It can seem like an overwhelming experience trying to book the right hotel room with all the choices available. So doing some research before doing anything else is important. Establish your price range, list the things that the hotel needs to have to accommodate you and start planning. Keep the following suggestions in mind on your way to having a great hotel stay.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
Check the organizations that you’re a member of. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They can provide you with an idea of the average rate charged by each hotel, so you will have a good idea as to whether or not the deal you are being offered is good. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Put your electronics into the room’s safe. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Are the facilities operating correctly? 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.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. People frequently forget these discounts are available, and they can be 10 percent or more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. This can rack up a free night over the entire course of a whole week.
To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Utilize the Internet when searching for a hotel. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. They can also show you what the hotel’s average rates typically are, allowing you to see whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is your room mold and mildew free? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Rooms are priced based on availability. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. In addition, you will need numerous plastic bags and cleaning supplies so that you can make sure you clean up any messes your pet makes. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
Loyalty Programs
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
It may be wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Use your cell phone or the Internet. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. 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.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. If you can, make your reservation no earlier than 24 hours before you arrive. This will get you a great price on your room. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. If you stay in a room that doesn’t allow smoking and the hotel staff discover evidence of you smoking in this room, then you could be charged a large penalty. Therefore, it is important that you always follow the hotel’s rules when it comes to smoking.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. Too avoid exposure to the smell of cigarette smoke, it may be best to stay at a non-smoking hotel.
Be aware that you can’t normally check-in early at your hotel. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Most hotels clean and prepare rooms at a certain time, so that they are ready for check-in. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but your request may not be granted.
As you can tell, you can ensure booking a good hotel room by following the correct tips. As you plan, keep these tips in mind. In the end, your reward will be a comfortable and affordable hotel room that you love.
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Most hotels only wash the sheets on the bed; however, the bedspread is normally not washed. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Just remove it from the bed.