Here Are Some Helpful Tips About Hotels

Do you want to be able to find a nice hotel without a lot of town hotel? The reason for that is because you will cover the basics of a hotel. Continue reading if you want to learn more.

It’s important to make sure that your valuables are safe during a hotel stay, so make use of 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.

TIP! Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. This safe will store your small important items, such as your iPad, iPod, GPS, jewelry, etc.

Find great hotel room prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP.

You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. You should look at the price, but you should also look at the location that is most convenient for what you want to do. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.

TIP! There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important.

You should put any expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.

Make use of online tools to find a hotel. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. 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. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.

TIP! You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly.

Use online hotel search tools online. You can use such websites that provide deals with ease and speed.

Be aware in advance of the check-in time. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.

TIP! Know when you are able to check in and get your room. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready.

Always check for online deals before booking a hotel room. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, RueLaLaTravel, or RueLaLaTravel.

If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. When you make a reservation you should see if you can stay near the back of the hallway to keep other guests away from your pets when they are making noises.

TIP! Taking a pet on a trip requires some extra responsibility. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets.

Check your room ahead of unpacking. Is it free of mildew and otherwise clean? Are all the towels in the room? If you spot any problems, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.

If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. This can add up in time!

TIP! AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts.

Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if you think you’ll be early.

Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.

TIP! 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! You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked.

Never make the assumption that all hotels are pet-friendly.

If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These programs give you points every time you stay there. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.

TIP! Join a frequent customer program if you stay at the same hotel chain a lot. These are similar to frequent flyer programs.

There are some things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a trip. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.

The time you book the room will change how much you’ll pay. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.

TIP! When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available.

If you belong to the AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You would be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts may be lurking. You can save more than five percent on hotels throughout the country. It’s a way to save money that really adds up over the nights.

Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Use your cell phone or the Internet. Skype connections are available in many hotels these days using Wi-Fi. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.

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

If you want to keep your regular running routine, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch.

If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. Bedbugs are rarely seen in this room. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.

TIP! The bathroom is the first place to go when checking for bed bugs in your hotel room. The bathroom is not a common place where bedbugs would be.

It is wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. They offer a variety of benefits to their hotel. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, late checkout time, and even free stays when you get enough points.

Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. You may rent a non-smoking room, however, the smoke from the smoking rooms can still be present in the air and make your clothes smell like it. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. Request a non-smoking room if you do not want to smell like cigarettes.

TIP! Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms.

Hotel Restaurants

You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you’re scared of pets or are allergic, you might want to stay away from pet-friendly hotels. The smells tend to stick around. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.

TIP! Reviews whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it would be best if you make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy.

If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, see about signing up for their frequent guest program. These hotel programs usually work by letting you rack up points. They can amount to show tickets, discounts at hotel restaurants, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.

If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. Not all hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.

TIP! If you require extra amenities like a roll away bed, you want to mention this while making your reservation. Some hotels do not provide these things, and the ones that do usually have limited quantities.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the room is the bargain, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. You will save more by asking about this beforehand.

If you book a room during a heavy occupancy period, don’t be surprised if you have a mandatory stay of a few days or more. If you do, you may be charged a fee for early departure. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.

TIP! Never actually check out before the departure date unless it’s an emergency. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure.

Join a membership program to get deals on your stays. These programs allow you to collect points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. The sheets and blankets underneath are usually washed between guests, but the top bedspread is usually not. This bedspread is where you would find the bacteria and germs. Pull it off for peace of mind.

TIP! If you are particular about cleanliness, you probably shouldn’t use the hotel bedspread. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed.

Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements while you travel. Parents with young children will probably like the car set offered in a lot of locations.

Try to get a hotel upgrade without spending any money. Show up at the exact time you’re scheduled for check in. If you arrive early or in a timely manner, your room may not be ready for you yet; however, this can mean a discount on your rate.

TIP! There are some good strategies for getting a free room upgrade. One savvy way to possibly get an upgrade is to show up at the check-in time you booked exactly on the minute.

Not all hotel will often have a very limited supply. Talk about these things when you make your room.

If you find yourself having to book a hotel while on the road, look at tourist centers, rest areas and gas stations for free tourist books that contain maps of hotels, prices and incredible discounts. This will save you time and money.

TIP! To find great deals on hotels while in transit, check out rest stop tourist booklets. This will give you an opportunity to book in advance and get a deal without visiting a hundred different hotels.

Never check out before the departure unless it’s an emergency. The hotel may charge a fee for early departure fee. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early.

The view from some hotel rooms is better than from others. So long as you won’t be charged extra, ask about getting a room with a nice view. Although a great view is not the most important thing when booking a hotel room, it can maximize your enjoyment. There is no harm in asking if a room with a better view is available.

TIP! Sometimes, certain hotel rooms have a better view than others. If rooms with good views do not cost more, try to get a room with a nice view.

Don’t take linens as you are sitting in your room!

Hotels may advertise one price but you can usually get a much lower price. Experienced travelers never actually pay the “rack rate”, or advertised rate. In truth, hotels typically expect road warriors to negotiate the price. Just call up the hotel and ask for the best deal you can manage. Make sure you’re bold. There also many websites that offer great discounts.

TIP! Don’t pay the price the hotels advertise. Referred to as the “rack rate,” travelers in the know do not pay that rate.

You can find reasonable upgrades without paying a dime. You have a better chance of this by going at the precise check-in time. Often your room has not yet been cleaned, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.

Let the hotel management know when you are there for a special occasion. Many hotels are happy to throw in a little extra if it’s your birthday or anniversary, but it all depends on who you talk to. You may be able to get something like free champagne. Avoid lying because it is bad karma!

TIP! Book hotel plans during special occasions. Hotels often provide perks if you let them know you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday.

Some hotel rooms offer a better views than others. If rooms with good views do not cost more, ask for one. A room with a view can take your stay more pleasant.It doesn’t hurt to ask the hotel for rooms that have better views available.

Check websites online like Travelocity or Expedia to figure out where to get great prices. Websites such as these sell so many hotel rooms that they receive big discounts that you cannot find elsewhere. Be aware that some require that you bid on a hotel room, and others may not provide you with the name of the hotel, only the price and the rating of the hotel until you buy.

TIP! To get great prices, use websites like Travelocity or Expedia. These websites have deals that aren’t found anywhere else.

Book hotel travel during special occasion. Hotels often provide perks if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or something similar. You might be able to wrangle a free champagne or something similar.

It is customary to tip the housekeeper when you leave a hotel. Be certain to tip the housekeeping staff even if you choose not to tip for other types of services. Unless you were very obsessively clean and made your own bed every day, please don’t forget to do this.

TIP! Tipping the housekeeper at a hotel is a routine practice. The maid should always be tipped, even if you tip no one else.

Check out online websites such as Expedia or Travelocity to help you find great prices. Some may require you to bid, while others may withhold the actual price until you commit to buy, so be aware of that.

If you use a third-party site to book your hotel, watch out for surcharges and hidden fees. Frequently, the price that is displayed to you is not the net price. Taking a close look at the fine print can help you be aware of these type of charges.

TIP! Watch out for extra charges when booking through a third-party website. Most quotes don’t reflect such charges.

You won’t know if you don’t ask so don’t be afraid to ask.

Some hotels use Photoshop to make their facility look better on brochures or the Internet. You may find, for example, that what looked like a big pool is actually a small one. Or, the neighborhood may look better than what it really is. Spend some time researching what the hotel really offers, so you aren’t disappointed when you get there.

TIP! Don’t trust edited brochures to adequately represent a hotel and its surrounding area. This may mean that the pool is smaller than it looks, the neighborhood is not really so nice and so on.

The quality might not stay consistent among different establishments in a chain. It is the best to check each hotel individually so that there are no surprises upon arrival.

TIP!

A lot of hotels will digitally manipulate their hotel brochures with Photoshop. Make sure you find some photos of the real environment where your hotel you’re considering staying at really looks like.

TIP!

After reading this article, you should be much better informed about what to look for in a hotel. Hotel reservations aren’t all that complicated once you master the knowledge of this article. Be patient and you’ll end up with a pleasant experience.

TIP!