It takes work to plan a vacation. You need to choose where to go and then make arrangements for transportation and hotel reservations. Making the wrong decision can ruin the trip. Read this article to learn how to book your hotel the right way.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
Room service is one of the best parts about a hotel. How else could you possibly enjoy a midnight snack without leaving your bed? Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is the room clean? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Are there enough linens and towels? 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.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Does the plumbing work right? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the dates on which you plan to stay there. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. Book your room more the day before you need it if you can. Doing so will ensure you get the best possible price on a hotel room. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some hotels are certified to be green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.
To make reserving a hotel easy, use AAA. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. In addition, parents may enjoy the benefit of having free car seats provided.
Membership Program
Be careful not to make long distance phone calls on the hotel phone. Use the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It can be a temporary haven for children and pets.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. You may find that a smoker has been in your non-smoking room before you and ignored the rules. By choosing a hotel that does not allow smoking, you can completely avoid the smell of cigarettes.
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re not a smoker, it may be wise to stay away from rooms that are for smoking. 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. Think about staying at a hotel that is totally nonsmoking if you don’t want to stink when you check out.
You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. If you happen to show up early just ask if your room was prepared early, but they’re most likely going to say no.
If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. Ask to see if any of these are available. Don’t smoke in a nonsmoking room, or you may be charged by the hotel for doing so.
If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. The top bedspread usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. That can mean it is full of germs, bacteria or who knows what else. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.
Don’t let a bad hotel choice ruin your hopes for an amazing vacation. Do your homework and make plans appropriately. The better informed you are, the better choices you’ll make. It’s important so that you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Remember the tips here next time you plan for a vacation.
When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! Sometimes a hotel will overbook and you will find the room you booked is not available. This is known as “walking” a customer. 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.