Finding a good hotel can make your trip better. If you pay too much for the room, you can take money better spent on other aspects of the trip. Use these tips to help you get just the right hotel room for your situation. It is not rocket science and you should be able to book the right room with just a little work.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. It can add up to equal a free night!
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.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Price is always a big factor, but you also need a hotel that’s geographically proximate to your target destinations. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Take advantage of search tools online. These websites can help you get great 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. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Websites like TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter always have promising bargains for certain hotels that you won’t find anywhere else for a better price.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. If you might arrive prior to check-in time, try calling the hotel and seeing if the room is available.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.
For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. This will allow you to save up to 50 percent even when staying at an elite hotel.
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.
Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Find out if the hotel allows pets. Gather plastic grocery bags so you are able to clean up any pet messes. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. In this way, you will get good rates. Empty rooms don’t earn a hotel any money, so they are willing to slash the price.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. They provide benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same hotel chain. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Try out a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some newer hotels have been built green and are certified green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
A membership in AAA can make booking a hotel easier when you travel. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.
What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. Rooms prices are based on their availability. Book your room more the day before you need it if you can. You may find the best prices this way. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.
Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Utilize the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. Inquiring in advance will mean more savings for you.
Smokers should always learn the smoking policy at any hotel before they book a room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.
Check in the bathroom first for bed bugs. You probably won’t find any bedbugs in the bathroom. This makes it an ideal spot to put your luggage as you check out the rest of your room for bedbugs. Kids and pets can safely wait there too.
Always read a hotel’s pet policy, whether you are a pet owner or not. If you dislike or have allergies to pets, steer clear of hotels that allow pets. Not to mention, you’ll definitely notice unwanted smells in the floor or in the linens if you don’t own a pet yourself. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
Depriving Yourself
Ask for a crib or fold-out bed when you make your reservations. Some hotels have these in short supply. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. You should discuss this with the hotel agent prior to booking so that you do not have an unexpected charge to your bill.
By booking a bad hotel, you are depriving yourself of the fun and excitement that comes from staying in a good hotel. In addition, you are depriving yourself of money you need for other travel necessities. Follow the advice presented here to get a comfortable hotel room. Keep these tips handy in case you need them again.
You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. This can mean that the comforter has tons of germs and bacteria. Simply remove it from your bed.