Have you ever booked a hotel room, only to find that the place wasn’t up to snuff when you arrived? If the answer is yes, then you already know that this can be disastrious for your vacation. But at the same time, you want the ability to pay a realistic price for a decent hotel room. Read these tips to improve your skills when shopping for a hotel room.
When making a hotel selection, you should consider many things. 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? Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Are the facilities operating correctly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. 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.
See if your organizational memberships offer any benefits. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!
To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
Use hotel search tools online. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They can also show you what the hotel’s average rates typically are, allowing you to see whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. 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.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
Not every hotel allows pets. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
Book massages as early as possible. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the dates on which you plan to stay there. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. A late booking when the hotel is slow often results in a bargain. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Some older inns just select one or more of several eco-friendly strategies to show environmental awareness. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your savings.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Try using the Internet, instead. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Using the Internet is a better option. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This is the last room they are likely to be. That is what makes it the best place to start. You can store your luggage there and search the rest of your room for those bedbugs. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.
Be aware of the pet policy of the hotel. If you’re fearful of pets or have an allergic reaction to them, it would be in your best interest to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Because odors have a tendency to linger on fabrics and rugs, the hotel may have an odor about it. Some hotels are pet-friendly and don’t charge for it, while other hotels will add a hefty fee for keeping a pet. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
Having read the advice presented here, you can find an affordable hotel room. Getting hotel deals can be easy if you look for them. Just put in a little time and your travel plans can be a dream.
If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Some hotels do not have these items, and most have limited quantities. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.
