Your hotel can really make or break your vacation experience. You need to know what’s important to search for and what really isn’t important when you’re looking for the best hotel.The tips below will ensure that the process is less of a headache for you.
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. This can help you choose which hotel to stay at.
Use Orbitz or Expedia for great prices. If you are a member of a loyalty program, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You might also be able to get discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Check the organizations that you are a member with. Some groups provide members with discounts on hotel rooms. People frequently forget these discounts are available, which can often be 10% and higher. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.
There are things to think about when choosing a hotel to stay in. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Try to find a hotel that offers as much of your wish list as possible.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is it clean? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
Take advantage of tools online. These websites will help you find good deals.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. This will allow you to save up to 50 percent even when staying at an elite hotel.
Search for hotel deals in hotels online before making reservations.This is why you to search for discounts yourself. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also ask exactly what they mean by pet-friendly, as there might be restrictions on certain breeds and sizes of pet that they allow on their premises.
Check out your room prior to unpacking. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Are linens and towels in the room? If you quickly note any problems, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. You should bring some plastic bags and cleaning supplies to keep the room clean behind your pet. When making your reservation, ask for a room at the end of the hall to spare other guests your pet noise.
Be aware in advance of when you can check into your room. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if you to arrive before check-in.
If you want a couples massage, book early. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
Plan your trip in advance as possible.Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a few months in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent if you book months in advance.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
Do not make the assumption that each hotel welcomes pets.
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. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.
Hotel Restaurants
Membership programs offered by hotel chains help members who travel a lot get the best rooms during their stay. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.
If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. These programs give you rack up points. They add up to free nights, discounts at hotel restaurants, show tickets, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.
Join a loyalty program if you frequently stay there on business trips. These programs allow you to collect points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. Many have designated rooms for smokers. If they do, ask for this type of room. Some hotels fine guests if they find that they smoked in a designated non-smoking room. This means that you must be sure to obey the hotel’s smoking rules.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements while you travel. Parents with young children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in some locations.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you don’t like pets or are allergic, you want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. These hotels could have weird odors because of smells getting into the linens and the floor. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
Distance Calls
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. Hotels have to make sure their rooms are ready for you. If you are early, don’t expect miracles.
Don’t call long distance calls on your hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
If you can, avoid checking out before the day you are scheduled to. Some hotels charge early departure fees. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.
There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids to find the pool is closed.
Be aware of your rights in the event that a hotel attempts to “walk” you. Hotels routinely overbook, which means that you could find that there is no room available for you when you arrive at the hotel. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel. You should try to avoid this; however, if this is necessary, ensure you are provided with the same quality room or better at the same price you would have paid.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs.This is where bedbugs are least likely to have bedbugs. It is also a safe spot for children and kids to stay.
Whatever you do, don’t open the bottled water. After traveling and checking in, you might be feeling tired and/or thirsty. This can tempt you to consume bottles of water from the mini-fridge. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Nonetheless, it is better to bring along a water filtration pitcher and reusable water bottle and filter your own water.
Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke. A lot of hotels have specific rooms designated for smokers. Ask to see if any of these are a smoker. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be hit with some major penalties for lighting up in a non-smoker’s room.
Don’t pilfer the hotel towels or linens. Even though you might like the pillows, washcloths, or towels, the housekeeping staff will probably figure out you left with something and they might charge you. If you do want to take something, ask about a direct purchase when you’re checking out.
With a little effort, you can find a great hotel at a great price. You just need the right information. Use what you’ve learned here, and book the perfect room.
If you want an upgrade, try to get one for free. You can do this by checking in exactly at your expected arrival time. Sometimes, rooms aren’t ready when patrons arrive, and the hotels give them better rooms for no extra charge.