You want to be treated with respect when you stay at a hotel. You want to be comfortable without having to spend a fortune. So, now it’s your turn to learn some helpful tips on how you can choose the best hotel.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. What others say will help you make a wise decision.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. If you have a membership in any other organization, put that down as well.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. This safe will store your small important items, such as your iPad, iPod, GPS, jewelry, etc. By doing this, you can keep these items secure and enjoy your day without fretting about someone stealing them.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
Verify the check-in time at the hotel. If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Consider your organizational memberships. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. Hotel search websites also let you see the regular rates of hotels, so you can compare and see whether a supposed deal is really a good one. Finally, you can also use these to help you learn what there is to do when you get to your destination.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
Verify the check-in time at the hotel. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
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! You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. Bring along lots of plastic bags for clean ups. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. Some of the useful things that you can earn are extra upgrades, free nights, and late check-outs.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. They provide you with points for every stay. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Some newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your savings.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Rooms are priced based on availability. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. This will allow you to get a great price on a hotel room. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. 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.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Look to the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
Join a membership program if you travel frequently. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination anxiously looking forward to splashing around in the pool, only to find that it is closed.
Don’t call long distance in 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. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This room is usually free from bugs. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. If you don’t like pets or are allergic, you want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. If you are a non-smoker, be sure to request a non-smoking room in a non-smoking area of the hotel or you can find a hotel that is completely smoke free.
If you want to find a hotel that you will really enjoy, you need to know what to look for. Thankfully, due to the excellent advice provided here, you are certain to enjoy a great hotel visit. With good information, you can find the perfect hotel room.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you check in. If you arrive earlier than your check-in time, you can always ask the front desk and see if they can let you in.
