Have you ever made a hotel reservation, only to discover upon your arrival that the place was a dump? If so, you know how this can ruin your whole vacation. But at the same time, you want the ability to pay a realistic price for a decent hotel room. For information of finding a good hotel at a decent price, continue reading.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Check with any membership programs for deals. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. These discounts are often neglected; however, they can save you upwards of ten percent. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. This adds up to a night’s stay that is almost free.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
Check in on the organizations you belong to. Some may offer discounts on hotels. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. After a week has gone by it will add up to a free night almost!
Don’t book a hotel room without looking for online deals. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It’s your job to find them yourself. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
Always see if you can find deals online when you’re thinking of getting a hotel room. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. 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.
If you’re thinking of taking your pet to a hotel with you, there are some things you need to do first. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. In addition, you will need numerous plastic bags and cleaning supplies so that you can make sure you clean up any messes your pet makes. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You can save 5 percent or even more on hotels around the country. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. Try enjoying an early jog at your new destination. This can be a great way to stay in shape while seeing some of the local scenery. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
The price for any give hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Rooms are priced based on availability. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfers when booking a room. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. 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.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. Some have smoking rooms. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. 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.
In most cases, checking into a hotel room ahead of schedule isn’t possible. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you check in. 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.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. To be sure you don’t absorb cigarette smoke, think about staying at a nonsmoking hotel.
Now that you have the right advice, you should be able to figure out how to find an exceptional hotel. Once you know what to look for in a hotel, finding a great one is easy. Be sure to keep these tips in mind.
Always find out the pet policy at any hotel you stay at. If you’re scared of pets or are allergic, you might want to stay away from pet-friendly hotels. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. If the hotel allows animals in any room, then you may want to book elsewhere if you have allergies.
