You will no doubt be booking hotel from time to time for various reasons. Whether you will be staying in one for personal reasons or business reasons, you need to know what you’re looking for in one. These tips will help out quite a lot.
There are plenty of websites that offer reviews for local hotels, for example TripAdvisor. Use these websites to review a hotel before you make the actual reservation. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Use Orbitz and Expedia to find a great prices. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, make note of that. You might also be able to get discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
Check in on the organizations that you belong to. Some of them may provide discounts on certain hotels. People frequently forget these discounts are available, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. It can add up to almost a free night!
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
Check your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean and free from mildew and mold? Are linens and towels? If you quickly note any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call and ask before you reserve. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
Don’t think that all hotels will welcome your pet.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. Finally, ask the hotel staff if you can have a room on the far end away from guests so that you don’t interfere with their visit.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
If you belong to the AAA, you should see what your hotel membership discount will be. You would be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels.You can save upwards of five percent or even more on hotels around the country. This is a savings that can add up in time!
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some new hotels are built to green standards 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 they care. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
If you care about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels that feature green amenities. Some of the newer hotels were built to green standards in mind. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly measures in place. Talk to your travel agent in order to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
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.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfers when booking a room.If the rooms are cheap, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Asking before anything happens will allow you to save more.
Don’t make any long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. Use this type of thing to get with people you know while you’re in your hotel room so you can save quite a bit of money.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel phone. Many hotels now offer Skype connections on their Wi-Fi.This is much cheaper than paying for a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
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.
There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your excited kids they cannot swim.
If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.
Check if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more.Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. The smoke flows through the hotel and can stick to you. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. To be sure you don’t absorb cigarette smoke, think about staying at a nonsmoking hotel.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke cigarettes.A lot of places have rooms just for people who smoke. Ask for those rooms if any of these are a smoker.If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be hit with some major penalties for lighting up in a non-smoker’s room.
GUests should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. The fee may cover the cleaning, and it may not.
Not every hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Talk about these things when you reserve your reservations.
If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. Some hotels don’t have these things, while others do have a few. Additionally, you may need to pay an extra fee. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
Never actually check out before the departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel might charge you a fee for your early departure. When you make your reservation, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money.
When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! This is when a hotel is overbooked and they have no accommodations for you. In such cases, the hotel “walks” you, or sends you to another hotel. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
Avoid sleeping under the hotel bedspread.The bedspread usually get washed like the linens are. This can mean that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Just make sure you remove it from the bedspread.
Do not drink the bottled water in your room. You may feel a bit parched shortly after checking in. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. You might be able to get a bottle of water for free in the gym. A better option to simply bring your own bottled water.
You have rights in the event where a hotel attempts to take advantage of you.This means that you’re going to have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if must go to another hotel, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Often travel websites provide greater discounts for package deals. To get a lot from this kind of service, check a number of different rates on the various airlines and hotels.
Do not open that bottled water in your hotel room. You will likely be thirsty when you arrive. You can be tempted to casually open that bottle of water calling to you from the mini fridge. Hotels are well aware of this and charge you a hefty fee for bottled water. Check out the gym and see if they offer it for free. A better option to simply bring a few of your own bottled water.
If you are looking for a lower rate before you book a hotel, then don’t book a room during the peak season. Rates are at their peak then. Instead you should try booking a room when it’s not peak season as this is when a hotel wants more visitors. You’re going to have a much higher chance of scoring a deal.
Most people visit a hotel at some point or another. Regardless of your reason, you will enjoy your stay more if you book knowledgeably. This article has offered some good information on how to find a good hotel, so apply what you have learned.
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. Use that information to call a hotel and get your room all booked.