You will no doubt be booking hotel from time to time for various reasons. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you must know what you are doing when it comes to selecting a hotel. Here are some tips that can help you.
Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
Check for online reviews before booking a room. These provide you some information from people that have stayed at each hotel. What others say will help you in coming to the right decision.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.
Use websites like Orbitz or Expedia for great deal. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also have other discounts through AAA or AARP.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Some offer big discounts on hotel rooms. It is easy to forget about the discounts. This can help you to save some cash, especially if you’re going to be staying for a few nights. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Consider ordering room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your stay. This service comes at a premium, but the convenience it provides is worth it.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. Amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, free local calls or breakfast, and other amenities may be things that you prefer. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Inspect your room before unpacking.Is the room mildew-free and mold? Are you given the linens and towels in ample supply? If you notice a problem, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. 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.
Plan your trip in advance as you can to ensure best rates. Many locations offer the best discounts if you are willing to book more than a few months in advance. You might even be able to save up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
Look for deals online. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
There are some things you have to do before taking your pet on a pet. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.
If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, look into their frequent stay membership programs. These programs give you rack up points. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Go for a jog every morning. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.
The cost of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Rooms prices are often priced based on their availability. This gives you the very best prices in reserving hotel rates.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If you are getting a very low price on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your overall savings.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Some of the newer hotels were built with green standards in mind. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Ask your travel agent to help you identify environmentally friendly hotels.
Join a loyalty program to get deals on business trips. These points can be applied toward further travels.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Availability sets pricing. If possible, don’t make your reservation more than a day in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. If the hotel never rents the room they’ll get zero dollars for it, so most of the time they will give you a steep discount on it.
Get a AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Parents of younger children will appreciate the free car seat provided in some locations.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. 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.
Distance Calls
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. So if you are a smoker, be sure to ask for one of those rooms. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Don’t make any long distance calls on your hotel phone.Many hotels now offer Skype connections on their Wi-Fi.This is much cheaper than paying for a ton of long distance calls from your hotel room.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t 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 needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. If you do get to the hotel early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.
Start by inspecting the bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is usually one of the place where you won’t see any. It is also a safe place for your pets and kids.
If you require a rollaway bed or crib at your hotel, let the person know when making a reservation. Such items usually have a limited amount of such extras. There also may be an added charge for these things. Talk about these things when you make your reservations.
Check to see if your prospective hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room.
Avoid using the hotel bedspread. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. For your health’s sake, remove the bedspread.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke. A lot of hotels have rooms just for people who smoke.Ask to see if you are available. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, they may charge you a fine.
Know what the hotel’s policy is for overbooking. This is when a hotel is overbooked and they have no accommodations for you. This will require that you have to stay at a different hotel. Getting there early can usually prevent this, but if you do get “walked,” make sure your accommodations are not being downgraded in any way.
You should understand that it is not usually possible. Plan your trip right time if you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. The hotel must clean each room needs to be cleaned after the next visitor taking it. If you should happen to get there early, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but be prepared if they can’t accommodate you.
Resist the urge to abscond with the hotel linens. Even though you might like the pillows, washcloths, or towels, the housekeeping staff will probably figure out you left with something and they might charge you. It is sometimes possible to buy linens or pillows from the hotel if you want them so badly.
Never actually check out before the departure unless it’s an emergency. The hotel might charge you check out early. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, if you depart early they will lose money.
If an upgrade is desirable, try a strategy that might get it free. One savvy way to possibly get an upgrade is to show up at the check-in time you booked exactly on the minute. If your room isn’t clean yet, you may be offered an upgrade.
You have rights in the event where a hotel attempts to take advantage of you.The hotel will attempt to foist you to another hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if you’re going to a different hotel, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
If you must secure a room when you are driving to a location, visit a rest stop in the state you are going to. Pick up a few tourist brochures which should have hotel information and possibly even discounts. In this way, you can call to get the best deal rather than wasting gas searching in person.
You can get better hotel rates when you book during the off season. Rates are always highest during this time. This will give you a rate that’s a lot better.
Tipping can make any hotel stay more pleasant. Your room service bill may automatically include a tip, but your maid service bill probably does not. Tipping when you should will ensure that you’re respected and appreciated.
As this article has already discussed, everyone should stay in a hotel at some point. The most important thing is that you learn all you can first. This article has given you all you need to know about getting a fantastic hotel, so you should use this advice to your advantage.
The view from some hotel rooms is better than from others. If the prices are the same, ask for a room with a good view. Little things like this can make your hotel stay more pleasant. It doesn’t hurt for you to ask if rooms are available that have better views.
