Inevitably, you will stay at a hotel. What do you need to look for to choose the best? Follow the tips presented here to get the best accommodations.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. Other customers can give you some valuable insight and help you choose the right place to stay.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. These discounts are often neglected; however, they can save you upwards of ten percent. On a multiple night stay, these savings can really add up. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. Being able to comparison shop helps you find the best value, while getting the amenities that are important to you. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.
Prior to emptying out your suitcase, carefully look over your room. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Does the plumbing work right? Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
Use online search tools for hotels. Use these websites to your advantage! They can provide you with an idea of the average rate charged by each hotel, so you will have a good idea as to whether or not the deal you are being offered is good. Finally, they can also help you figure out when you want to go on your vacation and what you want to do there.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. So call ahead and make sure you understand if there are extra fees or a limited number of rooms available. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
Not every hotel allows pets. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. This can add up on a long trip.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Confirm that pets are allowed in the room you are staying. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Spending time on the road with your own two feet will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. It might be surprising to learn that some auto club memberships include hotel discounts. There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Some hotels are certified to be green. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. 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.
The time you book the room will change how much you’ll pay. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This will get you a great price on your room. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. You might receive an upgrade at no cost or be allowed to check out later than others with your points.
Before you decide to book, always find out if there are any hotel transfer fees so you won’t be surprised on your bill. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
People have to stay in hotels from time to time. Whatever your reason for having to stay at a hotel, you should do your homework. The previous article offered great tips for coming up with the right hotel, so implement those tips.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. This is much cheaper than paying for a bunch of long distance calls from your hotel room.
