When you’re planning a vacation, there’s a lot of hard work to be done before you even leave the house. Your preparations include packing, purchasing plane tickets or gassing up the car. However, you also need to make a hotel reservation. To learn how to do it right, read on.
Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. What others say will help you make a wise decision.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. They also list the average cost of a hotel room, allowing you to ensure you are receiving an acceptable deal. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. You will have to learn how to find these great discounts yourself. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Check your room when you arrive. Is your room mold and mildew free? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Are there enough linens and towels? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
Know when check-in time is. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
See if you can get a hotel discount through AAA if you are a member. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Most of the best masseurs will be reserved by name ahead of time. You’ve got to get in your reservation early to get the best masseur or masseuses.
For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. 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.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
In order to avoid an unwanted expense on the hotel bill, inquire about any hotel transfer fees prior to booking them. 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. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
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 will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. Parents with young children will appreciate the complimentary car set offered in some locations.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. Instead of choosing a non-smoking room, you can actually find an entire non-smoking hotel if you really want to avoid nasty, secondhand smoke.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Look to the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. This saves you a ton of money.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you do arrive before the normal check-in, you can ask if it’s possible to do so early, but this should not be expected.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. It is extremely frustrating for you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to discover that there are none.
When seeking reservations, don’t forget to ask for a crib or cot if you need one. Not every hotel will be able to accommodate you. Also, you may get charged extra for these types of things. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This room is usually free from bugs. That means that the bathroom is a great place to keep your bags while you check the rest of your accommodations for bedbugs. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Do not check out early. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. Whenever you reserve a room, it isn’t available to anyone else and the hotel will lose money if you cancel. That is why you are charged a fee.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Nonetheless, if there are smokers in the hotel, you may have problems with odors. Sometimes, smokers book rooms that are non-smoking and smoke anyway. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
You know your rights if a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. Hotels will overbook, leaving you without a room. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or “walk” you. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
If you want to have a successful trip, you must have enjoyable accommodations. You may be traveling for business or pleasure but you will still want a nice place to retire to and rest up. Next time you make a hotel reservations, don’t forget all the tips you’ve just read.
If you would like to pay less when staying at a hotel, don’t book during peak season. Rates are at their peak then. You should book a room during the off season as hotels are desperate then for their rooms to be occupied. You should get a much better price.
