What You Must Know About Choosing Your Hotel When Vacationing

Read on to find a good hotel.

To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.

TIP! Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates.

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

It’s important to make sure that your valuables are safe during a hotel stay, so make use of the room’s safe. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.

TIP! 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 place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.

Check in on the organizations you are a member with. Some of these organizations will offer discounts on hotels to their members. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.

TIP! When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration.

There are several things you should consider when choosing a hotel. Amenities like free WiFi, on-site restaurant, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Try locating a tip that offers as much of your wish list as possible.

Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. Being able to comparison shop helps you find the best value, while getting the amenities that are important to you. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

TIP! Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These websites can help you quickly find the best value.

Search for the best deals online. This is why it’s up to you should look for these discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, or RueLaLaTravel.

Check online for great hotel deals. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. So, it’s up personally to you to go searching for such discounts. Look at Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel or similar websites for discounts.

TIP! Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. The reservation clerk won’t offer these details to you over the phone.

Plan your trip in advance as you can to ensure best rates. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a month or two ahead of time. You might even be able to save up to fifty percent off at some very exclusive hotels.

In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.

TIP! Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance.

There are three different things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Be sure that the hotel will be friendly to pets.Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.

Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.

TIP! If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify.

Book your appointment as early as possible. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.

If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. In addition, you will need numerous plastic bags and cleaning supplies so that you can make sure you clean up any messes your pet makes. And, ask if your room can away from guests.

TIP! If you’d like to bring Fido on your next trip, you must make some advance plans. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets.

If you’re a member of the AAA, look into hotel discounts included. You would be surprised where hidden discounts on hotels. You can save 5 percent at certain hotels throughout the US. This is a savings that can really add up when you are staying for many nights.

If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name. This means that if you book early, you’ll have a better experience.

TIP! Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.

If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These programs give you rack up points. You can accumulate points that you can redeem for free hotel stays, show tickets, and all types of entertainment.

If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. They provide you with points for every stay. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.

TIP! If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs, hotels have programs that add points on to your account each time you stay with them.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your overall savings.

If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Some new buildings are certified as green. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.

TIP! Try out a green vacation. There are many hotels that feature green amenities.

Join the hotel’s membership program if you frequently stay there on your stays.These programs allow you to collect points that can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you make your reservation. Rooms are often priced in accordance with availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. You may find the best prices this way. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.

TIP! The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms prices are based on their availability.

Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements when traveling. Parents of younger children will appreciate the complimentary car set offered in many locations.

If you wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.

TIP! If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.

It is extremely frustrating for you and your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to discover that there are none.

When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.

TIP! 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. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.

Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs in a hotel. This is where you won’t see any. It is usually a good place for pets or children to sit for a moment too.

Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. To be sure you don’t absorb cigarette smoke, think about staying at a nonsmoking hotel.

TIP! Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms.

Check if a hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you don’t smoke, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.

If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.

TIP! Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke.

Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke cigarettes.Many have rooms designated for smokers. Ask to see if you are a smoker. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so be sure to adhere to the hotel’s rules with regard to smoking.

You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. If you arrive earlier than your check-in time, you can always ask the front desk and see if they can let you in.

TIP! Know that you may not be able to check-in early at some hotels. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby.

You should be aware that early check-in at a hotel. Plan your time accordingly unless you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels need to get the room cleaned and prepare your room. If you do happen to arrive early, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but don’t necessarily expect it.

If you have to get a rollaway or a crib, you need to let them know when you’re making the reservation. Some hotels don’t provide these things, and the ones that do usually have a limited amount. Sometimes, there are also extra charges for items like these. Talk about these issues as you reserve your room.

TIP! If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Not every hotel will carry them, and the ones that do may not have enough to go around.

Not every hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Talk about these issues as you make your reservations.

Whenever possible, do not check out prior to the scheduled date of your departure. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. Whenever you reserve a room, it isn’t available to anyone else and the hotel will lose money if you cancel. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.

TIP! Don’t check out early, if possible. Some hotels charge early departure fees.

Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. This can mean that the bacteria and germs. Just remove the bed.

The bedspread might not be the cleanest linen in the room. Your sheets should be fresh and clean but the bedspread is not washed after each guest. It may be a carrier of bacteria and germs. Simply remove it from your bed.

TIP! For hygienic reasons, it might be best to avoid the provided bedspread in your room. The top bedspread usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath.

Do not drink the bottled water!You are very likely to be tired and thirsty upon arrival. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water calling to you from the mini-fridge. Hotels know this and will charge you a hefty fee for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Sometimes you can get bottled water at no cost in the hotel gym. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottled water.

Don’t give into the temptation to take hotel linens home. As much as you may like the towels, washcloths or pillows, housekeeping is likely to notice any missing items, and the hotel may send you a bill for them. If you like them that much, check out the gift shop for new ones.

TIP! Don’t take any of the linens. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items.

Try getting an upgrade without spending any money. You can do this by checking in exactly at the time when you are supposed to check in. If your room isn’t clean yet, you may be offered a better room at no additional charge.

Tipping the staff will ensure that you have a much better time at your hotel. For example, fees for room service often include the tip with the bill, however maid service does not. Giving the hotel staff tips makes sure that you’re in great hands and always comfortable.

TIP! Always remember to tip. While some services, such as room service, are included in the bill, maid services deserve a tip outside of the bill.

Most people don’t do their research on finding hotels and choose the first hotel that they see. This approach is gambling, and can hurt you. Use the advice you’ve just been given, and enjoy your stay.

Book hotel plans during special occasions. You could get a perk because of the event in question. You could even talk them into some free champagne for the night! However, do not lie just to receive special treatment.

TIP! Let the hotel know that you are booking for a special occasion. Hotels often provide some complimentary gifts if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or something similar.