Everybody has to stay at a hotel at some time. Whether you want to stay in a hotel for business or personal reasons, you need to know what you’re looking for in one. Follow the tips presented here to get the best accommodations.

Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you in coming to the right decision.

What groups are you a member of? There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. If you stay for a week, these discounts will almost add up for a free night.

When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Amenities that you might personally want or need include a swimming pool or gym, on-site restaurant, continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi or local calls. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.

Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Don’t think that all hotels will be pet friendly. Therefore, make sure you call the hotel staff to confirm that they will allow pets. Even if they have a website that states pets are allowed, you should still call to confirm this. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.

If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Frequently, the best massage people will be booked by name. This means that if you book early, you’ll have a better experience.

If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. Go for a jog every 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.

Green Hotels

Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. Talk to your travel agent in order to find the best green hotels for your needs.

Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before 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.

If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. Then you can accrue points, get extra perks, and save money.

You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. Some hotels now provide Skype 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.

When you first arrive, inspect your hotel room’s bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. That is what makes it the best place to start. You can store your luggage there and search the rest of your room for those bedbugs. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.

Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Many hotels set aside certain rooms or wings for smoking guests. If that is the case, you should ask for one of those rooms. Some hotels charge large penalties if they find that smoking occured in a room not designated for it, so make sure you follow the hotel’s smoking rules.

Checking in early may not be available. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you check in. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.

If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Not every hotel offers these items, and the ones that do only have limited quantities. They may charge extra for this. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.

Try to avoid checking out of the hotel ahead of your scheduled checkout time. You may be charged a fee if you do. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. They charge a fee for early departure to help compensate for the lost revenue.

Most people visit a hotel at some point or another. Regardless of your reason, it is important that you do some preparation. You have just been provided with great tips to looking for a hotel; use them to your advantage.

By Alex