Have you heard others mention they didn’t like a hotel room they stayed in and it affected their vacation? Picking the right hotel helps lead to vacation success. You need to pick out a quality place for a good price that can give you good service too. Read on to find some helpful tips.
Before you pick out your hotel you’re going to reserve a spot at, check out review sites online like TripAdvisor. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. Anything of value can be securely locked in the safe, then you won’t have to worry about your valuables while out enjoying yourself for the day.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Green Hotels
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify. 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.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some hotels are certified to be green. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. Many people are surprised to see hotel discounts included with their auto club membership. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. These savings really add up.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. You can often get the best price if you do it this way. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
Your children will be happy when you call the hotel to make sure their pool is open and working. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
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. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
If you smoke, you should understand the hotel’s policy about smoking before you book a room. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. Ask for those rooms if you are a smoker. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Distance Calls
You should be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. You may wish to stay away from hotels that permit pets if you have allergies or you fear certain animals. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Use your cell phone or the Internet. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to check in. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. There are hotels that will charge you quite a bit if they find out that you were lighting up in the room that wasn’t for smoking. This is why you should stick to the rules.
Ask for a roll away bed or crib when you are reserving your room, not when you arrive. Not all hotels supply these items, and those that do have limited quantities. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
It is possible to find excellent accommodations at a reasonable price with just a little common sense. The article above gave some great suggestions on how to approach looking for the perfect hotel. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be great. Use these tips to find a great room that is affordable.
Don’t check out early, if possible. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. Therefore, they have to make up for the loss by charging an early departure fee.