The Best Advice For Managing Hotel Stays

There are many different types of varieties of hotels out there. The quality of services and prices vary widely. When you’re trying to go on a vacation, book the best hotel you can afford. Keep reading and you’ll learn all you need to know.

Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.

TIP! Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel.

You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.

Know your check-in time in advance. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.

TIP! Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready.

There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, a convenient location, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try to find a hotel that offers as much of your desired amenities as is realistic.

Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!

TIP! To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time.

Take advantage of search tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These websites allow you to locate great deals fast.

Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.

TIP! Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are.

Know the check-in time. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if you to arrive before check-in.

If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.

TIP! If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets.

Don’t think that all hotels will welcome your pet.

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. The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so planning early is the best way to create a good experience.

TIP! If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.

There are three different things you should do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Be sure that the hotel will be friendly to pets.Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.

If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.

TIP! One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. It may be surprising that auto clubs members receive hotel deals, but they do.

If you want to keep your regular running routine, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch.

In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.

TIP! Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.

If you care about the environment, you should look into “green” hotels. The number of green hotels you can select from. Some hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show environmental awareness. Talk to your travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.

Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Look to the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. 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.

TIP! Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use your cell phone or the Internet.

Be sure to avoid hotel transfers when booking a room.Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. You can increase the amount you save more by simply finding this information out in advance.

When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It is also the safest place for children and pets, too.

TIP! When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. Bedbugs are least likely to live here.

Join the hotel’s membership program to get deals on business trips. These points that can be applied toward further travels.

Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room. 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.

TIP! It is not always possible to check-in early. Be sure you plan according to this rule unless you desire to sit in the lobby for quite some time.

Get a AAA membership for hotel when you travel. Parents with young children will probably like the complimentary car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.

If you require extra amenities like a roll away bed, you want to mention this while making your reservation. Not every hotel offers these items, and the ones that do only have limited quantities. Also, you may face extra charges for the use of these items. Ask about this before you finalize your reservations, to make sure your needs are fully met.

TIP! If your requirements include a roll-away bed or a crib, you should call ahead to reserve them. Your hotel may not have these things or may have only a few, so it is smart to reserve in advance.

Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom when checking for bed bugs. This is the place where you won’t find bedbugs. It’s safe for pets and kids you may have.

If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.

TIP! To be safe, avoid the top bedspread that is provided by the hotel. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed between bookings.

Check if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you do not smoke, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that you are renting is a non-smoking room.

Know your personal rights when any hotel tries to “walk” you. Hotels will overbook, leaving you without a room. The hotel will then “walk” you, or direct you to a different hotel. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.

TIP! Know your personal rights when any hotel tries to “walk” you. Sometimes hotels are going to overbook and then your room that you reserved won’t be there.

Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy is if you smoke. Many hotels set aside certain rooms designated for smoking guests. Ask to see if you are available. If you don’t, they may charge you a fine.

Do not take anything from the hotel. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items. If you just fall in love with the towels or pillows, ask if you can buy them directly from the front desk of the hotel.

TIP! Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. This may be tempting, but it’s easy for the hotel to find out and bill you for the items.

Not all hotel will often have a very limited supply. Talk about these things when you reserve your room.

You can save money by not booking a hotel room during tourist season. Hotel rates are very high during tourist season. Book when the hotel is empty for the best deals. This will give you a better chance of actually getting a discounted rate.

TIP! You will be able to get a decent room rate if you book during the off season. Hotel rates are very high during tourist season.

Never actually check out before the departure unless it’s an emergency. The hotel might charge you a fee for your early departure fee. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early.

Any hotel stay will be more pleasant if you tip whenever appropriate. Room service should get a tip, but maid service shouldn’t. Tipping helps establish a good relationship between you and the hotel employees who will be attending to your needs.

TIP! Your hotel stay will be more pleasant if you tip well. Things like housekeeping are paid for on your bill, but this does not include gratuity for the housekeepers.

Avoid using the bedspread. The top bedspread usually isn’t washed like the linens are. It could have acquired a lot of bacteria and germs. Just get that blanket off the bed.

You can always avoid paying an advertised price at any hotel. This is known as the rack rate which is something travelers that go out often don’t pay. Haggling over your hotel rate is expected. Give them a call and ask for a deal. Being bold is a good idea. Visit travel websites to enjoy some excellent discount rates.

TIP! Don’t pay the price that is advertised at a hotel. This is known as the “rack rate,” something that smart travelers never pay.

You can make it a lot better at your stay is pleasant by tipping appropriately. Room service will often bill you the tip, while you are supposed to tip your maid before you leave. The tips you give to the hotel ensures you are respected and liked.

Make your hotel reservation during any special occasion. You could be offered something complimentary since you are visiting during a special time. They might give you a gift such as free champagne. But of course don’t lie as that is wrong to do.

TIP! Book hotel plans during special occasions. On birthdays and anniversaries, hotels will often delivery complimentary items.

Some rooms offer a better views than others. If the prices are the same, request one. A good view can take your stay more pleasant. It can’t hurt for you to ask if rooms with excellent views.

Travelocity and Expedia are two great sites on the web for great hotel room prices. You will often find exclusive discounts on these popular sites. Be aware that you might not know where you are staying until you have locked in your reservation and paid for it.

TIP! You can find the best prices by looking at websites like Travelocity and Expedia. These websites have deals that aren’t found anywhere else.

Use a special occasion as an opportunity to book your hotel while travelling. Hotels often provide perks if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. You might get a free champagne.

It is a custom to tip your housekeepers when you leave your hotel room. You can skip tipping for certain things because you’re billed for them anyways, but you should definitely give a tip to the maid. You should especially leave a tip if you were a slob.

TIP! It is considered customary to tip your housekeeper when checking out of a hotel. The maid is the one who has cleaned up after you, freshened up your room and kept you stocked in clean towels and toiletries.

Check online sites like Expedia to find good deals. Some may require you to bid, while others may withhold the actual price until you commit to buy, so watch out for that.

When calling to make reservations, ask the desk clerk about any current promotions. The clerk may not be able to lower the price, but often they can throw in a freebie or two to keep you happy. You don’t know what you could get until you ask.

TIP! If you are trying to get a bargain on a hotel room, sometimes it is just a matter of asking the desk clerk. Even if they’re not able to lower a price on a room you may get perks like a free breakfast.

You have no way of knowing if you never ask.

If you use a third-party site to book your hotel, watch out for surcharges and hidden fees. Usually, the quote you receive do not include charges. The only way to know the exact price is by reading the agreement and the fine print.

TIP! Watch out for surcharges and hidden fees when making reservations with any third-party site. The initial quote may not be correct.

Watch out for hidden fees when making reservations with any third-party site. The prices the third-party advertises won’t often include all charges.

The quality of hotels in a chain may be inconsistent. Just because your stay at one of the hotels within the chain was good, does not mean that the quality will be consistent at another location. Therefore, always do your research on each separate hotel so that you can ensure you make the best decision.

TIP! The quality of chain hotels may prove to be inconsistent. If you had a good experience with the chain in one city, that does not guarantee a good experience in another city.

The quality of hotels in a chain. It is always best to check each hotel individually so there are no surprises when you get there.

Some hotels use Photoshop to make their facility look better on brochures or the Internet. For example, that nice pool may be as small as a kid’s pool, or the seedy neighborhood could’ve been erased. Therefore, familiarize yourself well with the real environment of any hotel you’re booking.

TIP! Realize that Photoshop is often used by hotels when producing online pictures for public viewing. For example, they can make a swimming pool look larger or brush out unattractive aspects around the hotel.

A lot of hotel websites as well as brochures will use software to make their hotel look better. Make sure you find some photos of the hotel you’re considering staying at really looks like.

TIP!

Staying in a nice hotel with great service is all part of your vacation experience. Make sure you take the time to research in advance so that you can learn all the options you have. You’ll want the best for the money you are paying. By following the ideas here, you are ensuring that you will have a great get-away.

TIP!