Do you have a trip coming up that needs a hotel stay. Are you looking for helpful hints to help you find the best hotel? You are definitely about to find out some helpful tips. In this article, we share valuable information to help you get a great rate on a hotel.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. If you are a member of a loyalty program, use that info when checking rates. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.
The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. It is easy to forget about the discounts. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.
Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. The hotel representative is unlikely to inform you there are better deals online. That’s why it’s always your duty to search the web for better deals whenever you are booking a hotel room. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
There are many different things to consider as you search for a hotel to stay in. Of course, you must think of cost; however, proximity to attractions is also very important. Other amenities that people look for are a gym, pool, free local phone calls, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. If you are early, your room may not be ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. 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.
Planning for a trip months or even just weeks in advance can often get you a better rate for your hotel room. You can get some great discounts if your trip is booked several months into the future. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.
For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You can save up to an additional five percent at certain hotels throughout the country. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. Be sure to ask even if the website says it’s ok to bring a pet. 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.
Green Hotels
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Newer hotels are sometimes built according to green standards. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
Find out about hotel transfer costs prior to booking a room to avoid hefty fees. If the room is the bargain, then an expensive transfer can ruin the whole savings. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.
If you do a great deal of traveling, consider joining hotel chain loyalty programs. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.
If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. Your kids and you will be very frustrated if the pool at your hotel is closed because of repairs when you arrive.
Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these options to keep in touch with family, friends and coworkers rather than incurring high costs by using the hotel’s phone system.
When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. This is the last room they are likely to be. You can leave your bags there while you investigate the remainder of the room for bedbugs. Have kids and/or pets wait for you in the bathroom while you look around.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. Choose a non-smoking hotel to avoid the stench.
If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. If that happens to be the case, then you need to ask for that 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.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay away from hotels that offer smoking rooms. Even if you reserve a non-smoking room, the smell of smoke can circulate through the hotel’s air vents and cause your clothes to pick up the odor. In addition, previous travelers could have smoked in the room, even if it is a non-smoking room. If you are a non-smoker, be sure to request a non-smoking room in a non-smoking area of the hotel or you can find a hotel that is completely smoke free.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. If you check out early, you could be liable for early checkout fees. When you reserve a room, the management of the hotel removes that room from the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses some money. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
To be safe, avoid the top bedspread that is provided by the hotel. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. It can carry a lot of germs. Take the bedspread off of the bed.
If you are going to need a rollaway or crib, ask for this when making your reservation. Many hotels do not have the items, and the ones that do may have a limited quantity. Certain hotels will even charge a fee for these things. Avoid difficulties by making these arrangements in advance.
Do not give in to the temptation to run off with hotel towels or sheets. You may really like those towels, pillowcases and washcloths, but their absence will not go unnoticed. You will be billed for them. If you do want to take something, ask about a direct purchase when you’re checking out.
If you are worried about your hygiene, you might want to not use the hotel’s bedspread. The bedspread isn’t washed often, while the sheets are. This can mean that the comforter has tons of germs and bacteria. Simply remove it from your bed.
Perfect Hotel
Beware of an establishment that attempts to “walk you.” There may be times when a hotel overbooks, leaving with no room. The hotel “walks” you to a new hotel nearby. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
If you learned one thing from this article, it should be the importance of research when looking for the perfect hotel. Utilize the information located above when searching for the perfect hotel. Be sure you use what you learned so that you enjoy your next stay.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. 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. However, you can ask the hotel if you can buy the linen from them directly for a much better price.