Your hotel accommodations can be the difference between an ordinary vacation and an extraordinary one. You have to know what’s important to search for and what really isn’t important when you’re looking for the right hotel so that your trip is not ruined. The following tips below will help you book a headache for you.
Check online reviews before booking your stay. This gives you know what others’ experiences have been like. What people say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Use Orbitz and Expedia for great deal. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, make note of that. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP membership.
Consider ordering room service when the urge strikes for a special someone. While it may cost more, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
Check in on the organizations you are a member with. Some groups provide discounts on hotel stays. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which may be for 10 percent or more off of your stay. It can add up to equal a free hotel night!
Know your check-in time is. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail.Call and ask if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.
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 practitioners go fast, so get in while you can.
If you enjoy a morning run, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs give you points for each stay. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, show tickets, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
The timing of your hotel room booking often determines the dates on which you plan to stay there. Rooms in hotels are priced in accordance with availability. This gives you the very best rate on your hotel rates.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Join a loyalty program to get deals on business trips. These points that can be applied toward further travels.
Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements while you travel. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car set offered in some locations.
Be aware of when you can check into your room. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.
Distance Calls
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel room. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can stay connected with work or family without the high cost of making expensive long distance calls from the phone in your room.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. Find out if the hotel allows pets. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids to find the pool is closed.
Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs.This is probably not where you will find them. It is a convenient place for pets or children to wait for a moment too.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
Check if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re not a smoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Smokers don’t always respect the fact that the room they are not supposed to smoke in.
Find out what the hotel handles pets. These hotels sometimes have odors sinking into the carpet and linens have absorbed them. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee charged may not be adequate to cover the extra cleaning involved.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Spending time on the road with your own two feet will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
Avoid using the bedspread. The top bedspread usually isn’t washed like the linens are. It may be a lot of bacteria and germs. Just make sure you remove it from the bed to have peace of mind.
You know your rights in the event where a hotel attempts to take advantage of you. This means that you have to stay at a different hotel. Avoid this if possible, but if you’re going to a different hotel, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.
If you travel often, it’s a great idea to enroll in a hotel’s loyalty program. They provide benefits to anyone who stays at a hotel chain frequently. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.
Do not take any of the linens with you when you check out of the hotel.
You can get better hotel rates when you book during their slow times of the year. This is the time for rates. You can get a much better price.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
If you find yourself having to book a hotel while on the road, look at tourist centers, prices, prices and discount offers. This way you can just call ahead to book a room that’s right for you.
Nice View
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms are priced based on availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This will net you the best price when it comes to hotel rooms. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.
Some rooms offer a better views than others. If it isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to get a nice view, try to get a room with a nice view. This can make your experience great. It never hurts to ask if there are rooms that have better views available.
You should always avoid paying the full price posted at a hotel. Call them and ask about deals. You may also be able to locate discounts on travel sites.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
Use a special occasions to book a hotel room. Hotels may throw in complimentary stuff if they know you are celebrating a special day for them. You might get something like free champagne.
The hotel’s quality of hotels in a chain may be inconsistent. It is always best to check individual hotels so that there are no surprises upon arrival.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
Just doing a little bit of homework before booking a hotel room can help you to save on hotel expenses and pick a great place. The key is to be prepared and know the things to look out for. Keep these tricks and tips in mind and a great hotel is going to be in your future.