Booking a hotel can be overwhelming when you are faced with such a wide array of prices, locations and amenities. So doing some research before doing anything else is important. Write down what you want and how much you are willling to pay, then start planning. Remember the following advice as you conduct your search.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
Before booking your hotel room, look to online review sites for in depth reviews from recent travelers. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Consider taking advantage of room service when the urge strikes for a late-night snack with your special someone. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
When can you check in? People sometimes forget when they will be let into their rooms, showing up early only to learn that their room isn’t ready yet. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.
Search for hotel 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. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. Most hotels have serious discounts for early booking customers. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is it clean? Does everything work? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
Most hotels are not pet-friendly. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.
Know your check-in time in advance. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.
If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Frequently, the most skilled massage specialists at the best hotels are reserved by name, so when you plan ahead, you can get the best.
In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. 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.
If you travel frequently, sign up for loyalty programs at your favorite hotels. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. You can often earn free upgrades, free stays, and complimentary late check out with enough points accrued.
If you want to have a massage with your partner on your vacation, make sure that you schedule an appointment with a masseuse as early as possible. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. These programs give you points every time you stay there. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You can save 5 percent or more on your hotel stay just by showing your membership card. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
Do you travel a lot? Consider using a hotel loyalty program. They have benefits for those who frequently stay at a hotel. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.
In order to avoid an unwanted expense on the hotel bill, inquire about any hotel transfer fees prior to booking them. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Like the programs for frequent flyer, these programs the hotel offer give you points whenever you stay with them. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. The discounts at many hotel chains and deals on car rentals can more than pay for the AAA membership fees. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Older hotels can’t always do this, but instead choose to adhere to certain green practices. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
The amount you pay for the hotel room is determined by when you book it. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. If the hotel never rents the room they’ll get zero dollars for it, so most of the time they will give you a steep discount on it.
If you are planning on staying in a hotel room with your children, make sure you call the hotel in advance to ensure they provide a working pool or some other fun activities for your children to do. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.
Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
Checking in early may not be available. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. Usually, hotels have your room cleaned prior to check-in time. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.
When making your reservation for a room, specify when you need a roll-out bed or crib. Not every hotel will have these items available, and the ones that do only have limited quantities. In addition, there is sometimes an extra charge for these items. Ask about this before you finalize your reservations, to make sure your needs are fully met.
When you feel the need to check the room in your hotel for signs of bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. You probably won’t find any in there. So, that means it’s the best place to stash your luggage and other belongings as you inspect the remainder of your suite. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.
With the right advice, finding a nice hotel room at an affordable price is simple. So, when you are planing your next hotel stay, remember these tips and do your research. You will be able to find the perfect hotel room at an excellent price.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. Most hotels have designated smoking rooms. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.
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