From small motels to five-star hotels, the US is home to thousands of accommodations. Picking a good hotel helps make your trip memorable in a good way, but a bad hotel choice does exactly the opposite. For tips on finding and staying at a great hotel, read the information below.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Hotel discounts are often one of the benefits offered. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Does the plumbing work right? Are there enough of the right linens? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. If you can’t help your arrival time being early, you can ask for an early check-in but it might cost a bit extra.
Be aware in advance of the check-in time. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.
If you’re going to be wanting a massage at your hotel, book it well in advance. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.
If you want a couples massage, book early. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
Always remember to pack running clothes and any thing else you need for exercising while on your trip. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. 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.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.
If you want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Finding hotels that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as asking your favorite travel agent.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.
How much your hotel room will cost depends largely on the time you book. Rooms in hotels are often priced based on their availability. If it’s possible, your room should be booked around a day in advance or more. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
The bathroom is the first place to go when checking for bed bugs in your hotel room. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. That means your luggage will be safe there while you check out the other areas of the room. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.
Some people choose not to use the bedspreads provided by the hotel staff for hygienic reasons. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. This means they may be a hotbed of germs. So take it off the bed, fold it up and stash it in a corner of the room.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms because that is all that is available, and then they smoke in them anyway. By choosing a hotel that does not allow smoking, you can completely avoid the smell of cigarettes.
Know what the hotel’s policy is for overbooking. Occasionally, a hotel overbooks and your booked room is unavailable. This is known as “walking” a customer. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.
In most cases, checking into a hotel room ahead of schedule isn’t possible. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. The room has to be cleaned ahead of your check in. 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.
Do not open the bottled water in your hotel room. After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels take advantage of guests by charging ridiculous amounts for bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. It’s better to simply bring your own bottled water.
The truth of the matter is that many travelers simply don’t take the needed time to research in advance. As a result, they wind up booking the wrong hotel for their needs. However, this hit or miss approach can really backfire on you. Use the tips here to find the best deals on great rooms.
Do not take any of the hotel’s linens with you when you leave. You will find yourself receiving a nice bill in the mail later. If you find you really like these items, then ask the hotel if you could purchase them instead.