It takes lots of work to plan a great vacation. You have to worry about choosing a locale, finding transportation and booking a good hotel. If you make the wrong choice, that can spoil the vacation for everyone. This article is full of excellent advice about booking a fabulous hotel.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is it tidy and sanitary? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are there enough of the right linens? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.
If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
If you and a loved one are wanting to go to a hotel and get massages, it is important that you book the appointment way in advance. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
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. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This will usually ensure that you receive the best available price. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. Those with youngsters will be grateful for the free car seats.
Join a membership program if you travel frequently. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
If you are traveling with kids, make sure the hotel you book has a working pool. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Use the Internet, instead. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
The bathroom is the first place to go when checking for bed bugs in your hotel room. The bathroom is not a common place where bedbugs would be. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.
Ask if there is smoking allowed in the hotel. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. There are times when smokers end up staying in non-smoking rooms, and smoking in them. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. 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 a crib or a rollaway bed is necessary for your stay, let your booking agent know. Your hotel may not have these things or may have only a few, so it is smart to reserve in advance. Certain hotels will even charge a fee for these things. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you do arrive early, ask the desk clerk if it’s possible to check in early, but don’t necessarily expect it.
Don’t check out early, if possible. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. When a hotel room is something you book, they are taking it away from other people and will lose some money if you leave early. Therefore, they have to make up for the loss by charging an early departure fee.
When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! Hotels sometimes overbook, which means you discover that your reservation is unavailable. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or “walk” you. If you can’t avoid this, then make sure you are getting a room that is still worth the value that you have already paid.
You may wish to use a different blanket than the comforter that is in your hotel room. While the staff may have washed the sheets prior to your stay, the comforter is not always washed. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Just make sure you remove the bedspread.
Don’t let a bad hotel ruin your entire trip. Take the time to plan your trip and research your hotel options. With the right information, the easier it is to book the ideal hotel. Relaxing in a comfortable hotel can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a trip. Next time you’re planning a vacation, remember this useful advice.
Don’t let a hotel take advantage of you. If your hotel overbooks, your room may not be available when you get there. The hotel will then “walk” you, or send you out to another hotel. Getting there early can usually prevent this, but if you do get “walked,” make sure your accommodations are not being downgraded in any way.
