When planning a vacation, many details will be vying for your attention. It is crucial that you know the location of your destination. In addition, you must figure out your means of transportation. You next have to figure out where to stay. If you’ve never been to the location before, it can be puzzling to figure out which hotel to choose. The article below can help.
Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
Consider ordering room service during your stay. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Some may offer discounts on hotels. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
Hotel Search Websites
Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. It’s your job to find them yourself. Sites, such as Jetsetter, will let you know of any discounts available.
Make use of the various hotel search websites on the Internet. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. 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. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.
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. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
You can get better deals on hotel rooms if you book several weeks or months ahead. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any 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.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
It may be wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. Some of the useful things that you can earn are extra upgrades, free nights, and late check-outs.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This will get you a great price on your room. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Consider joining a membership program if you travel often. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. Put kids and pets in there, too.
Moking Rooms
Learn about the smoking policies if you smoke. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. By choosing a hotel that does not allow smoking, you can completely avoid the smell of cigarettes.
It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don’t allow you to check-in early. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. So be sure to request one of these rooms. If you don’t, you can be hit with some major penalties for lighting up in a non-smoker’s room.
If it all possible, never check out before your scheduled departure date. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure. Upon reserving a hotel room, you tie up that room in the hotel. This means that your early departure results in the hotel losing money. Therefore, they have to make up for the loss by charging an early departure fee.
Be aware of the pet policy of the hotel. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Depending on the hotel, you may be expected to pay extra for keeping a pet, but it isn’t usually a large sum. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
You can get some money saved if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. Many travel websites offer significant saving for those who book a hotel and either a flight or rental car from them. Make sure you do your research, though, to ensure you are getting a good deal.
Never actually check out before the departure date unless it’s an emergency. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. The room is not marketed by the hotel and you will have to make up that lost revenue. You may end paying for a day you don’t use the room. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.
If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. You might be able to do this by arriving on time. Because many of the rooms may not be cleaned yet, you may score a better room.
As you can now see, choosing a good hotel is easy. Now that you are aware of what you need to look for, you are all set. Plan your trip and enjoy your stay. You’ll have a lot of great memories to keep when things go well for you.
If you are already traveling but have to book rooms, check out ads at rest stops, tourist centers and fuel stations for complimentary tourist information that has maps with hotels including discounts. Use that information to call a hotel and get your room all booked.
