Most people have to stay in a hotel from time to time. It’s unfortunate, but too many people learn too late that the room they booked is a bad one because they didn’t know what to look for. You’re in luck! You will learn everything you need to know to have a successful trip.
Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. What people say about a hotel can help you figure out where you should be staying.
Do some research on travel websites before you book any hotel. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.
Many things must be considered when choosing the right hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. It can add up to almost a free hotel night!
Know when you are able to check in and get your room. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
When you’re looking for the perfect hotel, there are a few different things you should always check for first. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. Internet access, pools, fitness centers and breakfast offered are a few other things to consider. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.
If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. First, inquire as to whether the hotel really is a pet-friendly place. Also, take a good supply of plastic bags, such as grocery bags, to clean up after your pet. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.
Use hotel search tools online. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
If you have a AAA membership, it may qualify you for a hotel discount. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. The savings can really add up nightly.
To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. These are similar to frequent flyer programs, offering points each time you stay at a particular chain. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Don’t think that all hotels will be pet friendly. Even if the website says they are pet-friendly, always call in advance to verify. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
The cost of your hotel room largely depends on the dates on which you plan to stay there. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This will allow you to get a great price on a hotel room. Empty rooms don’t earn the hotel money, so they’re happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
If you’d like to bring Fido on your next trip, you must make some advance plans. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. In addition, you will need numerous plastic bags and cleaning supplies so that you can make sure you clean up any messes your pet makes. You should also see if you can get a room near the end part of the hallway to make sure other guests don’t have to put up with pet noise.
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. When you do that, you accumulate points for every stay, and that can add up to free nights or vacation discounts.
To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
You can get great hotel discounts by becoming a member of AAA. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. You can earn things like free upgrades, complimentary late check-out times and free stays if you accrue enough loyalty points.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
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If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. This makes it an ideal spot to put your luggage as you check out the rest of your room for bedbugs. It’s also safer to the pets and kids you may have.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
Ask if your possible hotel reservation is either smoking or non. If you are not a smoker, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you are a non-smoker, be sure to request a non-smoking room in a non-smoking area of the hotel or you can find a hotel that is completely smoke free.
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning pets. People who are allergic to pets obviously want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. One hotel may charge guests an arm and a leg to bring their pet, while others don’t. It might not cover deep cleaning.
Being a member of AAA makes travel very easy. The discounts at many hotel chains and deals on car rentals can more than pay for the AAA membership fees. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
In most cases, an early check-in just isn’t possible. Plan to arrive at the proper check-in time so you don’t find yourself wandering around the hotel’s lobby for hours. Most hotels clean and prepare rooms at a certain time, so that they are ready for check-in. If you should happen to get there early, ask at the desk about early check-in, but your request may not be granted.
If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. Bedbugs are least likely to live here. This makes the perfect location to place your belongings while you inspect your hotel room for bedbugs. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. The hotel might charge you a fee for early departure. Booking that room means it wasn’t available when others were reserving. Make sure you understand that you might be charged for an early departure.
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. Even if you reserve a non-smoking room, the smell of smoke can circulate through the hotel’s air vents and cause your clothes to pick up the odor. Also, people may rent a non-smoking room and smoke in it. Think about staying at a hotel that is totally nonsmoking if you don’t want to stink when you check out.
If you are concerned about germs, you might want to take the bedspread off of the bed. The blankets and sheets under the bedspread are typically washed between guests, however the top cover is not. This bedspread is where you would find the bacteria and germs. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.
To summarize, there are going to be times when you have to book a hotel room. You may be displeased with your hotel decision if you do not research it ahead of time. Follow the advice presented here to get the best value in a hotel room.
Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. When you get checked in you might feel thirsty and a little tired. That bottle of water in the mini fridge can be might tempting. The hotel is counting on this, and as a result, they mark up the prices on the bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. Even better, bring along a few of your own bottles.
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