You certainly want to avoid being taken advantage of when booking a hotel room. From being overcharged to ending up in a rat infested room, this can make your trip horrendous. Rather than experiencing these problems, use the following advice to enjoy the next time you stay in a hotel.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Some offer big discounts on hotel rooms. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. That can save a lot of money, especially if you are staying for multiple nights. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
Use online search tools for hotels. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. 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. They also help you decide the dates for your vacation and the activities you’ll want to partake of.
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. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Check websites like Hotwire.com, Kayak.com and Priceline.com for great discounts.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is your room mold and mildew free? Do the plumbing fixtures function properly? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.
If you belong to any organizations, check with them for travel deals. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. Some discounts can be over ten percent! They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Therefore, make sure you call the hotel staff to confirm that they will allow pets. Even if they have a website that states pets are allowed, you should still call to confirm this. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.
You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
Book any massage appointments you make early. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
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. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
If you travel frequently, sign up for loyalty programs at your favorite hotels. They have benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. The savings can really add up nightly.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. They provide you with points for every stay. As a result, you could have your next stay discounted or receive other benefits, like tickets to a show.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.
Joining certain clubs that let you accrue points can help you reap major benefits from your regular hotel stays. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
The cost of your hotel will vary depending on when you make your reservation. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. You may find the best prices this way. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, use the Internet. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. 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.
Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you do not smoke, you might not want to go to a hotel with smoking rooms. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If you are not a smoker, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are not supposed to smoke in. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don’t allow you to check-in early. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can check in. If you do arrive early, ask the desk clerk if it’s possible to check in early, but don’t necessarily expect it.
No one wants to experience an unpleasant or distasteful stay at a hotel room. That’s why the advice above was provided. Once you understand what to look for and how to find a great deal, you can really enjoy yourself. A stay in a hotel room should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Whether it’s for a single night or an entire week.
If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Ask about this before you finalize your reservations, to make sure your needs are fully met.
