Most people have stayed at a bad hotel at some point. Nobody wants to make expensive mistakes like that twice. Fortunately, the below article provides solid advice on how to ensure you book the best possible hotel room at the best possible price.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Before you pick out your hotel you’re going to reserve a spot at, check out review sites online like TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you in coming to the right decision.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Are you a member of a certain hotel’s membership program? If so, make sure you put this information into the travel site. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. 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. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Room service can be a great way to have a private, comfortable meal. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Price is always a big factor, but you also need a hotel that’s geographically proximate to your target destinations. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.
Make sure that you know the check-in time for the hotel that you book. People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Search online tools for hotels. These sites can help you get good deals. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. In a lot of cases, the person booking your room isn’t going to tell you about online discounts. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Sites, such as Jetsetter, will let you know of any discounts available.
Don’t make the assumption that all hotels will welcome your pet. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Also, ask what their definition of pet-friendly is, as there may still be restrictions on size or breed of pet allowed at the hotel.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is it without mildew and mold? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Have the staff provided all the necessary soap, shampoo, towels, etc. that you will be needing? 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.
If you want a couples massage, book early. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You can save more than five percent on hotels all over the country. This can add up in time!
Do not assume that each hotel welcomes pets. Put a call into the front desk just to be sure, no matter what it says on their website. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Hotel Chain
If you travel a lot, you should consider joining hotel loyalty programs. There are some great benefits offered to clients who often book the same chain. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
Do you travel on a periodic basis and use the same hotel chain? If so, check out the loyalty programs provided by that hotel. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. Some of the useful things that you can earn are extra upgrades, free nights, and late check-outs.
If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
No one likes to stay at a lousy hotel. A bad experience isn’t even worth a great deal. You’ll feel as if your trip has been ruined. So finding the right hotel at a price within your budget is a vital part of having a great trip. Once you choose a hotel, be sure to get all the discounts you have coming to you.
Join a loyalty program to get deals on your stays. This allows you to earn point you can redeem for vacation freebies for you and your family.
