How often have people told you that they had a fun vacation, but the hotel wasn’t all that great? Your vacation’s success hinges on selecting a good hotel. The best choice is choosing accommodations that are in line with your budget but still offers great service. The following information makes hotel booking easier.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. These reviews can help you decide which hotel you should select.
To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Finally, they can help you determine when you’d like to travel and what you’d like to do when you’re there.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. 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.
In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. 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.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. It is easy to forget about the discounts. You end up with an even bigger savings if your hotel stay is going to be for multiple nights. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs give you points every time you stay there. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.
Take advantage of search tools online. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
Look for deals online. Many times, the person you book your room with will not tell you that you can get a discount online. So, it’s up personally to you to go searching for such discounts. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Asking about this ahead of time helps you maximize your savings.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
Don’t think that all hotels will be pet friendly. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Look to the Internet, instead. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.
If you are searching a hotel for bed bugs, you should check the bathroom first. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.
You can find great accomodations, even on a budget, if you know how to look. Hopefully, the tips you just read will help you have a great experience at your next hotel. It does not have to be the most expensive one. Remember the advice that you have heard here, and you can find a great hotel that you can afford.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. You may rent a non-smoking room, however, the smoke from the smoking rooms can still be present in the air and make your clothes smell like it. In addition, previous travelers could have smoked in the room, even if it is a non-smoking room. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.