You don’t want to feel as though the hotel got one over on you. From being overcharged to ending up in a rat infested room, this can make your trip horrendous. If you wan to make sure you have an enjoyable stay, and thus an enjoyable vacation, then pay serious attention to the advice below.
Check for online reviews before making any reservations. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. 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.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Put a call into the front desk just to be sure, no matter what it says on their website. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Find out if the hotel allows pets. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. When making your reservation, ask for a room at the end of the hall to spare other guests your pet noise.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Look at Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel or similar websites for discounts.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. This can add up in time!
Know when check-in time is. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Hotels price rooms based on availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t earn the hotel money, so they’re happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.
The bathroom is the first place to go when checking for bed bugs in your hotel room. This is where you won’t find them. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. Have kids and/or pets wait for you in the bathroom while you look around.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. Rooms are priced based on availability. If you can, don’t make your reservation more than one day prior to your stay. This will get you a great price on your room. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. Make sure you understand that you might be charged for an early departure.
Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. The top bedspread usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. This bedspread is where you would find the bacteria and germs. Just make sure you remove the bedspread.
If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
You have rights in the event where a hotel needs to “walk” you. When hotels overbook rooms, the one you reserved may not be available. They might try and send you to a different hotel. If you cannot avoid this situation, you need to be booked at a comparable hotel or upgraded room for your troubles.
Moking Rooms
Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. You may be thirsty and tired when you arrive. It is tempting to simply grab that refreshing bottle of water conveniently available in the mini-fridge. Hotels are aware of this; therefore, their bottled water prices are very expensive. Sometimes the gym at the hotel will provide free bottled water. However, to be safe, you should pack some water bottles yourself.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you do not smoke, you might not want to go to a hotel with smoking rooms. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
Don’t think that you should steal the hotel’s property. Housekeeping will notice items are missing and you could get a bill. If you like the linens so much, you should ask about purchasing them.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. Because odors have a tendency to linger on fabrics and rugs, the hotel may have an odor about it. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel together. Many travel websites offer significant saving for those who book a hotel and either a flight or rental car from them. To get a lot from this kind of service, check a number of different rates on the various airlines and hotels.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan to get there at the right time if you don’t want to wait. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.
In order to pay the lowest rate possible, don’t travel during the peak season. These times feature the highest rates. Instead, book your room in the off-peak time of year, when hotels are desperate to fill their rooms. This will give you a better chance of actually getting a discounted rate.
Let the hotel know if you will be needing a crib or a rollaway bed. Some hotels may not have one, so you want to know this upfront. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Talk about these issues as you reserve your room.
Tipping hotel staff can ensure you have a more pleasant stay. For instance, a tip is usually included in the room service bill, but you must tip the maid yourself. People will respect you and treat you better if you tip them.
Use these tips to make your hotel stay great. By knowing what to look out for and how to spot a great deal, you will have a better experience. When you stop at your hotel while on the road, you should be able to relax rather than be stressed and uncomfortable.
Don’t pay the rate advertised. This is known as the rack rate which is something travelers that go out often don’t pay. Actually, hotels expect to dicker over the prices they charge. Give them a call and ask for a deal. Don’t be afraid to be bold. A number of travel websites provide deep discounts.
