Booking an inferior hotel can be nightmarish. It can cost you a lot of money, so you want to avoid it in the future. So use these tips to help you avoid a nightmare hotel and plan a dream trip.
To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. This will give you valuable information about the recent experiences of people at each hotel. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
You can find a lot of great deals on hotels if you go online and check out some of the travel sites out there. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. Additionally, there may be other price breaks for you through various organizations, like AAA or other exclusive clubs.
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. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. 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.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
Double-check your organizational memberships. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!
When you’re looking for the perfect hotel, there are a few different things you should always check for first. Of course you want to consider price, but you should also consider the hotel’s location. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Find a hotel room that includes all of the features that you demand. There’s sure to be one out there.
When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Are there enough of the right linens? 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.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. Finally, ask the hotel staff if you can have a room on the far end away from guests so that you don’t interfere with their visit.
For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. 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.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. That’s because the highest quality masseurs and masseuses are typically booked way in advance due to their good name. Therefore, by planning in advance, you can ensure you have the best possible experience during your massage.
Are you a member of the AAA? If so, find out about membership discounts at hotels. You may not have known that, but it’s true. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. The savings can really add up nightly.
If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, see about signing up for their frequent guest program. Just like frequent flyer mile programs, these hotel programs offer you points for your stay. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. There are several green hotels around. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. There are many benefits you may be able to get. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. 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. An empty room will earn the hotel no money; so, they generally slash the price.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Inquiring in advance will mean more savings for you.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. 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.
Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. They even throw in free car seats at most locations if you’re a parent.
To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Make use of the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. You can stay connected with friends, family and business colleagues this way, rather than making expensive long distance calls.
Check to see if the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. This could result in a charge for early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.
Always ask about the hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Some have smoking rooms. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. 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.
Avoid drinking bottled water from a hotel! After checking in you may be thirsty and tired. It is tempting to simply grab that refreshing bottle of water conveniently available in the mini-fridge. There is a huge mark-up in price because the hotel knows this fact. Check the hotel gym and see if they offer it for free. Or better yet, bring a few of your own bottles.
If it all possible, never check out before your scheduled departure date. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. Make sure you understand that you might be charged for an early departure.
Do not take anything from the hotel. If hotel staff notice that these items are missing, you may be billed for them. If you actually like the hotel’s stuff, ask if there is a way to purchase the items.
Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. You may arrive at your destination exhausted and thirsty. Opening the bottle in the mini-fridge is tempting. Hotels are really aware of this, and the water will cost you quite a bit more than it really should. Sometimes you can get a free water bottle in the hotel gym. It’s best to simply pack your own bottled water.
When traveling, booking your flight and hotel together will save you money. Use a travel site that has package deals, which include hotel, flight, and rental car. Always compare the prices from multiple hotels to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
A bad hotel will ruin your vacation. Even the best deal won’t be worth it if your hotel stay is a nightmare. Your trip and hotel experience is going to be ruined. Using these tips is a great way to succeed. Once you find a great hotel, enjoy!
Some rooms come with a view, while others do not. If prices are the same, ask for a room with a good view. A room with a view can take your vacation to another level. It never hurts to ask if there are rooms with better views available.
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