You certainly want to feel taken advantage of when booking a hotel room. Whether you get charged a bunch or end up a place that isn’t that nice, a bad experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The following advice will help you bypass some of the most common pitfalls with hotels so that your stay is a great one.
You should put any expensive electronics and jewelry in the hotel safe.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
Check with the organizations that you are a member of. Some offer big discounts on hotel stays. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can be 10% or more. It can add up to almost a free night!
Use hotel search tools for hotels. These websites allow you quickly find great deals fast.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. Make sure you notify the reservation clerk about any loyalty program you belong to with the hotel. If you have a membership in any other organization, put that down as well.
Know the hotel’s check-in times. Some people end up waiting for their room is still not ready. Call the front desk to find out if you think you’ll be early.
Do not make the assumption that each hotel welcomes pets.
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.
Book massages as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other.The best massage therapists are well-known at resorts, so get in while you can.
If you are a runner, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park.
Check the organizations that you’re a member of. You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. This can also net you a free hotel night.
It may be wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They provide benefits to anyone who stay with them often. You can earn things like free upgrades, restaurant gift certificates or even a free stay!
The timing for your booking of a hotel room is determined by when you pay. Rooms are based on availability. This will get you the very best prices in reserving hotel rooms.
Don’t book a hotel room without looking for online deals. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. You have to look for the discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Don’t call long distance calls from your hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This is much cheaper than paying for a ton of fees.
Start by inspecting the bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is the place where you are likely to be. It is a good place for pets or children to sit for a couple minutes as well.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is your room mold and mildew free? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have enough towels and linens? If you spot any problems, immediately notify the hotel staff so they can fix it or move you to another room.
Check if a hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you don’t smoke, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that the room they are renting is a non-smoking room.
You have rights if a hotel needs to “walk” you. This means that you’re going to have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid getting “walked” whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be sure that the deal is better than the place you were trying to get.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Call and ask before you reserve. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
Don’t open the water! You will likely be thirsty when you arrive. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water calling to you from the mini fridge. Hotels are well aware of this and will charge more for bottled water. Check out the gym and see if they may have free water. It’s best to simply bring your own bottled water.
You can get some money if you book a flight and hotel at the same time. Travel sites typically offers savings when you book more than one service at the same time.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. First, find out if the hotel allows pets. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
You can get better hotel room during tourist season. This is the time that hotel rates are highest. This will allow you to get a better chance of actually getting a discounted rate.
You can often get a free upgrade. You can do this by arriving on time. Often your room has not yet been cleaned, so the front desk may offer an upgraded room for no charge.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. These savings really add up.
Tipping appropriately will make any hotel stay better. For example, room service usually includes the tip; however, however maid service does not. Tipping ensures that you are well-liked and respected while staying at the hotel employees who will be attending to your needs.
Don’t ever pay the rate advertised. Call the hotel you want to stay at and ask for a better deal. You can also find deep discounts on various travel sites.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation. You’ll get plenty of good exercise and a better understanding of the city around you.
Book hotel travel during a special occasions. Hotels sometimes offer freebies to guests when they know you are celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary. You may also be able to get something like free champagne bottle or a similar thing.
Check online websites such as Expedia to find great prices. You may have to place a bid, and others may not include the hotel’s name until you book a room.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.
It is considered customary to tip your housekeeper when you leave a hotel. You don’t have to tip everyone during your stay, as your bill is likely to incorporate extra fees, but your maid needs a tip. You probably were a little sloppier than you generally are at home anyway, so you should try leaving the maid a tip for their good work.
You will never know if you fail to ask.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.
The hotel’s quality of hotels in a chain may be inconsistent. It is the best idea to check each hotel individually so that there are no surprises upon arrival.
A lot of the images on hotel brochures with Photoshop. Make sure you do your research well and get a good idea of the real environment where your hotel from a third party.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
The advice you have read here will be very helpful in finding a great hotel. By being informed on how hotels operate, then you are much more likely to enjoy an incredible hotel experience. If you are traveling and stop for rest, you don’t want to be confronted with a lot of hassles.