Hotels come in all shapes and sizes. Prices and services offered can vary widely. When planning your vacation, book the best hotel you can afford. The tips here will help you find a great hotel within your price point.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. 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. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
Many things must be considered when choosing the right hotel. Of course you want to consider price, but you should also consider the hotel’s location. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.
See if your organizational memberships offer any benefits. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. People frequently forget these discounts are available, and they can be 10 percent or more. That can save a lot of money, especially if you are staying for multiple nights. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
Take advantage of search tools online. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They can provide you with an idea of the average rate charged by each hotel, so you will have a good idea as to whether or not the deal you are being offered is good. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? If there are any obvious problems, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Many people show up before check-in time only to find out their room isn’t ready. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. First, you’ll need to find out if a hotel is even pet-friendly. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy. If you can arrange a corner room, there will be less likelihood of your pet disturbing other guests.
Always book early for that special couples massage for you and your loved one. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. It will let you save 5% or so on hotels that are around the nation. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. For an early morning jog, get up and throw your gear on, and then head out the front door. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! Try enjoying an early jog at your new destination. This can be a great way to stay in shape while seeing some of the local scenery. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Timing matters when booking a hotel room. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. These are similar to frequent flyer programs. They allow you to accrue points during your hotel stay. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your savings.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. Inquiring in advance will mean more savings for you.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
A nice hotel room can make your vacation that much nicer. Look carefully at the options that are available to you. Be sure to get great value for your vacation dollar. Apply the tips you’ve just been given, and you are sure to make a great choice.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Rather, use a web tool. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
