Going On A Trip? Check Out These Hotel Tips Before Booking Your Stay

Most people have had unfortunate experiences in the past. It can prove to be a costly error that nobody wants to repeat.

To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. Room service generally costs more than ordering out; however, it is nice to be able to order a meal in the middle of the night if you so choose.

TIP! To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.

Check online reviews prior to booking a room. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at that certain hotel. What people say will help you make a wise decision.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. After a week has gone by it will add up to a free night almost!

TIP! Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Many clubs, groups and organizations are able to get members discounted hotel rates.

Consider taking advantage of room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. Room service generally costs more than ordering out; however, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.

When booking a hotel, you need to establish what you need and what you would ideally like from your stay. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.

TIP! There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important.

You can stash your expensive items in the hotel safe.

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 showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.

TIP! Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you.

Check out your hotel room when you arrive. Is your room clean and devoid of issues like mildew free?Are linens and towels? If you quickly note any problems, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.

If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.

TIP! To make sure that you get a couple’s massage when you’re staying somewhere, get your appointment booked as early as you are able to. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.

Know your check-in time is. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call and ask if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.

If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. It will let you save 5% or so on hotels that are around the nation. These savings can really add up if you travel often.

TIP! AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts.

Book your appointment as early as possible. The best professionals are often in high demand, and you don’t want to miss out.

If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.

TIP! If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning.

If you’re a member of the AAA, ask about a hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts may be lurking. You may save upwards of 5% or even more on your hotel stays. This can really add up in time!

If you stay in a particular hotel chain, ask about their membership program. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.

TIP! There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. These programs usually work by letting you rack up points.

If you are a daily runner, pack your GPS and running clothes.

The price you are charged for your hotel room is partly dependent upon when you make the reservations. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This can get you a seriously discounted rate. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.

TIP! The time you book the room will change how much you’ll pay. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms.

If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you may want to take a “green” vacation. There are plenty of “green” hotels out there. Some hotels are certified green. Some older inns just select one or more eco-friendly strategies to show they care. Talk to a travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.

To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.

TIP! Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal.

Join the hotel’s membership program if you travel frequently. These points that can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.

You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. In addition, parents may enjoy the benefit of having free car seats provided.

TIP! You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. AAA members can receive great hotel discounts as well as locate a rental car much more easily.

Get an AAA membership to facilitate the process of booking a hotel when you travel.Parents can also often enjoy the free car seat that comes with some rentals.

Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.

TIP! Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Make use of the Internet, instead.

Don’t make any long distance in your hotel room. Many hotels now offer Skype connections on their Wi-Fi.This can be a ton of money.

If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.

TIP! Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.

There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids they cannot swim.

In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Be sure you plan according to this rule unless you desire to sit in the lobby for quite some time. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.

TIP! Checking in early may not be available. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby.

Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking allowed in the hotel.If you’re not a smoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.

If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. This bedspread could be a source of germs. So take it off the bed, fold it up and stash it in a corner of the room.

TIP! Some people choose not to use the bedspreads provided by the hotel staff for hygienic reasons. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t.

You should be aware that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan your trip right or you want to wait in a hotel lobby. Hotels need the time to clean your room cleaned and ready before you to check in. If you do happen to arrive early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but this should not be expected.

Don’t be tempted to open bottled water! Sure, you’re thirsty and hot. You may get tempted to open a bottle of water that is in the hotel’s mini-fridge. The hotel is counting on this, and as a result, they mark up the prices on the bottled water. Check out the gym instead; they may have free water. Simply, bring your own bottled water.

TIP! Stay away from the bottled water! You may arrive at your destination exhausted and thirsty. You might feel the urge to untwist the cap on the bottled water sitting in the mini-fridge.

Avoid using the bedspread. The top bedspread is one item that does not usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. It can carry a lot of bacteria and germs. Remove the comforter from the bed to have peace of mind.

Don’t pilfer the hotel towels or linens. 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 just fall in love with the towels or pillows, ask if you can buy them directly from the front desk of the hotel.

TIP! Don’t give into the temptation to take hotel linens home. You may really like those towels, pillowcases and washcloths, but their absence will not go unnoticed.

Be aware of your options in the event that a hotel attempts to “walk” you. The hotel will attempt to foist you to another hotel. If you can’t avoid this, be sure that you get a better room and your travel is paid for.

It is possible to save money on travel by getting a package deal on your flight and hotel. Travel websites offer big savings when you book both your flight and hotel. You can make the most of this deal by comparing rates across several websites.

TIP! Bundle your flight and your accommodations for greater savings. A lot of websites for travel will give you quite a bit of savings for you if you reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight together.

You can often save money if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. A lot of travel online sites feature serious savings for people who reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight from them.

You can get lower hotel rates by booking during off season. That is when you’ll pay the highest rates. If you book your rooms outside of tourist season, then you’ll get a better price because hotels are struggling to fill their empty rooms. You can get a better rate during this time.

TIP! Don’t book your hotel during peak periods. Rooms are usually very expensive at that point in time.

You can save money by not booking a decent room rate if you book during tourist season. Rates are at this time. This will get you to get a better chance of actually getting a discounted rate.

You can often get a free upgrade of your hotel room. Show up at the exact time you’re scheduled for check in. Sometimes, your room is not yet clean, which means they offer an upgraded room for free.

TIP! If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. To help you get an upgrade, arrive at the front desk at check-in time.

Try getting an upgrade without spending any money. You can do this if you arrive right at the time when you are supposed to check in. Often the room you have reserved will still be dirty, so they might give you a room upgrade at no extra charge.

To find great deals on hotels while in transit, check out rest stop tourist booklets. This will save you time and money.

TIP! If you find yourself having to book a hotel while on the road, look at tourist centers, rest areas and gas stations for free tourist books that contain maps of hotels, prices and incredible discounts. In this way, you can call to get the best deal rather than wasting gas searching in person.

Tipping appropriately will make your hotel staff when appropriate is a good way to ensure you have a better experience. For instance, your room service tip may be included in your bill, however maid service does not. Tipping will be attending to your stay better.

Travelocity and Expedia can help you save money. Websites like these help hotel business sell a lot of rooms, so they can offer you discounts that are unavailable 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 out online sites like Expedia to find good deals. These websites are responsible for the sale of a lot of rooms, making them able to get better discounts.

Nice View

Unfortunately, most people don’t know tipping the housekeeper at the end of a hotel stay is customary. The maid is the one who has cleaned up after you, freshened up your room and kept you stocked in clean towels and toiletries. You probably were a slob, so be sure to leave something for the maid.

TIP! It is customary to tip the housekeeper when you leave a hotel. You can usually skip tipping for other things, as your bill is likely to incorporate extra fees, but your maid needs a tip.

Some hotels rooms offer good views than others. If it isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to get a nice view, try to get a room with a nice view. A good view can take your vacation to another level. It won’t hurt you to ask if there are rooms with a better views available.

To save money on your hotel stay, ask the employee booking your room if you can get a discount. If the rate can’t be lowered, they also sometimes offer other things like a free breakfast or dinner vouchers. It never hurts to ask!

TIP! Ask the hotel clerk about the best deals available. If the rate can’t be lowered, they also sometimes offer other things like a free breakfast or dinner vouchers.

Never let a hotel charge you the advertised price at hotels. Contact the hotel and see if there is a discount. You can find great discounts on travel websites.

Watch out for surcharges and hidden fees when making reservations with any third-party site. Much of the time, the quote you will be given will not match what you are actually charged. Find out what charges are included at the final price by reading all of the fine print.

TIP! Always inquire about any extra charges or hidden fees when you book a hotel room using a third party. Many times the quotes you are given do not reflect all of the charges.

You will never know if you never ask.

TIP!

A lot of the images on hotel brochures with Photoshop. Make sure you do your research well and get a good idea of the hotel you’re considering staying at really looks like.

TIP!

Nobody wants to stay in a terrible hotel room. The cheapest rate cannot compensate for a terrible experience. Your experience will be poor and your trip totally ruined. Be sure to do the right things when planning out your hotel experience. By selecting the right hotel, you are more ensured to have an excellent trip.

TIP!