Your hotel accommodations can really make or break your vacation experience. You need to know how to find the best hotel. So here are some tips to help you get the best room at a fair price.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
You should put any expensive items to keep them secure.
Figuring out which hotel you want to book isn’t an easy process. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
There are several things to think about when booking a hotel. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try locating a tip that checks off as many of your desired amenities as possible.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This leaves the job of finding discounts entirely up to you. Websites like TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter always have promising bargains for certain hotels that you won’t find anywhere else for a better price.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a trip. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is your room mold and mildew free? Does the plumbing work right? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. 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.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
Know the check-in times. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
If you enjoy a morning run, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch.
To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer 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 save up to 50 percent, even on elite hotel chains.
It may be wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They provide rewards to those who stay at the same chain quite often. You might earn a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
If you are worried about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are several green hotels out there. There are newer hotels that were built today with strong environmental standards. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of several eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk with a travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
The cost of your hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Rooms in hotels are often priced according to availability. This will net you the best price on a hotel room.
Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke. A lot of places have rooms designated for smokers. Ask to see if you are a smoker. If you don’t, a big penalty can come along with it.
If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel’s policy concerning pets. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the floor and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, but some do not charge much. The fee may cover the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.
Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have these in short supply.Talk about these things when you make your room.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. Parents with young children will appreciate the complimentary car set offered in some locations.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure date unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel could impose a fee if you an early departure fee. When you make your reservation, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Even non-smoking rooms can have smoke billow in from next door. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread usually get washed between bookings. This bedspread is where you would find the comforter has tons of germs and bacteria. Just remove it from the bed to have peace of mind.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to 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.
Do not open the bottled water in your room. You may be very likely to be tired and thirsty upon arrival. The bottled water inside the mini fridge is calling your name. Hotels are well aware of this and charge you a hefty fee for bottled water. Sometimes the gym at the hotel will give you free bottled water. It’s best to simply bring your own bottled water.
If you will need a crib or rollaway, be sure to specify this fact when you make your reservation. Many hotels do not have the items, and the ones that do may have a limited quantity. In addition, there is sometimes an extra charge for these items. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
You can get some money if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. A lot of travel websites provide significant savings for anyone who reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight from them.
Understand your rights when it comes to hotels “walking” you. This happens when the room you requested is unavailable because of overbooking on the part of the hotel. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel. This should only be a last resort and the other accommodations should be just as good or better and your trip there should be paid for as well.
If you’re trying to get into a hotel while you’re out and about, check rest areas, gas stations and tourist centers for complimentary tourists books which contain hotel prices, maps and great discounts. This way you’ll be able to call ahead and get your room instead of driving around looking for you.
Don’t be tempted to open bottled water! You may feel a bit parched shortly after checking in. That bottle of water in the mini fridge can be might tempting. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. You might be able to get free bottled water in the hotel gym. It is best to simply bring your own bottled water.
Tipping appropriately will make your hotel staff when appropriate is a more pleasant stay. For example, room service generally includes tipping in the bill; however, the bill for maid service doesn’t. Tipping will ensure that the staff respects and likes you during your hotel stay.
When traveling, booking your flight and hotel together will save you money. Often travel websites provide greater discounts for package deals. Always compare the prices from multiple hotels to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Never pay the advertised rates. Contact the hotel to see if there is a promotion currently taking place. You can also locate discounts by using travel websites.
If you would like to pay less when staying at a hotel, don’t book during peak season. That is when you’ll pay the highest rates. Instead, try booking your rooms in the off season because hotels want to have as many rooms filled as possible. You should get a much better price.
As you can now see, preparation is key to finding a great deal on a great hotel. You just have to know what to look for and when to book. Use the above tips and you’ll find the perfect hotel.
Try getting an upgrade without paying for it. The best way to do this is by showing up at the exact time that you are scheduled to check in. Because many of the rooms may not be cleaned yet, you may score a better room.