We’ve all had experience with lousy hotels. Doing so can cost money and time, and there isn’t anyone who wants that to happen more than once. Below are some great tips to help make sure that you book a budget friendly hotel that’s great for your need.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. The cost is important but hardly the only factor to keep in mind. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Older hotels might change practices to be more green. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
To make sure that you get a couple’s massage when you’re staying somewhere, get your appointment booked as early as you are able to. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. The discounts at many hotel chains and deals on car rentals can more than pay for the AAA membership fees. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
Loyalty Program
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. A loyalty program offers many benefits. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. Request a non-smoking room if you do not want to smell like cigarettes.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Try using the Internet, instead. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, but you will probably need their password and may have to pay a fee to use this service. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Many hotels set aside certain rooms or wings for smoking guests. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This makes the perfect location to place your belongings while you inspect your hotel room for bedbugs. Have kids and/or pets wait for you in the bathroom while you look around.
Always review the policy of whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you have an allergy, or you just don’t like dogs, it may not be in your best interest to book a hotel that lets guests bring their pets. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
Nobody wants to stay in a terrible hotel room. Saving money is not enough to compensate for a miserable night. Your trip will be ruined, regardless. So prepare ahead by finding the right hotel at a price you can afford. Once you decide on one, you’ll also be able to get a good deal on it.
Checking in early may not be available. Plan for this, or you may risk waiting in the hotel lobby for an hour or more. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you check in. If you do get to the hotel early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.
