Your hotel accommodations can be the difference between an ordinary vacation and an extraordinary one. You need to know what’s important to search for and what really isn’t important when you’re looking for the best hotel.These tips will help you the best value.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Check online reviews before making any reservations. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are planning on staying at. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure 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. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great prices. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. You may also be able to get discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. These discounts are often forgotten about, and they can provide significant savings. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.
Use hotel search tools online. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. Not only will they show the best deals, but they’ll also include extra information about the rooms, floor plans, and even reviews from other customers. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Free Local Calls
Inspect the room before unpacking. Make sure the room is entirely clean and free from any mildew or mold. Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
There are things to consider as you search for a hotel. Amenities like a swimming pool, free local calls, free local calls or breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Try to find a tip that checks off as much of your desired amenities as possible.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
Always look for deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. This is why you should look for these discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. 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.
If you care about the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. The number of green hotels you can select from. Some of the newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show environmental awareness. Talk to your travel agent if you want to find the best green hotels that are eco-friendly.
If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Ascertain that your hotel is really pet friendly. Remember to bring bags so that you can pick up your pet’s waste when you travel. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
The cost of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Rooms are typically priced based on their availability. This gives you receive the best prices in reserving hotel rooms.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. It will let you save 5% or so on hotels that are around the nation. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfers when booking a room.If the room is the bargain, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Inquiring in advance will maximize any savings.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.
It is extremely frustrating when you and your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.
Check if a hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are renting is a non-smoking room.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
Find out how the policy on pets is. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the carpet and bed linens. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, and the charge is not much in some places.The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning involved.
If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
You should understand that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Plan your trip right time if you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. The room needs to be cleaned after the next guest can check in. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but this should not be expected.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually 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 has to be cleaned ahead of your check in. If you do arrive early, ask the desk clerk if it’s possible to check in early, but don’t necessarily expect it.
Never actually check out before the departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel may charge a fee if you check out early. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. Many hotels will charge a fee for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. This is why they have the departure fee, to get their money back that they would have otherwise lost.
You know your rights in the event where a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. The hotel will attempt to foist you to another hotel. Avoid having this happen if you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be sure that the deal is better than the place you were trying to get.
No matter how clean your hotel seems, never use the hotel bedspread for sleeping. While sheets and linens are always washed, the topmost bedspread may not be, depending on the hotel policy. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.
Don’t steal hotel towels or linens.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. When you check-in, you may discover the room you secured isn’t actually available. This means that they will direct you to another hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if must go to another hotel, make sure you get a comparable or better room and the travel to there paid for.
You can get a decent room rate if you book during off season. Rates are highest at this time.This will allow you a rate that’s a lot better.
Resist the urge to abscond with the hotel linens. It seems like a common thing people try to get away with, but the hotel will know when you do this and may charge you later for the missing items. Ask the hotel upfront if you can buy similar items from them directly.
You may be able to receive an upgrade without paying a dime. You can be sure of this by going at the precise check-in time. If the room you are booked for has not been cleaned yet, you may be offered 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. You can then call and book a room, rather than searching endlessly for places to stay.
Maid Service
Your hotel stay may become a bit more pleasant if you are willing to tip appropriately. For example, you may find that room service will make you tip no matter what on your bill. However, the maids won’t get tips included with their services. Providing tips ensures that you receive good service during your hotel stay.
Tipping for maid service and room service can improve the staff will ensure that you have a much better time at your trip. While a tip is usually added to a room service bill, it isn’t included in maid service. Tipping helps establish a good relationship between you and the hotel.
Sometimes, a hotel room will have a view that’s great when compared to others. Realize that prices can sometimes vary as well, but discuss the view you want as you’re booking the room. Just having a better view can enhance your enjoyment of your hotel stay. It’s a simple thing to ask whether there are rooms available where the view is better.
Some rooms will have better views while others do not. If the view quality does not impact the price of the room, ask for a room with a better one. These little things can make your hotel experience. It won’t hurt you to ask if they can get you a room with a better view.
Don’t settle for the advertised price when booking a hotel. “Rack rate” refers to the premium price and you never have to pay that if you understand a few essential tips. Hotels expect there to be haggling when it comes to the price. So call ahead, be friendly and inquire about their best deals and perks. Assert yourself. Travel sites on the Internet may also be a great place to find great savings.
Check online websites such as Expedia or Travelocity to help you find good deals. You may have to place a bid, and some may just provide you with a star rating and price without giving you the name of the hotel.
Inform the hotel if you are staying for a special occasion. Hotels will often throw in complimentary swag if you tell them you are traveling on, say, your anniversary or birthday. They might give you a gift such as free champagne. Never lie, though!
It is considered customary to tip your housekeeper when you leave a hotel. You don’t have to tip everyone during your stay, as many other amenities include a tip in their prices, but your maid needs a tip. Unless you made sure your room was spick and span every single day, please don’t forget to do this.
Travelocity and Expedia can help you save money. These sites help to sell lots of hotel reservations, so hotels will inform them of any discounts that may not be offered elsewhere. For some, you must bid, but others provide you with a price but withhold the name of the hotel until you commit to purchase, so beware.
In conclusion, doing your research will help you land a wonderful hotel at a wonderful price. You have to know when booking is right and where to go. Use what you’ve learned here, and book the perfect room.
Watch out for extra charges and hidden fees whenever you make hotel reservations from third-party websites. Frequently, the price that is displayed to you is not the net price. Read the fine print to avoid being overcharged.
