You will need to book a hotel during your life. Whether you need the room for business or pleasure, it’s important to understand how to book a hotel. The following tips for booking a room and enjoying your stay.
Check for online reviews before making any reservations. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Consider ordering room service when the urge strikes for a special someone. While it may cost a little extra, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. It may cost more, but it’s convenient when you don’t feel like leaving.
You can stash your expensive items in the hotel safe.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. You can put just about anything in there, as long as it isn’t too big, and you won’t have to worry about it.
Plan your trip in advance as you can to ensure best rates. Many hotels offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a few months in advance. You might even be able to save 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Some may offer discounts on hotels. Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park.
When booking a hotel, you need to establish what you need and what you would ideally like from your stay. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, free local calls, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
It may be wise to join a hotel loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer.They provide benefits to people that stay in the same hotel chain. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, or other great perks.
Take advantage of search tools online. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
The timing of your hotel room booking often determines the dates on which you plan to stay there. Rooms are priced according to availability. This will allow you a great price on your room.
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. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
Join a loyalty program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points that can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Get a AAA membership for hotel when you travel. Parents of small children will probably like the complimentary car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
It is extremely frustrating when you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to discover that there are none.
If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. A loyalty program offers many benefits. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
Start by inspecting the bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the place where you are least likely to find bedbugs. It is usually a good place for young children to sit for a couple minutes as well.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Some hotels are certified to be green. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
Check to see if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
Find out how the policy on pets is. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and bed linens. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee may cover the cost of the extra cleaning needed to completely remove the odors.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.
Be aware that it is normally check-in early at your hotel. Plan to get there at the right or you don’t want to wait. Hotels need to get a room so it is ready for you get to check into it. If you do get to the hotel early, ask the desk clerk if it’s possible to check in early, but don’t necessarily expect it.
If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Never check out before the departure date unless it’s an emergency. The hotel may charge a fee for your early departure. If you check out too early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you’re scared of pets or are allergic, you might want to stay away from pet-friendly hotels. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. The fee may cover the cleaning, and it may not.
Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed like the linens are. It may be a lot of invisible germs and other things you want to avoid. Just make sure you remove the bed.
Be aware that you can’t normally check-in early at your hotel. If you are going to arrive early, plan on doing something to fill your time. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but this should not be expected.
You have rights if a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. The hotel will attempt to foist you to another hotel. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, make sure you get a comparable or better room and the travel to there paid for.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. You may be charged a fee if you do. When you reserve a room, the management of the hotel removes that room from the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses some money. That is why you are charged a fee.
Don’t open the water! You may be very likely to be tired and thirsty when finally arriving to a hotel. You may decide to reach for that bottled water beckoning on the mini fridge. Hotels take advantage of this and will charge you a hefty fee for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Check the gym instead; they offer it for free. A better option to simply bring a few of your own bottled water.
Know what the hotel’s policy is for overbooking. There may be times when a hotel overbooks, leaving with no room. In these situations, the hotel may try to book you at another hotel, or “walk” you. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
Don’t take hotel linens home.
Resist the temptation to indulge in your hotel’s bottled water! After checking in you may be thirsty and tired. The mini fridge is calling your name. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. You may find free bottled water in the hotel gym. The best idea, however, is to bring your own.
You can get a decent room rate if you don’t book during peak tourist seasons. This is the time for rates. You will have a better chance of getting a fantastic rate.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Many times, travel websites offer discounts for booking the hotel, flight and rental car at the same time. In order to make sure you’re getting the best deal, make sure you do a few comparisons.
Everyone stays in a hotel at some point or another. No matter what your reasoning for needing to stay in one, it’s crucial to do your homework first. The information from this article has shown you how to book a hotel and enjoy your stay.
In order to pay the lowest rate possible, don’t travel during the peak season. Hotel rates are very high during tourist season. Instead, book your room in the off-peak time of year, when hotels are desperate to fill their rooms. You are more likely to find a great rate.