You now have figured out where you’re going on vacation. In fact, you already have plane tickets to your vacation destination! The thing you still haven’t done is book a hotel room. What is the best way to find a good hotel that is not too pricy? You can start by reading the information here. There you can find tips to help you choose a great hotel.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. Even though this will cost a bit more, the convenience and comfort are worth it.
Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. Place all electronics there along with important documents, such as your passport or plane tickets.
Check with any membership programs for deals. Some may offer discounts on hotels. You may save ten percent or more. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. After a week has gone by it will add up to a free night almost!
When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, free local calls or breakfast, and other amenities may be things that you prefer. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
Take advantage of search tools online. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. Being able to comparison shop helps you find the best value, while getting the amenities that are important to you. The websites can also help you decide the best time to take a trip and where you can eat, shop or sight-see.
Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.
When can you check in? If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. Ask for a corner room since this can reduce the number of guests disturbed by a noisy pet.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Go for a jog every morning. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
It may be wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
Green Hotels
Remember that hotel chains often provide loyalty programs offering excellent discounts. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Older hotels might change practices to be more green. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Rooms prices are based on their availability. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. This is the best way to get the best prices. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
In order to avoid an unwanted expense on the hotel bill, inquire about any hotel transfer fees prior to booking them. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good 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.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. Some places provide free car seats too.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If you smoke, you should make a specific reservation for this type of room. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Try using the Internet, instead. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. You can stay in touch with work or family without the high cost of a call from the phone in your room.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you have an allergy, or you just don’t like dogs, it may not be in your best interest to book a hotel that lets guests bring their pets. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.
Your children will be happy when you call the hotel to make sure their pool is open and working. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. If you are going to arrive early, plan on doing something to fill your time. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but your request may not be granted.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
If you can, avoid checking out before the day you are scheduled to. If you check out early, you could be liable for early checkout fees. Booking a hotel room means the hotel is going to take that specific room off of their market. If you wind up leaving early, then they’ll be losing money for every day that you don’t stay. Therefore, they have to make up for the loss by charging an early departure fee.
A great hotel is a major portion of the vacation experience. A bad hotel can spoil any trip. Don’t allow this to happen. Use the advice you have read here to find a great hotel room without paying too much for the privilege.
You can find reasonable upgrades without paying an upgraded price. You might be able to do this by arriving on time. If the room you are booked for has not been cleaned yet, you may be offered a better room at no additional charge.
