It is rare to find a person who hasn’t had a bad experience booking a less than desirable hotel at one point or another. This can be expensive and unpleasant, so you need to avoid it if you can. So use these tips to help you avoid a nightmare hotel and plan a dream trip.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. While it may cost more, it is more convenient to remain in your room while satisfying your hunger.
You can enjoy a romantic dinner in your room by calling room service. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It’s your job to find them yourself. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
When get to your hotel, inspect the room before unpacking. Is it clean? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are there enough of the right linens? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. You must consider price of course, and you might want to be close to a specific location within the city you’re staying. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Not every hotel allows pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Also, speak to them about what they’re meaning by pet-friendly because they may not allow specific breeds or certain sizes of pets.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Make sure the room is entirely clean and free from any mildew or mold. Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If there are any obvious problems, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Try enjoying an early jog at your new destination. This can be a great way to stay in shape while seeing some of the local scenery. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. These programs give you points every time you stay there. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Hotels that have been around for a while may employ a variety of eco-friendly practices. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.
Always book early for that special couples massage for you and your loved one. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
When you book has a huge impact on your final bill. Rooms are typically priced according to availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Loyalty Program
Consider joining a membership program if you travel often. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. A loyalty program offers many benefits. There are many great rewards even leading up to free stays as you gather up more loyalty points.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Utilize the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer wi-fi, making it possible for you to use Skype. Use these connections to keep in touch instead of costly long distance calls.
Try not to make long distance calls from your hotel room. Utilize the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
Your children will be happy when you call the hotel to make sure their pool is open and working. It can be extremely frustrating if you arrive at your hotel only to find out the pool is shut down for maintenance.
Ask if there is smoking allowed in the hotel. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. Although certain hotels that allow smoking will provide guests with non-smoking rooms, smoke will still be in the air. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. If you just can’t stand the smell of stale smoke, look for a hotel that doesn’t allow it at all.
If you’re a smoker, then make sure you get a hotel with a smoking room. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. While it is possible to book a nonsmoking room, you can still be affected by the smoke from other areas. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
You should be aware whether or not the hotel permits guests to have pets in the rooms. If you are allergic to pets, avoid pet friendly hotels. Also, pet friendly hotels may have lingering odors that have been absorbed by carpeting or linens. Extra fees are sometimes imposed by hotels for guests who bring pets, but sometimes the fee is not too high. The fee may be for any cleaning that needs to be done.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. The smells tend to stick around. Certain hotels will charge guests extra for keeping pets in the room; however, many hotels’ extra charge is very little. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.
Know what the industry term “walk” means when booking a room. You might find that a room you booked isn’t available when you arrive because they overbooked. This is known as “walking” a customer. Avoid this if you can, but if you must go someplace else, make sure the room you get is comparable to the one you booked, and you are paid to travel there.
No one should have to spend their vacation in a bad hotel. If you have a lousy experience, the cheap price will not matter. The trip will be a bust in any event. That is why you should use the tips above to find a great hotel. Once you find a hotel that you like, you’ll need to locate all of the discounts available online to truly make it a great trip.
When traveling, booking your flight and hotel together will save you money. Travel booking sites often provide significant discounts for combining your room and flight and perhaps even a rental car. Then, compare rates for several airlines and hotels for the best price.
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