There are so many different hotels across the country, it makes it hard to choose. A great hotel room can create a memorable trip, but a bad one could make your vacation a disaster. So, to find the best hotel for your needs, continue reading.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. Even though this will cost a bit more, the convenience and comfort are worth it.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. 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.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
Pet Friendly
If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. This really adds up when you are staying for many nights.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Ask your travel agent to help you identify environmentally friendly hotels.
If you book accommodations often, hotel loyalty programs are good to participate in. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. If possible, don’t make your reservation more than a day in advance. This will get you a great price on your room. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
Membership Programs
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. 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 wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. You may find the best prices this way. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.
When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. This is the last room they are likely to be. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. Most hotels clean and prepare rooms at a certain time, so that they are ready for check-in. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
It you’re able to, try not to check out until it’s time for you to depart. You may be charged a fee if you do. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.
If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. Kids and pets can stay there as well.
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Your sheets should be fresh and clean but the bedspread is not washed after each guest. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Take the bedspread off of the bed.
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. In addition, previous travelers could have smoked in the room, even if it is a non-smoking room. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
Don’t think that you should steal the hotel’s property. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them. If you like the linens so much, you should ask about purchasing them.
Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so be sure to adhere to the hotel’s rules with regard to smoking.
Don’t book your trip during peak season if you are looking to get a good price. The rates are going to be sky high. Hotels are looking to increase occupancy during off-season months and this is the ideal time to book a room. You will normally receive a discounted rate.
Look into a hotel’s pet restrictions. If you dislike or are allergic to pets, you should avoid hotels allowing them. These hotels may also have an odor due to the smells sinking in the floor and linens. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
If you are looking for an upgrade, try scoring one without having to pay a dime. You might be able to do this by arriving on time. If you arrive early or in a timely manner, your room may not be ready for you yet; however, this can mean a discount on your rate.
It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don’t allow you to check-in early. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you happen to show up early just ask if your room was prepared early, but they’re most likely going to say no.
If you need to book a room while driving, check rest areas, gas stations and tourist centers for complimentary tourists books which contain hotel prices, maps and great discounts. This way, you won’t be driving around forever looking for a place to stay.
If you’ll need a rollaway or crib, make sure you specify this when you reserve the room. These items are not available at all hotels. When they are available, they are often in limited supply. There also may be an added charge for these things. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
Tipping can make any hotel stay more pleasant. You don’t have to necessarily tip for room service, that is usually already added to the bill, but the maid service workers are customarily tipped by you. Tipping guarantees that you’re respected and well liked during your hotel stay.
People are often stuck with a less than ideal hotel because they did not do their research first. Doing so can really cause a lot of problems. You do not want to book a bad hotel room, so read on to learn more about getting the right one.
All hotel rooms are not created equal when it comes to the view. If the view quality does not impact the price of the room, request for a room with a great view. These types of things can make staying at a hotel that much better. It is always smart to find out if you can get a room with a nice view.
