Knowing how to research and book a hotel is an important skill to have. If you do it wrong, it can cost you money or create an unneeded headache. This article will help you make a good decision about hotels. Read on to learn the steps you should take.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. These websites can help you get great deals quickly. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. 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 out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean? Does the plumbing work right? Do you have enough towels and linens? This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
When can you check in? Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
There are three things to do ahead of time if you want to bring your pet to a hotel with you. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. The more nights you stay, the more you will save.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You can get a free upgrade, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. Ask your travel agent to help you identify environmentally friendly hotels.
The time you book the room will change how much you’ll pay. Hotel rooms are priced based on how many are available. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This can net you a great deal. Empty rooms don’t earn the hotel money, so they’re happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Using the Internet is a better option. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. Members of AAA will get additional hotel discounts up to five percent, but you’ll also get discounts on rental cars as well. It is definitely worth looking into.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. It’s safe for pets and kids too.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel’s smoking policy is before you book your room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
Check out the hotel’s pet policy. If you’re scared of pets or have allergies, you may not want to stay in a pet friendly hotel. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. If they do, ask for this type of room. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.
Know that you may not be able to check-in early at some hotels. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. The room needs to be cleaned after the last guest leaves. 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.
Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. Before you can enjoy your room, hotels need to clean the room properly. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. They may not have any available. There can be extra charges for these items, as well. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
Don’t get that bottled water and open it! After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. That bottle of water in the mini fridge can be might tempting. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. A better idea is to bring a few of your own bottles.
Some people choose not to use the bedspreads provided by the hotel staff for hygienic reasons. The blankets and sheets under the bedspread are typically washed between guests, however the top cover is not. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Remove the blanket and use one you brought from home to stay safe.
To get the best hotel rate, do not book at the height of the tourist season. Rates are highest during this time. 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 will normally receive a discounted rate.
As you can see, there are some good strategies that can assist with booking a great hotel room. If you want to be sure you got it all, read this article again. You are going to have comfortable stays by utilizing this advice.
There are some good strategies for getting a free room upgrade. Show up at the exact time you’re scheduled for check in. Because many of the rooms may not be cleaned yet, you may score a better room.