You will probably be staying at a hotel at one time or later. Whether you want to stay in a hotel for business or personal reasons, it’s important to understand how to book a hotel. Here is some information that will help you.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Check online hotel reviews before booking your stay. These provide you some information from people that have stayed at each hotel. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you make a wise decision.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You might also be entitled to additional discounts through your other organizations, such as AAA or AARP.
Consider ordering room service during your special someone. Room service can be expensive, it is nice to be able to order a meal in the middle of the night if you so choose.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. This can rack up a free night over the entire course of a whole week.
You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.
Always look for deals online when reserving a hotel room. Lots of times, when you book a room, they don’t tell you about online discounts. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Check with the organizations that you are a member of. Some may offer big discounts on hotel rooms. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. It can add up to almost a free night!
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. 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.
Take advantage of search tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These websites will help you quickly find great deals.
If you want to have a massage with your partner on your vacation, make sure that you schedule an appointment with a masseuse as early as possible. 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.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will welcome your pet.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
There are three different things you have to do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Be sure that this hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.
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. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Book your appointment as early as possible. The best professionals are often in high demand, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in 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 are a member of AAA, look into hotel discounts included. You might be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You may save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. It’s a savings that really adds up fast.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. These hotel programs usually work by letting you rack up points. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, discounts at the hotel restaurants, spa deals and much, and much more.
Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
Try not to make long distance calling in hotel room. Many hotels now offer Skype connections on their Wi-Fi.You will be able to stay connected with people back home by using this instead of costly phone calls.
Call ahead of arrival to see if the pool is open to keep the family happy. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
Start looking in the hotel bathroom when checking for bed bugs. This is the place least likely to find them. It is a safe place for your pets and kids to stay.
Is your room non-smoking or not? If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. The smoke flows through the hotel and can stick to you. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
Check if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a nonsmoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If that happens to be the case, then you need to ask for that type of room. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy if you smoke. A lot of places have rooms just for smokers. Ask to see if you are available. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.
Checking in early may not be available. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. Hotels need this time to clean and prepare your room. Having said that, don’t hesitate to ask the front desk about checking in if you do arrive early; however, you shouldn’t expect to be able to do this. The best thing you can do is arrive on time.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel’s policy concerning pets.These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and bed linens. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning that needs to be done.
Ask for a roll away bed or crib when you are reserving your room, not when you arrive. Not every hotel offers these items, and the ones that do only have limited quantities. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
You have rights if a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. This will require that you have to go somewhere else.Avoid having this happen if you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be sure that the deal is better than the place you were trying to get.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early. Once you have confirmed your reservation, understand that the room is reserved for you, and the hotel loses money if you leave early. Therefore, some will charge the early departure fee.
Don’t be tempted to open the bottled water! You may be thirsty and thirsty. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water calling to you from the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of their guests by charging ridiculous pricess for that already exorbitantly priced bottled water. Check the gym and see if they offer it for free. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottled water.
Stay away from the bottled water! You may feel a bit parched shortly after checking in. Finding a cold bottle of water in the little refrigerator may present a temptation. The hotel is counting on this, and as a result, they mark up the prices on the bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. A better option to simply bring your own bottled water.
You can get some money saved if you book your flight and hotel at the same time. Travel sites typically offers savings when you book both your flight and hotel.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. Housekeeping keeps track of linens. 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.
You can find reasonable upgrades without paying a dime. You can do this if you arrive right at your expected arrival time. Sometimes, rooms aren’t ready when patrons arrive, which means they offer an upgraded room for free.
Some hotels rooms have better views than others. Request a room with a great view if you can. Your hotel experience can improve by these little things. It never hurts to ask if there are rooms with better views available.
Rest Areas
You should always avoid paying the full price that hotels advertise to its guests. “Rack rate” refers to the premium price and you never have to pay that if you understand a few essential tips. Actually, hotels expect to dicker over the prices they charge. Give them a call and ask for a deal. Don’t be afraid. A number of travel websites provide deep discounts.
If you need to book a room while driving, check out rest areas or gas stations to find tourist books which will have maps, rest areas and gas stations for free tourist books that contain maps of hotels, prices and discount offers. This way you call ahead to book a room that’s right for you.
If you book your hotel room for a special occasion, you might get a better deal. Many hotels are happy to throw in a little extra if it’s your birthday or anniversary, but it all depends on who you talk to. They might give you a gift such as free champagne. But of course don’t lie as that is wrong to do.
People have to stay in hotels from time to time. Regardless of your reason, it is important that you do some preparation. So keep the above tips in mind to get a great hotel room with a price that makes it even more enjoyable.
When you depart from your hotel, be sure to tip the head of housekeeping. You can skip the tip for other things since the bill often includes extra charges anyway, but the room service maid should be tipped. So show her that you appreciate how she cared for you during your stay with a nice tip.
