You don’t want to feel as though the hotel got one over on you. Whether you’re charged too much money or the place isn’t what you expected, a bad experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Don’t let this happen to you, read this article and learn all you can.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Check for online reviews before making any reservations. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.
Put your electronics into the room’s safe. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.
Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Amenities such as complimentary WiFi, free local calls, complimentary breakfast, a gym and pool and a convenient restaurant are also important considerations. Shop around for a hotel that has the features that are most important to you.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, check for deals online. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal online. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
Take advantage of search tools online. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Is it without mildew and mold? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Do you have enough towels and linens? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. This is why it’s up to you to search for these discounts. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.
You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. Also ask exactly what they mean by pet-friendly, as there might be restrictions on certain breeds and sizes of pet that they allow on their premises.
When can you check in? Many people forget the time, then they show up early and the room isn’t ready yet. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Be sure that this hotel will be friendly to pets. Be sure to have plenty of plastic bags on hand to make pet cleanup easy. Ask for a corner room so that your pets’ noise doesn’t bother anyone else.
For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. You may save 50 percent or more.
If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
Pet Makes
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.
If you want to take your pet along on a trip, take care of three tasks before you leave. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. It is also a great idea to bring along some plastic bags to clean up when your pet makes a mess. When you call to make reservations, try getting a room away from other guests so any noise your pet makes won’t bother people.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.
If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. There are many great rewards even leading up to free stays as you gather up more loyalty points.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. This is the least likely place for bedbugs to be. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. It’s also safe for pets and kids this way.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. These hotel programs give you points for each stay. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
Before making a hotel reservation, learn the hotel’s policy on smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. 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 want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
Choose a green vacation if you care for the environment. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Some hotels are certified to be green. Some hotels that aren’t that new will pick out some ways to be more eco-friendly so they can show they care. Talk to a travel agent if you want to find hotels that are eco-friendly.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you have pet allergies or the noise from pets bothers you, you might want to avoid these hotels. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, and the charge is not much in some places. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.
In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. You can increase the amount you save by simply finding this information out in advance.
Don’t get that bottled water and open it! You may be thirsty and tired. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels know this very well, and that bottled water is exponentially more expensive than it should be. Sometimes the gym in the hotel will give you free bottled water. If not, hit a convenience store and save some money.
Avoid making long distance calls from the hotel room phone. Use 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.
You can save quite a bit on your next vacation when you choose to bundle your hotel room and flight. Use a travel site that has package deals, which include hotel, flight, and rental car. To get the best deal, compare the rates between several airlines and hotels.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows 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. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
You can save money by not booking a hotel room during tourist season. Usually, hotels charge their highest rates during these seasons. Instead, book during off-season for the best prices. You can get a better rate during this time.
What is the policy on pets? If you fear pets or have allergies it would be best if you make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.
To get good service and keep the mood happy all around, tip when the situation calls for it. In general, your room service charges take tipping into account, but that’s not normally the case with room cleaning. When you tip you, will get more respect and people will like you more, too.
Use these tips to avoid hotels that are not adequate. Looking out for yourself and choosing a good room based on the advice provided is going to help you fare better. When you stop at your hotel while on the road, you should be able to relax rather than be stressed and uncomfortable.
The price that the hotel advertises is usually not something you should pay. “Rack rate” refers to the premium price and you never have to pay that if you understand a few essential tips. However, hotels are aware that informed travelers will never pay this rate; therefore, they will have to compromise. Contact the hotel to see what kind of specials they are running. Be confident and bold. You can also locate great discounts by using travel websites.