There is plenty you need to do in planning before you travel. Between planning, packing and preparing, you have a lot to do. Don’t forget that you will need to book a hotel too. If you want some good ideas on hotel reservations, continue reading this article.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. Additionally, there may be other price breaks for you through various organizations, like AAA or other exclusive clubs.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Take advantage of search tools online. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. 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.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your 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.
Check with any membership programs for deals. Do they offer hotel discounts? These discounts are often forgotten about, and they can provide significant savings. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Not every hotel allows pets. Put a call into the front desk just to be sure, no matter what it says on their website. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.
Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
There are three things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Additionally, bring along a few plastic bags suitable for cleaning up after your animal. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. These savings really add up.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
If you travel frequently, sign up for loyalty programs at your favorite hotels. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. You can accumulate points that you can redeem for free hotel stays, discounts at restaurants, and all types of entertainment.
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Rooms are typically priced according to availability. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. This can net you a great deal. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Loyalty Programs
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.
Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. A loyalty program offers many benefits. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. Imagine arriving at your destination looking forward to a dip in the pool, only to discover that you can’t use it.
To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. Bedbugs are rarely seen in this room. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. It’s great to know that you can count on both of these things.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. Smokers often don’t care that their room is non-smoking, too. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. So be sure to request one of these rooms. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. Nothing is worse than having excited kids who find out they cannot go to the pool.
Find out what the policy on pets is. When you are scared of animals or allergic, you won’t want to stay at pet-friendly hotels. Because odors have a tendency to linger on fabrics and rugs, the hotel may have an odor about it. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
Some people choose not to use the bedspreads provided by the hotel staff for hygienic reasons. The bedspread usually isn’t washed like the linens are. It may be a carrier of bacteria and germs. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.
You can save quite a bit on your next vacation when you choose to bundle your hotel room and flight. There are numerous travel websites that give a fair deal when you book the hotel with a rental car or flight. Be sure and compare the rates on different sites, as some will offer better deals than others.
Resist the temptation to indulge in your hotel’s bottled water! You may be very thirsty upon arrival. It is tempting to simply grab that refreshing bottle of water conveniently available in the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of their guests by charging ridiculous pricess for bottled water. You might be able to get free bottled water in the hotel gym. If possible, bring your own bottled water.
For a cheaper room, don’t book during a busy tourist season. This is the time that hotel rates are at their highest. Go for the off season instead, as hotels will want to make a deal to sell their rooms. You are more likely to find a great rate.
Finding the best hotel for your stay is an important step in planning for a successful trip. It does not matter if you are traveling for business or pleasure, staying at the perfect hotel can give you a better travel experience. Keep in mind all that you learned from this article the next time that you place a hotel reservation.
Your hotel stay will be more pleasant if you tip well. Room service includes a tip in the bill, while you are supposed to tip your maid before you leave. Tipping is just the right thing to do.