When planning a trip, there are many things to do. Your preparations include packing, purchasing plane tickets or gassing up the car. You should also make a reservation at a good hotel. For some great tips on doing so, keep reading.
Use websites like Orbitz and Expedia for great prices. Input your loyalty info when you are looking for rates online. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
Put your electronics into the room’s safe. Place all electronics there along with important documents, such as your passport or plane tickets.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. People often forget about these discounts, which can be 10% or more. This can lead to a great amount of money saved, especially for those spending multiple nights at the hotel. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. These websites can help you quickly find great deals. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.
If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name. This means that if you book early, you’ll have a better experience.
Auto Club
Use your AAA discount at hotels. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
If there’s a hotel chain you stay at often, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. You should be able to earn points every time you are visiting one of the hotels. These points can quickly add up to many perks such as a free night, discounts at the hotel restaurants, spa deals and much, much more.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. By choosing a hotel that does not allow smoking, you can completely avoid the smell of cigarettes.
Always find out the pet policy at any hotel you stay at. If you are allergic to animals, you should probably avoid staying in hotels that allow people to bring their pets. Pet odor lingers. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, and the charge is not much in some places. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. If you check out early, you could be liable for early checkout fees. Upon reserving a hotel room, you tie up that room in the hotel. This means that your early departure results in the hotel losing money. That’s why they will charge you a fee for early departure.
If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. The bedspread isn’t washed often, while the sheets are. This means they may be a hotbed of germs. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.
You have rights in the event where a hotel needs to “walk” you. There may be times when a hotel overbooks, leaving with no room. As a result, hotels will attempt to escort you to another hotel. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
When you are planning to travel, finding the right hotel is key. It does not matter if you are traveling for business or pleasure, staying at the perfect hotel can give you a better travel experience. The next time you need to stay at a hotel, keep these tips in mind.