Hotels vary from the luxurious resorts to shabby motels that are downright scary. A great trip starts with a great hotel room. Read on for help in finding a great hotel.
Check for online reviews before making any reservations. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Check with any membership programs for deals. Some organizations will receive discounts for different reasons from different hotels. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. You should look at the price, but you should also look at the location that is most convenient for what you want to do. Amenities, such as a gym, room service, or free Wi-Fi, might be of importance to you. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
Search for the best deals in hotels online before making reservations. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. You have to look for the discounts. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Know when check-in time is. 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. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. 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.
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
Know your check-in time in advance. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
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. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. 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.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs, hotels have programs that add points on to your account each time you stay with them. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.
How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. Rooms are typically priced according to availability. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. If the hotel never rents the room they’ll get zero dollars for it, so most of the time they will give you a steep discount on it.
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms are priced based on availability. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. This is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
Membership Programs
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the last room they are likely to be. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. Have kids and/or pets wait for you in the bathroom while you look around.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. Think about staying at a hotel that is totally nonsmoking if you don’t want to stink when you check out.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
Always find out the pet policy at any hotel you stay at. If you dislike or have allergies to pets, steer clear of hotels that allow pets. Not to mention, you’ll definitely notice unwanted smells in the floor or in the linens if you don’t own a pet yourself. Some hotels are pet-friendly and don’t charge for it, while other hotels will add a hefty fee for keeping a pet. Depending on what the hotel is like, you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee.
People are often stuck with a less than ideal hotel because they did not do their research first. However, this haphazard way of booking can result in an unpleasant experience. Staying in a grimy hotel is not desirable for anyone. In order to avoid this situation, put the above tips to use.
It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to check in. If you can’t avoid being early, ask the front desk to make an exception, but be prepared if they can’t accommodate you.