Do you want your next hotel stay to be memorable? Unfortunately, if you choose the wrong hotel, you could wind up paying a lot of money for a fairly unpleasant experience. You will soon know how to pick a great hotel.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.
You can enjoy a romantic dinner in your room by calling room service. 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.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Do you need extra linens or towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. This leaves the job of finding discounts entirely up to you. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.
If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Choose a green vacation if you care for the environment. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Ask your travel agent to help you identify environmentally friendly hotels.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. These hotel programs give you points for each stay. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Call ahead of arrival to see if the pool is open to keep the family happy. It is extremely frustrating for you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to discover that there are none.
Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you are not a smoker, you might want to choose a hotel that does not have smoking rooms. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Try using the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. If you do not like pets, or you are allergic to them, then you should probably avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. Depending on the hotel, that fee may or may not be enough to cover extra cleaning.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
If you require extra amenities like a roll away bed, you want to mention this while making your reservation. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. Additionally, you may need to pay an extra fee. Talk about your needs when you reserve a spot so you don’t get surprised with something you won’t like.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.
Know what the industry term “walk” means when booking a room. When you check-in, you may discover the room you secured isn’t actually available. As a result, hotels will attempt to escort you to another hotel. If you cannot avoid this situation, you need to be booked at a comparable hotel or upgraded room for your troubles.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Plan for this, or you may risk waiting in the hotel lobby for an hour or more. Hotels use these in between hours to make sure rooms are cleaned and ready for the next occupant. Having said that, don’t hesitate to ask the front desk about checking in if you do arrive early; however, you shouldn’t expect to be able to do this. The best thing you can do is arrive on time.
Resist the temptation to indulge in your hotel’s bottled water! After checking into your room you will probably feel exhausted and thirsty. That bottle of water in the mini fridge can be might tempting. Hotels are counting on this, and they jack up the price of the water accordingly. Check if the gym offers free water. If possible, bring your own bottled water.
If you need an extra bed or crib, make sure you discuss this when making your reservation. The hotel may not have these items on hand. If they do, quantities may be limited. There also may be an added charge for these things. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. You will find yourself receiving a nice bill in the mail later. If you just fall in love with the towels or pillows, ask if you can buy them directly from the front desk of the hotel.
Whenever possible, do not check out prior to the scheduled date of your departure. If you check out early, you could be liable for early checkout fees. You reserve a room when you book it, so if you leave early they lose money. This is why they usually charge you an fee for early departure.
You can save quite a bit on your next vacation when you choose to bundle your hotel room and flight. Many travel websites will offer a significant discount if you book a hotel room as well as a rental car or flight. To get the best deal, compare the rates between several airlines and hotels.
If you want to be thrilled with your hotel, don’t set yourself up to be disappointed. Using the tips you have learned here, you will do much better when it is time to book your next hotel room. You can find the perfect room with a little bit of knowledge.
If you want lower hotel room rates, try to avoid booking in the middle of peak tourist seasons. It is during this time when rates are more. Instead you should try booking a room when it’s not peak season as this is when a hotel wants more visitors. You chance of getting a discount is much greater.
