You don’t want to feel taken advantage of at a hotel. Whether you are paying too much or the place is just lousy, a bad experience can ruin a vacation. If you wan to make sure you have an enjoyable stay, and thus an enjoyable vacation, then pay serious attention to the advice below.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you in coming to the right decision.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
Consider your organizational memberships. Do they offer hotel discounts? Some discounts can be over ten percent! This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
Many things must be considered when choosing the right hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
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Check your room when you arrive. Make sure the room is entirely clean and free from any mildew or mold. Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Use online hotel search tools. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. They also list the average cost of a hotel room, allowing you to ensure you are receiving an acceptable deal. Also, hotel search websites can assist you in determining where to vacation and what to do there.
Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. If you find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Is the room adequately stocked with towels and linens? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. It is not uncommon to find that greatly discounted bookings may have a hidden cost for the transfer. Asking these things before anything happens will allow you to save more.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. 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.
Joining certain clubs that let you accrue points can help you reap major benefits from your regular hotel stays. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. Be sure that the hotel really does allow pets. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. See if you can stay in a room toward the end of a hall so your pet does not disturb guests.
To make reserving a hotel easy, use AAA. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
If you and a loved one are wanting to go to a hotel and get massages, it is important that you book the appointment way in advance. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name. Therefore, by planning in advance, you can ensure you have the best possible experience during your massage.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. The hotel may even offer Skype calls via Wi-Fi. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
If you’re a member of the AAA, you should see what your hotel membership discount will be. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
If you are bringing your kids along for the trip, then it’s a good idea to call a hotel in advance and make sure they have working pools. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. In this way, you can simply suit up and enjoy your workout as usual while on the road. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the last room they are likely to be. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. 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. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
Check to see if the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Certain hotels will charge guests extra for keeping pets in the room; however, many hotels’ extra charge is very little. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
Being a member of AAA makes travel very easy. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels have to make sure their rooms are ready for you. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.
One should always be aware of the hotel’s policy on pets. People who are allergic to pets obviously want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. These hotels could have weird odors because of smells getting into the linens and the floor. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
For a cheaper room, don’t book during a busy tourist season. Rooms typically cost the most during this time. Book when the hotel is empty for the best deals. This puts you in a position with leverage, which helps you get a better deal for the room in question.
If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Not every hotel will have these items available, and the ones that do only have limited quantities. Hotels also charge extra for these items, sometimes. Talk about these things when you make your reservations.
You may be able to receive an upgrade without being charged for one. One savvy way to possibly get an upgrade is to show up at the check-in time you booked exactly on the minute. If you arrive early or in a timely manner, your room may not be ready for you yet; however, this can mean a discount on your rate.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. Your hotel may charge you a fee to do so. Once you have confirmed your reservation, understand that the room is reserved for you, and the hotel loses money if you leave early. So, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.
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. You can now make a call to book a room rather than having to drive around to find one.
Be sure to allow the advice you read to direct you as you choose your next hotel stay. When you hot to find a great deal and what you need to watch out for, you will have a much better experience. Your stay at a hotel should be relaxing and positive.
Any hotel stay will be more pleasant if you tip whenever appropriate. You will probably remember to tip the person who brings you room service, but you may forget to tip your maid. You can ensure you will be respected and well liked during your stay when you tip.
