You don’t want your hotel stay to leave you feeling fleeced. You will be left with a negative impression if you have a bad experience, whether the charge is too high or the hotel was inferior. Instead of running into these types of problems, pay attention the following advice so that you can enjoy your next hotel stay.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. Anything of value can be securely locked in the safe, then you won’t have to worry about your valuables while out enjoying yourself for the day.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. For extended stays, this can really add up. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. Sometimes there are people that don’t know when the room will be ready and so they aren’t sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can’t check in. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is it tidy and sanitary? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Have the staff provided all the necessary soap, shampoo, towels, etc. that you will be needing? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
Know when check-in time is. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready 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.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Instead, you should try the Internet. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. The rewards can include free room upgrades, free meals and movie or show tickets tickets. The points can add up.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. 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.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Even if you reserve a non-smoking room, the smell of smoke can circulate through the hotel’s air vents and cause your clothes to pick up the odor. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms because that is all that is available, and then they smoke in them anyway. Too avoid exposure to the smell of cigarette smoke, it may be best to stay at a non-smoking hotel.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. 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.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Make use of the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan your time accordingly unless you want to wait in the lobby for hours. The room has to be cleaned ahead of your check in. You can request an early check-in ahead of time, but it may cost more.
The bathroom is the first place to go when checking for bed bugs in your hotel room. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. Kids and pets can safely wait there too.
If you will need a crib or rollaway, be sure to specify this fact when you make your reservation. Not all hotel chains do offer these and those that will often have a very limited supply. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
Learn about the smoking policies if you smoke. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If this is what you’re looking for, inquire about these rooms. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
If you book a room during a heavy occupancy period, don’t be surprised if you have a mandatory stay of a few days or more. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. As a result, hotels will attempt to regain some of this lost revenue by charging you a fee for leaving early.
What is the policy on pets? If you fear or are allergic to pets, you might want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. The smells tend to stick around. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. It might not cover deep cleaning.
No matter how clean your hotel seems, never use the hotel bedspread for sleeping. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed. This bedspread is where you would find the bacteria and germs. Remove the blanket from the bed to have peace of mind.
Be sure to allow the advice you read to direct you as you choose your next hotel stay. If you know what to watch for and what constitutes a good deal, then you’re likely to have better experiences. A good hotel should relax and please you, and you don’t have to settle for anything less.
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 really are in love with their linens, see if that hotel is willing to sell them to you.