Most everyone will find themselves needing to stay in a hotel from time to time. Many people are disappointed with their hotel because they didn’t properly research prior to making reservations. You have come to the right article. The tips here will make your hotel stay.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. These reviews can help you decide which hotel you should select.
Check for online hotel reviews before making any reservations. These sites will allow you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are considering. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you make an informed decision.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotel rooms using online and check out some of the travel sites out there. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, put your information in. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP membership.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. Many people forget to do this and miss out on saving a sizable amount of money. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
You should put any expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is it clean? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? 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.
Check out your room prior to unpacking. Is the room mildew-free and free from mildew or mold? Are linens and towels? If you notice a problem, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
Plan your trip as far in advance for the best rates. Many locations offer the best discounts if you book a month or two ahead of time. You may save up to 50 percent or more.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
There are three different things you must do before bringing your pet along on your vacation. Be sure that the hotel will be friendly to pets.Be sure to bring some bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy.
If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. Find out if the hotel will allow pets first. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of “green” hotels you can select from. Some new hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Some older inns just select one or more eco-friendly so they can show environmental awareness. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find the best green hotels that are eco-friendly.
There are membership programs that hotels offer for those that stay frequently at their chains. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. Inquiring in advance will maximize any savings.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Hotels that have been around for a while may employ a variety of eco-friendly practices. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.
Join a membership program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These points can be applied toward further travels.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. If you are getting a very low price on the room, it is especially important that you ask about any hidden fees that might be tacked onto your bill. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
Get a AAA membership for hotel when you travel. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car set offered in many locations.
To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
Distance Calls
See if the hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
Don’t make any long distance calls on your hotel phone.Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of long distance calls from your hotel room.
If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Most hotels only have so many of these items to go around, and some hotels may not have any at all. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.
Check to see if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a nonsmoker, you might not want to go to a hotel with smoking rooms. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are renting is a non-smoking room.
If you can, avoid checking out before the day you are scheduled to. You may be charged a fee if you do. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
Be sure you understand your hotel’s smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. A lot of hotels have rooms just for smokers. Ask for those rooms if any of these are a smoker.If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, you can be charged hefty fees.
Be aware of your options in case a hotel “walks” you. When you check-in, you may discover the room you secured isn’t actually available. This means that they will direct you to another hotel. It’s best to avoid this, but if you can’t, be sure you are going to a better hotel and getting a better room.
You should be aware that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. Plan your time accordingly unless you might end up waiting in the lobby for hours.Hotels use these in between hours to make sure their rooms are ready for the next occupant. If you should happen to get there early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but this should not be expected.
Don’t drink the bottled water you’ll find in your hotel room. After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. Opening the bottle in the mini-fridge is tempting. Hotels are really aware of this, and the water will cost you quite a bit more than it really should. You might be able to get a bottle of water for free in the gym. Better still, pack a few bottles of your own.
Some hotels don’t offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. Talk about these things when you make your room.
Resist the urge to abscond with the hotel linens. No matter how much you love them, housekeeping will note missing linens and the hotel is likely to bill you for them. It is sometimes possible to buy linens or pillows from the hotel if you want them so badly.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure date unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel might charge you a fee for early departure fee. When you make your reservation, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money.
You can get some money saved if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. There are numerous travel websites that give a fair deal when you book the hotel with a rental car or flight. To get a lot from this kind of service, check a number of different rates on the various airlines and hotels.
Avoid using the bedspread. The bedspread is one item that does not usually isn’t washed between bookings.It can carry a carrier of bacteria and germs. Just make sure you remove the bed.
If you need to book a hotel room while already traveling, check gas stations or rest areas for free pamphlets containing maps of the area and information about local services. You can then call and book a room, rather than searching endlessly for places to stay.
You can often save money saved if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. Travel sites typically offers savings when you book both your flight and hotel.
You can help ensure your stay is pleasant by tipping appropriately. While you’ll generally find that room service tips are included in the bill, that’s not always the case. Also, maid service is rarely tipped within the bill, meaning you should tip them yourself. Tipping will ensure the staff respects you and you are liked while at the hotel.
You may be able to receive an upgrade without paying a dime. You can do this by checking in exactly at the precise check-in time. Often your room has not yet been cleaned, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.
Remember that views can vary between different hotel rooms. If prices are the same, ask for a room with a good view. A small thing like this makes your experience better. It never hurts to ask if there are rooms with better views available.
Rest Stops
You should never pay the price posted at a hotel. They call this the “rack rate,” which most travelers know not to pay. Haggling over your hotel rate is expected. Contact the hotel and see if there is a promotion currently taking place. Be bold. You can also find deep discounts on various travel websites.
If you need to reserve a hotel room while you are traveling, check out ads at rest stops, rest stops or gas stations to grab free pamphlets and guides which allow you to get good discounts and find names of hotels. This will help you call ahead and reserve the room instead of driving around looking for a good bargain.
Watch out for extra charges and hidden fees whenever you make hotel reservations from third-party websites. There are times when the price you are quoted does not show the extra charges. Read the fine print carefully so that you know exactly what you will be charged when you book your room.
Everyone will stay at a hotel at some point in their life. You will find yourself in a bad hotel if you don’t plan right. With the information you read here it shouldn’t be difficult for you to find a great hotel.
A lot of the images on hotel brochures and websites are enhanced with Photoshop. This may mean that the pool is smaller than it looks, the neighborhood is not really so nice and so on. So, there’s on need to rush. Become familiar with the ins and outs of the motel that you want to book.