There are quite a few hotels in the US, from the fanciest resorts to little motels on the roadside that aren’t all that modern. A good hotel room can make a trip memorable, while a bad one can turn it into a disaster. Continue reading this article for information on finding great hotels.
Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Do they offer hotel discounts? Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. Amenities, such as a gym, room service, or free Wi-Fi, might be of importance to you. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
See if your organizational memberships offer any benefits. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. You may save ten percent or more. These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
When thinking about selecting a hotel, there are quite a few salient points to consider. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Does the plumbing work right? Do you have enough towels and linens? If there are any obvious problems, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
Check your room when you arrive. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have an adequate number of towels? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
If you want a couples massage, book early. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, see about signing up for their frequent guest program. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. These programs usually work by letting you rack up points. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Rooms are typically priced according to availability. If you can, make your reservation no earlier than 24 hours before you arrive. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.
If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
Know your hotel’s policy on pets prior to booking with them. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Depending on the hotel, you may be expected to pay extra for keeping a pet, but it isn’t usually a large sum. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. At some locations they even offer free car seats.
If you need an extra bed or crib, make sure you discuss this when making your reservation. Some hotels don’t have them, and others have a limited amount. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
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. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. Therefore, some will charge the early departure fee.
You should know that you generally aren’t going to be able to do an early check-in at a hotel. Make sure you plan around your check-in time, or you will be forced to sit in a lobby to wait for your room. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.
The bedspread might not be the cleanest linen in the room. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Just remove this covering from the bed to have peace of mind.
Don’t use the hotel bedspread if you can avoid it. While the staff may have washed the sheets prior to your stay, the comforter is not always washed. That can make it rife with germs and bacteria and who knows what. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.
Stay away from the bottled water! When you arrive at your hotel, you might be very thirsty. You might want to open the bottled water they left you. There is a huge mark-up in price because the hotel knows this fact. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Plan ahead and bring your own bottled water.
Some people rush while looking for their hotel, and often take the first room they find. This can easily backfire and you can wind up paying a lot more for a room than you should. Staying in an unclean environment is not enjoyable. Follow the tips presented here to avoid it.
Don’t steal hotel linens. Housekeeping keeps track of linens. Ask the hotel upfront if you can buy similar items from them directly.