Your hotel accommodations can make or break your vacation experience. When you think of what a hotel costs, it’s a good idea to figure out what you should be looking for as well as what to stay away from when you’re reserving a spot. So here are some tips to help you get the best room at the best price.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Do they offer hotel discounts? People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Make use of the various hotel search websites on the Internet. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. In addition, these tools can help you determine the best time to go on vacation and the things that you can do there.
Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. 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.
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
If you travel a lot, you should consider joining hotel loyalty programs. 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.
Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.
The price you pay at a hotel often depends on the time frame in which you reserve the room. Rooms prices are based on their availability. If possible, don’t make your reservation more than a day in advance. In this way, you will get good rates. Hotels are often happy to slash prices on impending vacancies since they will get nothing if they can’t book the room.
Try out a green vacation. There are many hotels that feature green amenities. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Clearly, doing your homework can assist you in finding a good hotel at a great price. You just need to know what you are looking for and when you should book it. So keep the above suggestions in mind so you ensure you find the perfect hotel that will fit all your needs.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Hotels price their rooms based on how many rooms are available. Try booking your hotel room within 24 hours of your stay. You can often get the best price if you do it this way. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.