What You Must Know About Choosing Your Hotel When Vacationing

Have you ever heard people boast about their vacation? The place you stay is a difference in your experience. You want to choose a hotel that fits your budget and that offers you are looking for. This article has some helpful advice for finding a great hotel.

Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.

TIP! Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online.

Find great prices at online travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. You may also be able to get good discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA or AARP membership.

If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. This safe will store your small important items, such as your iPad, iPod, GPS, jewelry, etc. By doing this, you can keep these items secure and enjoy your day without fretting about someone stealing them.

TIP! Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad.

Consider ordering room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special meal without needing to go out. This service comes at a premium, but the convenience it provides is worth it.

There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.

TIP! When booking a hotel, you need to establish what you need and what you would ideally like from your stay. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well.

You can stash your expensive items in the hotel safe.

Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. 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. Finally, they can also help you figure out when you want to go on your vacation and what you want to do there.

TIP! To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals.

There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel. Amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Try to find a hotel with what you need in it when possible.

When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Does the plumbing work right? Do you have all the towels and linens you need? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.

TIP! When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Do you have an adequate number of towels? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.

Take advantage of online hotel searching for a hotel. These kinds of websites can help you to locate great deals fast.

In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. You may save 50 percent or more.

TIP! To get the best prices on hotel rooms, start your trip planning weeks, or even longer in advance. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance.

Do not make the assumption that each hotel welcomes pets.

Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Call and ask before you reserve. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.

TIP! Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says.

If you have a AAA membership, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You might be surprised where hidden discounts on hotels. You can save 5 percent or even 10% on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. It’s a savings that can add up over the nights.

If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.

TIP! Book massages 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 want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS.

If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.

TIP! If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly.

The price for any give hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Rooms are often priced according to availability. This will net you to get a great price on a hotel room.

If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. Use them for discounts, entertainment tickets and other things.

TIP! If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs usually work by letting you rack up points.

Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. If the rooms are cheap, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. Inquiring in advance will maximize any savings.

Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.

TIP! Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it.

Join a membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

If you do a great deal of traveling, consider joining hotel chain loyalty programs. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.

TIP! For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.

Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements when traveling. Parents with young children are likely to enjoy the free car set offered in some locations.

Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. Those who have small children will be pleased to find car seats available for free.

TIP! Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily.

It is extremely frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to discover that there are none.

If you are traveling with kids, make sure the hotel you book has a working pool. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.

TIP! If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.

Start looking in the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is probably not where you are least likely to find them. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a couple minutes as well.

Checking in early may not be available. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to check in. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.

TIP! Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Plan to get there at the right time if you don’t want to wait.

You should be aware whether or not the hotel’s policy concerning pets. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the floor and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee may cover the extra cleaning needed to completely remove the odors.

If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed between bookings. This bedspread could be a source of germs. Take the bedspread off of the bed.

TIP! You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. The bedspread usually isn’t washed like the linens are.

Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have these in short supply.Talk about these things when you make your room.

Avoid the bottled water! When you arrive at your hotel, you might be very thirsty. This could tempt you to open the water that is in the mini-fridge or on the desk. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Sometimes the hotel gym offers bottled water for free. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottles.

TIP! Whatever you do, don’t open the bottled water. You may be thirsty and tired when you arrive.

Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread usually isn’t washed between bookings. It may be a carrier of bacteria and other things you want to avoid. Just make sure you remove this covering from the bedspread.

Don’t give into the temptation to take hotel linens home. It seems like a common thing people try to get away with, but the hotel will know when you do this and may charge you later for the missing items. However, you can ask the hotel if you can buy the linen from them directly for a much better price.

TIP! Don’t take linens from your room! If housekeeping notices that you’ve taken towels or linens, you may be billed for those items. If you like them that much, check out the gift shop for new ones.

Do not take any of the linens with you when you check out of the hotel.

You will be able to get a decent room rate if you book during the off season. That is when you’ll pay the highest rates. Find out when the off-season is because this is the time that rates are lower during low-occupancy times. You should get a much better price.

TIP! You can get lower hotel rates by booking during off season. Hotels usually know in advance when they expect high occupancy due to the season or events in town so they can help you choose a time when rates and occupancy are lowest.

You can often save money saved if you book your flight and hotel at the same time. A lot of travel online sites feature serious savings for people who bundles things together.

If you are looking for an upgrade, try scoring one without having to pay a dime. An easy way to get this to happen is to show up on time for when you’re supposed to be checking in. Quite often, your room has not been cleaned yet, so you may be able to get an upgraded room at no extra charge.

TIP! There are some good strategies for getting a free room upgrade. Show up exactly when you are to check in.

Tourist Books

To get good service and keep the mood happy all around, tip when the situation calls for it. Room service includes a tip in the bill, while you are supposed to tip your maid before you leave. Tipping those who help you will ensure they give you special attention.

TIP! Any hotel stay will be more pleasant if you tip whenever appropriate. Usually, room service tipping is included in your bill while the bill for maid service doesn’t include a tip.

If you’re trying to get into a hotel while you’re out and about, check out rest areas or gas stations to find tourist books which will have maps, tourist centers and gas stations to find tourist books with maps of hotel locations, prices and discount offers. This way you can just call ahead to book a room instead of driving around looking for you.

Don’t pay the price the hotels advertise. This is known as the rack rate which is something travelers that go out often don’t pay. In fact, most hotels expect guests to want to haggle on price. Just give the hotel a call to see if you can get a great deal. Don’t be afraid to ask for a deal beyond reason. They’ll probably settle in a middle-ground. You can find great discounts on travel sites.

TIP! Don’t pay the price being advertised. They call this the “rack rate,” which savvy travelers know not to pay.

Don’t ever pay the price that is advertised prices. Call them and ask about deals. You can also locate great discounts by using travel websites out there.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. You can often skip tipping for many other things, as the bill usually includes extra charges, however you should always tip your room service maid. You probably were a slob, so be sure to leave something for the maid.

TIP! It is a custom to tip your housekeepers when you leave your hotel room. Tips for other things can be skipped as they are generally added into the bill, but housekeeping and cleaning services should be tipped.

Book a hotel plans during special occasions. Hotels often provide some complimentary gifts if you let them know you are celebrating your anniversary or birthday. They might give you a complimentary bottle of bubbly.

When making hotel reservations via a third-party site, watch out for surcharges and hidden fees. A lot of the time you’ll get a quote that doesn’t include every charge. Do your research so that you know what the final cost will be.

TIP! Always inquire about any extra charges or hidden fees when you book a hotel room using a third party. There are times when the price you are quoted does not show the extra charges.

You can get great accommodations even if you’re sticking to your budget when you know what to look for. The information from this article has shown you how to get the most out of your next hotel stay. Understand that it is not necessary to break your budget in order to enjoy a great room. Remember what you’ve learned here, and you will end up with a good hotel and a great deal.

The quality of chain hotels may prove to be inconsistent. If you have a nice stay at one hotel, it doesn’t mean a hotel by the same name will be good anywhere. It is always best to check each hotel individually so that there will be no surprises when you get there.

TIP! Each hotel in a chain will not likely be consistent. Even if you’ve had a great experience with a certain hotel chain, it doesn’t mean you will again.