How many times have you heard people say that their vacation was great, except for the terrible hotel accommodations? Picking the right hotel helps lead to vacation success. Not only do you want to stay in a decent hotel with nice amenities, you also want it to come with a reasonable rate. Keep reading to find out more.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some 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.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. Of course you want to consider price, but you should also consider the hotel’s location. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Seek out hotels that offer amenities that appeal to you.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought 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.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean? Do the plumbing fixtures function properly? Do you have all the towels and linens 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.
When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.
There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Are there enough linens and towels? If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. They work a lot like frequent flier miles do with airlines. You earn points in a similar way. These points can be used to earn free nights, discounts and more.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
The price for any give hotel room is going to affected by how early you book the room. Rooms are often priced in accordance with availability. Don’t book a room more than a day in advance. This will get you the best hotel rates. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.
If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. 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 those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Your membership may entitle you to hotel discounts. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. This really adds up when you are staying for many nights.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. Also, if you require a car seat, the rental company may provide you with one if you are a member of AAA.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. Spending time on the road with your own two feet will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.
Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Instead, use the Internet. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. The rewards can include free room upgrades, free meals and movie or show tickets tickets. The points can add up.
If you want to ensure happy kids while traveling, call the hotel ahead of time to check that the pools are open and in working order. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.
Try out a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, then you should probably stay away from hotels that allow smoking. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. Smokers often don’t care that their room is non-smoking, too. 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 must make a hotel transfer, find out about the fees. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Asking about this beforehand will help to maximize your savings.
Learn about the smoking policies if you smoke. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. When you stay at a hotel, you get points you can use later on.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel permits guests to have pets in the rooms. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don’t always charge a lot. It does take extra effort and expense to take care of pets issues and some hotels do not take the time necessary.
To make reserving a hotel easy, use AAA. You’ll get discounts on hotel rooms, easier car rentals and more benefits. Parents can also often enjoy a free car seat that comes with some rentals.
You should be aware that early hotel check ins are not always possible. Be sure to plan your arrival with that in mind, or you may be sitting in the lobby area for some time. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. If they do, ask for this type of room. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.
If a hotel tries to “walk” you, know what your rights are. There may be times when a hotel overbooks, leaving with no room. This is known as “walking” a customer. If you cannot avoid this situation, you need to be booked at a comparable hotel or upgraded room for your troubles.
If you look around, you will find great deals. The tips here have given you a great start. Your dream reservation doesn’t have to prove the priciest one. Follow the advice presented here to find an affordable hotel.
When traveling, booking your flight and hotel together will save you money. A lot of websites for travel will give you quite a bit of savings for you if you reserve a hotel and a rental car or flight together. To get the most from this service, compare rates of several different hotels and airlines.
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