It takes work to plan a vacation. You have to worry about choosing a locale, finding transportation and booking a good hotel. If you slack off in either department, then it could take away from the vacation experience for everyone involved. In this article we will share advice on booking a great hotel.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. Sure, it might cost a bit more, but it is completely worth it to be able to kick back and relax, while your food comes to you.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.
Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
Consider the benefits of any organization memberships you have. Some of these organizations will offer you discounts on hotel prices. These discounts are often forgotten about, and they can provide significant savings. If your stay will be for multiple nights, these discounts can save you lots of money. It may equate to one whole free night.
What groups are you a member of? Some may offer discounts on hotels. You may save ten percent or more. They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. That’s almost an extra free night throughout an entire week.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. Other amenities that people look for are a gym, pool, free local phone calls, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Try to find a hotel that offers as many of your desired amenities as possible.
Check your room when you arrive. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Do you have enough towels and linens? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
When can you check in? Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. You may save 50 percent or more.
To get a good price when you want a hotel room, get your trips planned quite a few weeks or so in advance. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.
If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.
Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. Many people are surprised to see hotel discounts included with their auto club membership. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Some older hotels choose to use eco-friendly practices as well, making them a good green option. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you wish to get a lot out of a hotel stay, especially if you’re traveling for your business, get a membership program and join it like what the Marriott or Choice Hotels offers. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
Environmentalists can now enjoy a green vacation. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
One way to get discounts on hotel rooms is to join AAA. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. Getting this information ahead of time will maximize your savings.
In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Using the Internet is a better option. 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.
Being a AAA member has many advantages when it comes to booking a hotel room. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. At some locations they even offer free car seats.
Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel’s swimming pool is working, There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
See what the pet policy is at the hotel. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels which do not have a pet-friendly policy. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. You may get charged extra for having a pet, but a lot of places don’t charge all that much. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
Be aware that it is normally not possible to check into a hotel early. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. Hotels use these in between hours to make sure rooms are cleaned and ready for the next occupant. If you do get to the hotel early, ask at the front desk if you can possibly check in early, but there is a chance you won’t be able to.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
If you are particular about cleanliness, you probably shouldn’t use the hotel bedspread. The bedspread isn’t washed often, while the sheets are. It can carry a lot of germs. Simply remove it from your bed.
Don’t allow a terrible hotel to ruin your vacation. Take the time to plan your trip and research your hotel options. With the right information, the easier it is to book the ideal hotel. You should be able to enjoy every aspect of your vacation, including your hotel. When you are planning your next vacation, use the information that you read here.
If you are looking for a lower rate before you book a hotel, then don’t book a room during the peak season. That is when you’ll pay the highest rates. Instead you should try booking a room when it’s not peak season as this is when a hotel wants more visitors. You can get a better rate during this time.
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