If you are going on a trip, you have to plan well before leaving. There’s plenty of packing to be done. Then you’ve got to put gas in the car or shop for plane tickets. However, you still need to get yourself a reservation at a hotel. To find out how to get the best rates for the best rooms, continue reading.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. That’s why it’s always your duty to search the web for better deals whenever you are booking a hotel room. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Is the room clean? Does everything work? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
Don’t think that all hotels will be pet friendly. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. This can add up on a long trip.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. In this way, you can simply suit up and enjoy your workout as usual while on the road. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you stay in a particular hotel chain, ask about their membership program. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
It may be wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. These hotel programs give you points for each stay. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This will allow you to get a great price on a hotel room. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. 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.
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. 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.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.
Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. This room is usually free from bugs. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.
Reviews whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you are afraid of pets or have allergies to them, you should probably avoid booking at pet friendly hotels. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. It might not cover deep cleaning.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you’re not a smoker, it may be wise to stay away from rooms that are for smoking. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. To avoid the experience of breathing in smoke during your stay, try to stay in a hotel that doesn’t allow smoking.
If you need an extra bed or crib, make sure you discuss this when making your reservation. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. Also, you may get charged extra for these types of things. Before making reservations, explain this.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. Many hotels set aside certain rooms or wings for smoking guests. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. 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.
Getting a relaxing and comfortable hotel room is an essential part of any trip. The right hotel makes your trip more pleasurable. Make sure to keep the advice here in mind when booking your next room.
In most cases, checking into a hotel room ahead of schedule isn’t possible. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room. Hotels need this time to clean and prepare your room. Having said that, don’t hesitate to ask the front desk about checking in if you do arrive early; however, you shouldn’t expect to be able to do this. The best thing you can do is arrive on time.
