Learn Some Hotel Secrets You May Not Know About

There will come a time in life when you need to stay at a hotel. Whether you need the room for business or pleasure, you should have a working understanding of how to book the right room for your situation. This article has advice that can help.

Check online reviews before booking a room. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.

TIP! Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers.

Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.

Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.

TIP! Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.

Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. It can add up to almost a free hotel night!

A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.

TIP! Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination.

When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Of course you want to consider price, but you should also consider the hotel’s location. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.

Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.

TIP! Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online.

When can you check in? Many people show up before check-in time only to find out their room isn’t ready. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.

Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is it tidy and sanitary? Does the plumbing work right? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.

TIP! Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? 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.

There are three things to do ahead of time if you want to bring your pet to a hotel with you. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.

To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.

TIP! For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance.

For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.

Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.

TIP! Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online.

Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.

If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.

TIP! If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from.

Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.

Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.

TIP! Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfers when booking a room. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal.

How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. Hotels price rooms based on availability. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. This can net you a great deal. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.

If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.

TIP! To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.

To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.

Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. Members of AAA get discounts at lots of hotel chains which more than makes up the membership to AAA, plus it is easier to rent a car anywhere you go. Parents with young children will appreciate the complimentary car set offered in some locations.

TIP! Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. Not only will AAA members receive discounts for a lot of hotel chains that make it worth getting into, you may also find rental cars more easily than those without the membership.

Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.

Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This is much cheaper than paying for a bunch of long distance calls from your hotel room.

TIP! Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead.

Everyone stays in a hotel at some point or another. Before you make your reservation, you need to do some research first. Hopefully, you now see why that is true.

Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.

TIP! When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. This room is usually free from bugs.