Your hotel stay can be a factor that can make your stay a dream come true or an expensive nightmare. Since it is so expensive, choosing the right hotel is a must. These tips will get you the greatest room on budget.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Amenities, such as a gym, room service, or free Wi-Fi, might be of importance to you. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Take advantage of search tools online. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. 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. Finally, you can also use these to help you learn what there is to do when you get to your destination.
Search for hotel deals online. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. It’s your job to find them yourself. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and otherwise clean? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are there enough linens and towels? 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.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Confirm that pets are allowed in the room you are staying. Make sure you have some plastic bags to get rid of pet messes. When you call to make reservations, try getting a room away from other guests so any noise your pet makes won’t bother people.
Know when check-in time is. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. It will let you save 5% or so on hotels that are around the nation. This can add up on a long trip.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. Confirm that pets are allowed in the room you are staying. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. Hotels price rooms 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. In this way, you will get good rates. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.
Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. Some of the useful things that you can earn are extra upgrades, free nights, and late check-outs.
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 save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. The prices are based partly on availability. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Don’t make any long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. 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.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go. It is definitely worth looking into.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.
If you are planning on staying in a hotel room with your children, make sure you call the hotel in advance to ensure they provide a working pool or some other fun activities for your children to do. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.
When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Most hotels will supply these items on request, but they do have a limited supply. There also may be an added charge for these things. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. It makes a safe place to keep your luggage when looking for bedbugs elsewhere in the room. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Early Departure
GUests should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. There may be an extra fee to have a pet stay. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
If you book a room during a heavy occupancy period, don’t be surprised if you have a mandatory stay of a few days or more. Hotels often charge early departure fees. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. They have to at least get something for the loss, thus an early departure charge.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Be sure you plan according to this rule unless you desire to sit in the lobby for quite some time. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. You can see if your room is ready should you arrive early. However, do not count on it.
Avoid using the hotel bedspread. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. That means it could harbor contaminants you don’t want to be in contact with. Just take that blanket off the bed.
Ask for a roll away bed or crib when you are reserving your room, not when you arrive. Some hotels don’t have these things, while others do have a few. Sometimes, there is an additional charge for these items. Avoid difficulties by making these arrangements in advance.
Be aware of your options in case a hotel “walks” you. Hotels sometimes overbook, which means you discover that your reservation is unavailable. The hotel “walks” you to a new hotel nearby. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early. You reserve a room when you book it, so if you leave early they lose money. They have to at least get something for the loss, thus an early departure charge.
Avoid drinking bottled water from a hotel! When you arrive at your hotel, you might be very thirsty. Opening the bottle in the mini-fridge is tempting. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Often, hotels offer complementary water in their workout facilities. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottles.
Avoid the bottled water! After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. You may get tempted to open a bottle of water that is in the hotel’s mini-fridge. Hotels are counting on this, and they jack up the price of the water accordingly. Look for free water in the gym or lobby. Even better, bring along a few of your own bottles.
By just doing some research and preparing for it, you can find a great deal on a nice hotel. You need to know where too look and what are the best times to book to ensure you receive a great room. Keep the tips above fresh in your mind when you’re booking your next vacation stay.
Save money by booking your flight and hotel at the same time. Many times, travel websites offer discounts for booking the hotel, flight and rental car at the same time. To maximize this service, be sure to compare the rates of different airlines and hotels.