You are going to need to book a hotel during your life. Whether you need the room for business or pleasure, you must know what you are doing when it comes to selecting a hotel. Here is some advice that can help you with this quite a bit.
There are plenty of websites that offer reviews for local hotels, for example TripAdvisor. Use these websites to review a hotel before you make the actual reservation. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotel rooms using online and check out some of the travel sites. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You might also have other discounts through AAA or AARP.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Check online for the best deals before you book a hotel deals. This is why it’s up to you to search for these hidden discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, or RueLaLaTravel.
When thinking about selecting a hotel, there are quite a few salient points to consider. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Check your hotel room when you arrive. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold and mildew? Are all the towels in ample supply?If there are any obvious problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
Plan your trip as far in advance for the best rates. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book a month or two ahead of time. You might even be able to save 50 percent or more.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will accept pets.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.
Book your appointment as early as possible. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.
Choose a green vacation if you care for the environment. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
If you have a AAA membership, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You would be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts may be lurking. You can save up to an additional five percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. This can add up over several nights.
Timing matters when booking a hotel room. Rooms are priced based on availability. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. This is the best way to get the best prices. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
If you are worried about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. The number of “green” hotels you can select from. Some of the newer hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Talk with a travel agent in order to find green hotels for your needs.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Instead, use the Internet. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. Take advantage of these options to keep in touch with family, friends and coworkers rather than incurring high costs by using the hotel’s phone system.
The timing for any give hotel room is determined by when you book it. Rooms in hotels are typically priced based on their availability. This will get you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms.
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. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.
Join the hotel’s membership program to get deals on business trips. These points that can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. Many have designated rooms for smokers. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. 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.
Try not to make long distance calling in hotel rooms. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This saves you a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
When reserving your room, be sure to ask for a roll-away bed or crib if you will be in need of these extra sleeping accommodations. Most hotels will supply these items on request, but they do have a limited supply. On occasion, these services may require an additional charge. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.
It is extremely frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to discover that there are none.
Try to avoid checking out of the hotel ahead of your scheduled checkout time. If you do, you may be charged a fee for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. As a result, hotels will attempt to regain some of this lost revenue by charging you a fee for leaving early.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke cigarettes.Many hotels have rooms for smokers. Ask to see if you are a smoker. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, they may charge you a fine.
Know what the industry term “walk” means when booking a room. Sometimes a hotel will overbook and you will find the room you booked is not available. In this case the hotel has to send you to a different hotel. This should only be a last resort and the other accommodations should be just as good or better and your trip there should be paid for as well.
Never actually check out before the departure unless it’s an emergency. The hotel may charge a fee for early departure fee. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, if you depart early they will lose money.
Stay away from the bottled water! After you check-in you may feel tired and thirsty. As a result, that bottle of water on the little fridge may look very good to you. Hotels are well aware of this and will charge you a hefty fee for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Sometimes the gym at the hotel will provide free bottled water. Or, to be sure you save money, you can just pack a few water bottles from home.
Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread usually isn’t washed between bookings. It may be a carrier of bacteria and other things you want to avoid. Just get that blanket off the bed.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. Even though you might like the pillows, washcloths, or towels, the housekeeping staff will probably figure out you left with something and they might charge you. However, you can ask the hotel if you can buy the linen from them directly for a much better price.
Do not open the bottled water in your room. You may be thirsty when you check in. The bottled water inside the mini fridge is calling your name. Hotels take advantage of this and will charge you a hefty fee for bottled water. Check the gym and see if they offer it for free. A better option to simply bring your own bottles.
It is possible to save money on travel by getting a package deal on your flight and hotel. Travel booking sites often provide significant discounts for combining your room and flight and perhaps even a rental car. Always compare the prices from multiple hotels to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
You can often save money if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. A lot of travel websites provide significant savings for anyone who bundles things together.
If you want a lower rate for your hotel, avoid booking during the peak tourist season. Rates are at their peak then. Find out when the off-season is because this is the time that rates are lower during low-occupancy times. You’re going to have a much higher chance of scoring a deal.
As you have seen from this article, a lot of people need to stay in hotels. The most important thing is that you learn all you can first. Follow the advice presented here to get great value in hotel accommodations.
If you want an upgrade, try to get one for free. You can do this by going at the precise check-in time. Many times the room you booked will not be clean yet, so they may offer you a better room for no additional charge.
