Your hotel stay might become something that’s great, or it can be a bad experience as well. Since it is so expensive, choosing the right hotel is a must. These tips will help you find the best value.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Additionally, there may be other price breaks for you through various organizations, like AAA or other exclusive clubs.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is your room mold and mildew free? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. Amenities, such as a gym, room service, or free Wi-Fi, might be of importance to you. Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.
In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel room during your next trip. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Look at Jetsetter, Enrovia and Hotels.com.
Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. A hotel may be pet-friendly, but still has restrictions against certain breeds or animals. Find out ahead of time if your pet is acceptable.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is it without mildew and mold? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? 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.
Hotel Rooms
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. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, pet-friendly. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. If you are getting a very low price on the room, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.
Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use your cell phone or the Internet. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
Allow Smoking
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel allows smoking or does not. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are not supposed to smoke in. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. 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.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke. If that happens to be the case, then you need to ask for that type of room. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.
If you smoke, you should understand the hotel’s policy about smoking before you book a room. Hotels normally have rooms set aside for smokers. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
Clearly, research and good planning are key in getting the best prices on the best hotel rooms. You have to know when booking is right and where to go. Use the above tips to find the best hotel for what you need.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. Hotels need to get a room cleaned up before you get to check into it. 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.