Have you ever booked a hotel only to find out later than it was dreadful? If you’ve been through that, you’re well aware that this can make your entire stay miserable. On the other hand, you really do not want to spend too much for a nice hotel. For ways to find a great hotel for a reasonable price, continue reading.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.
Check online reviews before booking a room. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. The websites can also help you decide the best time to take a trip and where you can eat, shop or sight-see.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. Additionally, there may be other price breaks for you through various organizations, like AAA or other exclusive clubs.
Look for deals online. Lots of times, when you book a room, they don’t tell you about online discounts. This is why it’s up to you to search for these discounts. Look at Jetsetter, Enrovia and Hotels.com.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. It may cost more, but it’s convenient when you don’t feel like leaving.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
If you belong to any organizations, find out if they get any discount from certain hotel chains. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates. People frequently forget these discounts are available, and they can be 10 percent or more. For extended stays, this can really add up. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
If you want a couples massage, book early. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
Use online hotel search tools. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. 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. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. This can add up on a long trip.
Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. Look at Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel or similar websites for discounts.
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! If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.
If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. Be kind to other hotel guests by requesting a room that is as far away from other guests as possible, so they won’t be disturbed by any noise your pet may make.
If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. There are many great rewards even leading up to free stays as you gather up more loyalty points.
The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Availability sets pricing. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. This can net you a great deal. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If they do, ask for this type of room. If you don’t, you can be hit with some major penalties for lighting up in a non-smoker’s room.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. Before you can enjoy your room, hotels need to clean the room properly. 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.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.
Unless it is an emergency, always stay for the total number of nights that you have booked. If you do, then you could be charged an extra departure fee for early checkout. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early. They charge a fee for early departure to help compensate for the lost revenue.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
If you are particular about cleanliness, you probably shouldn’t use the hotel bedspread. While the staff may have washed the sheets prior to your stay, the comforter is not always washed. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Remove the blanket from the bed to have peace of mind.
You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. 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.
Beware of an establishment that attempts to “walk you.” You might find that a room you booked isn’t available when you arrive because they overbooked. They might try and send you to a different hotel. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
Do not check out early. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. Booking a hotel room means the hotel is going to take that specific room off of their market. If you wind up leaving early, then they’ll be losing money for every day that you don’t stay. This is why they have the departure fee, to get their money back that they would have otherwise lost.
Avoid the bottled water! After checking into your room you will probably feel exhausted and thirsty. As a result, that bottle of water on the little fridge may look very good to you. Hotels are entirely aware of this. That’s why they fill your mini-fridge with bottled water that costs ten times as much as it does at the store. Don’t fall for it. Sometimes the hotel gym offers bottled water for free. Or better yet, bring your own bottled water.
Now that you have read this article, you should have a better idea of how to find a great hotel without having to pay through the nose. It is easy to book a great hotel room if you are aware of what you’re looking for. Keep this information in mind when booking and staying at a hotel.
Don’t pilfer the hotel towels or linens. They might be lovely, but you will be charged for them. If you really are in love with their linens, see if that hotel is willing to sell them to you.