Your hotel accommodations can make or break your vacation experience. Considering the costs of hotels, it is important that you know what to look for (and what to avoid) when you are making a reservation. These tips will help you find the best value.
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.
A number of factors all need consideration in your hotel reservation process. You should look at the price, but you should also look at the location that is most convenient for what you want to do. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
Check the Internet for the best deals before you book a hotel room during your next trip. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. It is your responsibility to find these discounts. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance. With elite brands, this can translate into savings of up to 50 percent.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. The best massage therapists are usually booked up for months ahead of time, and you don’t want to miss out.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.
It may be wise to look into loyalty programs that your favorite hotels offer. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. 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 want to work on saving the environment, a green vacation is something to look into. Fortunately, many green hotels exist nowadays. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. Those with youngsters will be grateful for the free car seats.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. This saves you a ton of money.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. 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. Sometimes, smokers book rooms that are non-smoking and smoke anyway. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.
You should be aware of the hotel’s policy concerning 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. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
As you can see, doing just a bit of preparation and research can help you get a great hotel and a great discount. You need to what you should be looking for and when the best time is to book. Remember these tips and you will find a room that is right for you.