What You Must Know About Choosing Your Hotel When Vacationing

You don’t want to feel cheated by the hotel stay to leave you are staying at. A horrible hotel experience, whether because of the price or the actual hotel, can ruin the entire trip for everyone involved. Avoid these problems altogether by heeding the advice presented here.

If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy 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.

TIP! Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.

Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for hotel chains online. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA or AARP membership.

Search online tools for hotels. Use these websites to your advantage! They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.

TIP! Search online tools for hotels. Use these websites to your advantage! Not only will they show the best deals, but they’ll also include extra information about the rooms, floor plans, and even reviews from other customers.

Check the organizations that you are a member with. Some offer big discounts on hotel stays. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which can be 10% or more. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!

Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. For this reason, making a proactive search is advisable. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.

TIP! Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. The hotel representative is unlikely to inform you there are better deals online.

Always check for online deals before booking your hotel room. This is why it’s up to you to search for discounts yourself. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.

Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is your room mold and mildew free? Are the facilities operating correctly? Are linens and towels in ample supply? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.

TIP! When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is your room mold and mildew free? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.

Check out your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is it tidy and otherwise clean? Are linens and towels you’ll need present in ample supply? If you find obvious problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.

Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.

TIP! Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available.

Know when check-in time in advance.Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if you think you’ll be early.

Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.

TIP! If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning.

Plan your trip in advance as possible.Many locations offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. You may save 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.

If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.

TIP! If you are someone who travels a lot, signing up for any hotel loyalty programs is probably a good idea. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain.

Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of thinking all hotels will accept pets.

Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.

TIP! If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. They provide you with points for every stay.

There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a trip. Be sure that the hotel will be friendly to pets.Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.

If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.

TIP! If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.

If you are a runner, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park.

How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. Rooms prices are based on their availability. If you can, don’t make your reservation more than one day prior to your stay. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.

TIP! When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Availability sets pricing.

It may be wise to join a hotel loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer.They offer benefits to travelers who regularly stay in the same chain quite often. You might earn a free upgrade, free stays, or other great perks.

If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. 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. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.

TIP! Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it.

If you are concerned about the environment, you should look into “green” hotels. There are plenty of “green” hotels out there. Some of the newer hotels were built to green standards in mind. Some older inns just select one or more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk with a travel agent to find the best green hotels for your needs.

Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.

TIP! Join a membership program if you travel frequently. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.

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

Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.

TIP! Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains.

Distance Calls

Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. 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.

TIP! Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead.

Try to avoid long distance calls from your hotel room. Many hotels now offer Skype connections on their Wi-Fi.You can stay in touch with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.

To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.

TIP! If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.

There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.

Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Hotels normally have rooms set aside for smokers. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.

TIP! Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke.

You should be aware of the hotel allows pets. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, and the charge is not much in some places. The fee may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning that needs to be done.

You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you 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! You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Plan accordingly or you will find yourself waiting a long time to access your room.

Never actually check out before the departure date unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel might charge you a fee for your early departure fee. When you book a hotel room, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, if you depart early they will lose money.

If you will have children during your hotel stay that need a crib, you must bring this up when you are booking the room. Some hotels don’t provide these things, and the ones that do usually have a limited amount. There also may be an added charge for these things. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

TIP! When reserving your room, be sure to ask for a roll-away bed or crib if you will be in need of these extra sleeping accommodations. Most hotels only have so many of these items to go around, and some hotels may not have any at all.

Be aware of your rights in the event that a hotel “walks” you. This means that you have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.

Avoid using the hotel bedspread. Your sheets should be fresh and clean but the bedspread is not washed after each guest. It could have acquired a lot of invisible germs and other things you want to avoid. So take it off the bed, fold it up and stash it in a corner of the room.

TIP! For hygienic reasons, it might be best to avoid the provided bedspread in your room. The blankets and sheets under the bedspread are typically washed between guests, however the top cover is not.

Don’t drink the bottled water and open it! After checking in you will probably feel exhausted and thirsty. You may decide to reach for that bottle of water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels are well aware of this and charge more for bottled water. Check out the hotel gym instead; they may have free water. It’s best to simply bring your own bottled water.

Don’t think that you should steal the hotel’s property. Keeping linens, a robe or some similar item will likely not go unnoticed. You will be issued a bill for the items taken. If you really love those linens or pillows, find out if you can purchase them from the hotel.

TIP! Don’t steal hotel linens. Keeping linens, a robe or some similar item will likely not go unnoticed.

You can get a cheaper price on a nice hotel rates when you book during peak tourist seasons. Rates are highest at this time.You should get a much greater.

If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. Show up exactly when you are to check in. Sometimes, your room is not yet clean, which means they offer an upgraded room for free.

TIP! You may be able to score a free upgrade. An excellent method of achieving an upgrade is simply showing up for your room right on time.

You can often get a free upgrade. You have a better chance of this if you arrive right at your expected arrival time. Often the room you have reserved will still be dirty, so they might give you a room upgrade at no extra charge.

Check out online sites like Expedia to find good deals. Websites such as these sell so many hotel rooms that they receive big discounts that you cannot find elsewhere. You may have to bid on some sites, and some may just provide you with a star rating and price without giving you the name of the hotel.

TIP! Check websites online like Travelocity or Expedia to figure out where to get great prices. These websites sell lots of hotel rooms, and hotels allow them to offer discounts than cannot be found any other place.

In order to make sure you avoid hotel stays that are distasteful, follow the advice that has been provided to you here. These tips will help you have a better time while away from home. When you go out and get into a hotel, you can take some time to relax instead of not being happy.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that it’s a good idea to leave a tip for a housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay. While there are other things during a hotel stay that do not need a tip, the housekeeper’s tip should not be missed. The person who cleans hotel rooms encounters many challenges in his or her job, so don’t forget the tip!

TIP! Tipping the housekeeper is customary. While there are other things during a hotel stay that do not need a tip, the housekeeper’s tip should not be missed.