It takes some work to plan out your vacation. Not only do you have to choose your vacation spot and arrange for transportation, you also have to book your hotel accommodations. Bad choices add up to a bad vacation. Read the following advice and learn how to make a great hotel choice.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online and check out some of the travel sites out there. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. People often forget that they are eligible for these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. For extended stays, this can really add up. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. The cost is important but hardly the only factor to keep in mind. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Try to find a hotel that offers as many of your desired amenities as possible.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. In addition, these tools can help you determine the best time to go on vacation and the things that you can do there.
When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Are linens and towels in ample supply? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Search for the best deals in hotels online before making reservations. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. That’s why it’s always your duty to search the web for better deals whenever you are booking a hotel room. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!
Know when check-in time is. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. Also, bring a lot of plastic sacks like ones from the grocery store so you can get your pet’s messes cleaned up. If you can arrange a corner room, there will be less likelihood of your pet disturbing other guests.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. A lot of hotel locations offer discounts for reservations a month or more in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
If you want a couples massage, book early. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.
Book any massage appointments you make early. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. 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. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They offer a variety of benefits to their members. The rewards can include free room upgrades, free meals and movie or show tickets tickets. The points can add up.
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. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Loyalty Programs
Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
If you travel frequently, it is wise to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, there are a lot of green hotels out there in this day and age. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.
Be sure you understand the pet policy of the hotel. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. Some hotels may charge you extra for pets, and some may not charge at all, or the fees are lower. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Hotels give rooms a price based on what’s available. Whenever you can, maker your room reservation no more than a day ahead of time. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. A room that’s empty won’t help the hotel, so generally they will get the price lowered.
Unless it is an emergency, always stay for the total number of nights that you have booked. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. This can mean that the comforter has tons of germs and bacteria. Just take that blanket off the bed.
One thing you want to go right when booking a trip is the place where you will sleep each night. Research before you book and plan well. You will make your selection the smart way by learning more about how to get the best hotel deal. You should enjoy every detail of a vacation, even the stay in the hotel room! Keep this advice in mind when you are planing a vacation.
Don’t decide you need new linens as you are sitting in your hotel room. Housekeeping keeps track of linens. 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.
