Many people enjoy every aspect of their vacation except for the hotel that they chose. The place you stay greatly affects how much you enjoy your vacation. You have to pick the right spot for the best experience. Read this article for some helpful advice.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Room service is one of the best parts about a hotel. How else could you possibly enjoy a midnight snack without leaving your bed? The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Consider the benefits of any organization memberships you have. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. A stay of 5 days or more could add up to one free hotel night stay!
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. These discounts are often neglected; however, they can save you upwards of ten percent. These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
You want to look at a number of different things when booking a hotel stay. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. The cost is important but hardly the only factor to keep in mind. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
Ask when you’re able to check into the room. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.
Check your room when you arrive. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
Be sure and take care of three important things before bringing a pet on your trip to any hotel. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. 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.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
Think about going on a “green” vacation. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Newer hotels are sometimes built according to green standards. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
Book massages as early as possible. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. AAA offers their members good discounts on hotels, car rental and other aspects of travel. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.
If you are a member of AAA, ask about a hotel discount. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. These savings can really add up if you travel often.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Look to the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
Green Hotels
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.
People who care about the environment may be more comfortable staying in a hotel that is eco-friendly. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. 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. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.
If you smoke, you should understand the hotel’s policy about smoking before you book a room. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. So be sure to request one of these rooms. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
Check to see if the hotel allows pets. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. Also, pet friendly hotels may have lingering odors that have been absorbed by carpeting or linens. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. If the hotel allows animals in any room, then you may want to book elsewhere if you have allergies.
Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Look to the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. If you do, then you could be charged an extra departure fee for early checkout. Whenever you reserve a room, it isn’t available to anyone else and the hotel will lose money if you cancel. That is why you are charged a fee.
Check with the hotel to make sure the pools are ready to go if you are traveling with children. There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.
Do not open that bottled water! Once you check-in and start to unwind, you will probably feel very thirsty. Finding a cold bottle of water in the little refrigerator may present a temptation. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. Some hotels give free bottles of water to their guest in their gyms. Better still, pack a few bottles of your own.
It is not always possible to check-in early. Be sure you plan according to this rule unless you desire to sit in the lobby for quite some time. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. They might be lovely, but you will be charged for them. Ask if you can buy the linens from the hotel if you like them a lot.
You can get great accommodations even if you’re sticking to your budget when you know what to look for. In this article, we have shared some smart ideas for finding good accommodations. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Keep in mind all that you learned here and you will reserve a great room at an affordable hotel.
If you wish to get an upgrade in a hotel, try getting one without paying anything. An excellent method of achieving an upgrade is simply showing up for your room right on time. If the room you are booked for has not been cleaned yet, you may be offered a better room at no additional charge.
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