Some life circumstances necessitate a hotel stay. People who don’t research hotels usually choose the wrong ones. You’re in luck! Use these tips to ensure a comfortable stay at a great hotel.
Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. 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.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. Reviews allow you to read about recent experiences at a hotel. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online and check out some of the travel sites out there. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
What groups are you a member of? Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. Even though this will cost a bit more, the convenience and comfort are worth it.
When booking a hotel, you need to establish what you need and what you would ideally like from your stay. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Shop around for a hotel that has the features that are most important to you.
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. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.
You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
Know the check-in times. If you show up too early, you may find yourself sitting around the lobby, waiting for your room to be ready. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
Are you a AAA member? If so, hotels may provide you a discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.
Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. There are many benefits you may be able to get. Some of the useful things that you can earn are extra upgrades, free nights, and late check-outs.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Confirm that pets are allowed in the room you are staying. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Be kind to other hotel guests by requesting a room that is as far away from other guests as possible, so they won’t be disturbed by any noise your pet may make.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs give you points every time you stay there. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.
If you want a couples massage, book early. Most of the best masseurs will be reserved by name ahead of time. You’ve got to get in your reservation early to get the best masseur or masseuses.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. These are much more common today than they were in the past. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. The more nights you stay, the more you will save.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. Not only will AAA members receive discounts for a lot of hotel chains that make it worth getting into, you may also find rental cars more easily than those without the membership. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! 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 will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Instead, use the Internet. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. Bedbugs are rarely seen in this room. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you dislike or are allergic to pets, you should avoid hotels allowing them. These hotels sometimes have odors because the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
If you do a great deal of traveling, consider joining hotel chain loyalty programs. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you do arrive early, ask the desk clerk if it’s possible to check in early, but don’t necessarily expect it.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. AAA members receive excellent discounts on hotels, car rentals and other attractions. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
When seeking reservations, don’t forget to ask for a crib or cot if you need one. Some hotels don’t provide these things, and the ones that do usually have a limited amount. Also, these things can cost extra. Make your needs known at the time you place your reservation so that you do not have any unpleasant surprises.
Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Try using the Internet, instead. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
Don’t check out early, if possible. The hotel might charge you a fee for early departure. By booking a room, you are preventing other potential guests from staying in the hotel. Therefore, by leaving early, you are costing the hotel extra revenue. As a result, hotels will attempt to regain some of this lost revenue by charging you a fee for leaving early.
So, when it comes time to plan a trip, keep these tips handy. If you don’t research properly, you may find yourself in a dreadful hotel. This article has given you the information you need to succeed when searching for the ideal hotel.
You may wish to use a different blanket than the comforter that is in your hotel room. They generally will wash the blankets and sheets that are under the bedspread, but the main bedspread may not be washed. It could have acquired a lot of invisible germs and other things you want to avoid. Just remove this covering from the bed to have peace of mind.