You will probably be staying at a hotel at one time or another. Regardless of whether it is for business or pleasure, you need to know what you are doing. These tips will help.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Room service is great for late meals. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it without mildew and mold? Are the facilities operating correctly? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. 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.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
Use online search tools for hotels. These sites can help you get good deals. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. You have to look for the discounts. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. You may not have known that, but it’s true. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. The more nights you stay, the more you will save.
Be aware in advance of the check-in time. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!
Do you travel a lot? Consider using a hotel loyalty program. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. You should bring some plastic bags and cleaning supplies to keep the room clean behind your pet. 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 are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
Join a membership program if you travel frequently. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs, hotels have programs that add points on to your account each time you stay with them. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, spa deals and a whole lot more.
Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat that comes with some rentals.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. Ask about this beforehand to save more.
If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Look to the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Hotels normally have rooms set aside for smokers. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
Learn about the smoking policies if you smoke. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.
Reviews 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. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.
What is the policy on pets? If you fear pets or have allergies to them, make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels only allow pets in certain rooms and charge more for the room because they do extra cleaning to ensure it is up to standards after each guest. It might not cover deep cleaning.
When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Not every hotel will be able to accommodate you. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
If you require extra amenities like a roll away bed, you want to mention this while making your reservation. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. Also, you may get charged extra for these types of things. Ask about this before you finalize your reservations, to make sure your needs are fully met.
Do not check out early. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
Avoid using the hotel bedspread. The bedspread isn’t washed often, while the sheets are. It can carry a lot of germs. Remove it from the bed before you use it.
In conclusion, everyone stays at a hotel at some point. Regardless of your reason, it is important that you do some preparation. This article has the advice you need, so use it!
Know what the hotel’s policy is for overbooking. If your hotel overbooks, your room may not be available when you get there. In this case the hotel has to send you to a different hotel. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.