Knowing how to research and book a hotel is an important skill to have. Hotels can be pricey and making a mistake in choosing a hotel can be expensive, not to mention the damper it puts on your trip. If you’re trying to figure out what you should do to pick out a hotel, you’ll get great advice in this article. Read this article for more information.
Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
Utilize the Internet when searching for a hotel. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Check online for great hotel deals. Lots of times, when you book a room, they don’t tell you about online discounts. For this reason, making a proactive search is advisable. Look at Jetsetter, Enrovia and Hotels.com.
Hotel Search
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!
Use hotel search tools online. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. Hotel search websites also let you see the regular rates of hotels, so you can compare and see whether a supposed deal is really a good one. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Put a call into the front desk just to be sure, no matter what it says on their website. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
To make sure that you get a couple’s massage when you’re staying somewhere, get your appointment booked as early as you are able to. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. Use this type of thing to get with people you know while you’re in your hotel room so you can save quite a bit of money.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Now you are knowledgeable about what it takes to find and stay in a great hotel. Read this article again, if need be. With this knowledge in mind, you’ll be sure to make the right choices.
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 can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.
