Do you hate the thought of having to book a hotel room when going on vacation? The market features a lot of choices, so how do you go about choosing the right one? Try to stay calm. The following article will offer suggestions how to find the perfect hotel for your adventures.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
Consider your organizational memberships. Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. It can add up to almost a free hotel night!
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Putting these items in the safe ensures that you can go out and have fun, not worrying about what you’ve left in the room.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Are there enough linens and towels? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. So decide on the amenities that mean the most to you and start looking.
Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. Therefore, make sure you call the hotel staff to confirm that they will allow pets. Even if they have a website that states pets are allowed, you should still call to confirm this. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.
Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. The reservation clerk won’t offer these details to you over the phone. It’s your job to find them yourself. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Spending time on the road with your own two feet will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
Timing matters when booking a hotel room. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. 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 you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They have benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age. Some hotels are certified to be green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Make use of the Internet, instead. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. 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.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you’re terrified pets or are allergic to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
Moking Rooms
Never actually check out before the departure date unless it’s an emergency. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. The room is not marketed by the hotel and you will have to make up that lost revenue. You may end paying for a day you don’t use the room. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you may want to find a different hotel. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
Do not drink the bottled water in your room. After checking into your room you will probably feel exhausted and thirsty. Opening the bottle in the mini-fridge is tempting. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. A number hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. An even better option is to pack your own bottled water for when you arrive.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
Don’t steal the linens from the hotel. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them. If you like the linens so much, you should ask about purchasing them.
After going through this article, it shouldn’t be hard for you to get a hotel for a great price. By researching in advance, you have time to check out all your options. After gathering all the information you will be ready to choose the best accommodations.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Check travel websites to see if you qualify for these savings. You can make the most of this deal by comparing rates across several websites.
