certified as green. Some older inns just select one or more eco-friendly strategies to show they care. Talk to a travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. 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.
The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the price you pay. Rooms are based on their availability. This will net you the best price on a hotel room.
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. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. You will save by simply finding this information out in advance.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
It can prove rather frustrating for you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to find out it’s closed.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you dislike or are allergic to pets, you should avoid hotels allowing them. The smells tend to stick around. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning needed to completely remove the odors.
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs in a hotel. This is the place least likely to be. It is a good place for young children to sit for a couple minutes as well.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. If you can’t avoid being early, ask the front desk to make an exception, but be prepared if they can’t accommodate you.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy is if you smoke. Many hotels have designated rooms set aside for smokers. Ask to see if you are a smoker. If you don’t, they may charge you a fine.
If you need a crib, ask for it as you reserve the room. They may not have any available. There also may be an added charge for these things. Make your needs known at the time you place your reservation so that you do not have any unpleasant surprises.
Be aware of your rights in case a hotel attempts to “walk” you. The hotel will attempt to foist you to another hotel. Avoid having this happen if you can, but if you’re going to a different hotel, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
You may wish to use a different blanket than the comforter that is in your hotel room. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. This might mean the bedspread is carrying bacteria, germs, or bedbugs. Just make sure you remove the bedspread.
You can get some money saved if you book your flight and hotel at the same time. Travel websites offer big savings when you book more than one service at the same time.
When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! This refers to hotels overbooking their hotel rooms; therefore, the hotel room that you booked may not be available when you check in. In these situations, the hotel may try to book you at another hotel, or “walk” you. You should try to avoid this; however, if this is necessary, ensure you are provided with the same quality room or better at the same price you would have paid.
You can get lower hotel rates when you don’t book during off season. This is the time for rates. You are more likely to find a good rate.
Remember that booking both your flight and hotel can often save you money. It is not unusual for travel websites to provide large savings when a hotel is booked along with a rental car or a flight. You can make the most of this deal by comparing rates across several websites.
Try to get a hotel upgrade without paying for it.You have a better chance of this by going at the time when you are supposed to check in. If your room isn’t clean yet, you may be offered a better room at no additional charge.
Don’t book your trip during peak season if you are looking to get a good price. Hotels usually know in advance when they expect high occupancy due to the season or events in town so they can help you choose a time when rates and occupancy are lowest. If you can, try to reserve rooms during the low season. This is when the hotels are anxious to fill their rooms. You chance of getting a discount is much greater.
Tourist Centers
If you want an upgrade, try to get one for free. The best way you can do this is to show up at the hotel exactly at your scheduled check in time. Most of the time, the room you reserved won’t have been cleaned yet, so the hotel may provide you with a quick upgrade.
If you need to book a room while driving, look at tourist centers, tourist centers and gas stations to find tourist books with maps of hotel locations, prices and discount offers. This will give you time and money.
Tipping for maid service and room service can improve the quality of your trip. Don’t tip room service as it’s already in the cost, but do tip your maid. Tipping guarantees that you’re respected and well liked during your hotel stay.
Tipping when appropriate will make your hotel stay more pleasant stay. For instance, room service usually includes the tip; however, but the maid service won’t be. Tipping when you should will ensure that you’re respected and well liked during your hotel stay.
Check out online sites like Expedia to find good deals. Both of these websites book large quantities of hotel rooms. This allows them to have cheaper rates than the competition. Some sites need you to bid on a room, while others may withhold the actual price until you commit to buy, so watch out for that.
Use special occasions to book a hotel room. You could get a special time.They may offer you a gift such as free champagne.
Hotel chains may have inconsistent quality in each establishment. You might like a hotel from a chain located in one city but not find the same experience in the next city. You should always look into each hotel so you can avoid any surprises when you’re checking in.
Check online sites like Expedia to find good deals. You may have to bid on the price, and some may just provide you with a star rating and price without giving you the name of the hotel.
Some hotel websites or brochures take advantage of Photoshop to give themselves a better image. For example, they can make a swimming pool look larger or brush out unattractive aspects around the hotel. So, there’s on need to rush. Become familiar with the ins and outs of the motel that you want to book.
Be sure to allow the advice you read to direct you as you choose your next hotel stay. By being informed on how hotels operate, then you are much more likely to enjoy an incredible hotel experience. When you are traveling, a hotel should be a restful place, not a source of unhappiness.
