There are countless hotels across the country, ranging from small, outdated shabby motels by the road to luxurious five-star establishments. Your choice in hotels can make the difference between a good trip and a bad one. You will be able to use the following information to help ensure you select the right hotel.
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. While this could cost you a little more, it will be worth it because you can stay in your room and take care of the cravings you’re having.
Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Sometimes you can get discounted hotel prices through these organizations. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. This can result in significant savings, especially for longer stays. This can also net you a free hotel night.
Use hotel search tools online. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Finally, they can help you determine when you’d like to travel and what you’d like to do when you’re there.
When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Are there enough linens and towels? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
Do not make the assumption that your pets are welcome at all hotels. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
To make sure that you get a couple’s massage when you’re staying somewhere, get your appointment booked as early as you are able to. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
Hotel Discounts
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.
If you want to keep up the running regimen you have while traveling you should get your GPS watch packed with some running clothes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. These are much more common today than they were in the past. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Older hotels might change practices to be more green. Finding hotels that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as asking your favorite travel agent.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. A transfer can sometimes come with a substantial hidden cost. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. You may be able to ask for a non-smoking room, however smoke can still travel through the air, settling on your clothing. It is not unheard of for those who smoke to stay in non-smoking rooms and proceed to smoke. To avoid the experience of breathing in smoke during your stay, try to stay in a hotel that doesn’t allow smoking.
Understand the smoking rules in your hotel, especially if you smoke. A lot of places have specific rooms just for people who smoke. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.
Extra Cleaning
Know your hotel’s policy on pets prior to booking with them. It may be best to stay clear of hotels that accept pets if you are afraid of dogs or are allergic to pets. These hotels may also have an odor due to the smells sinking in the floor and linens. Some hotels only allow pets in certain rooms and charge more for the room because they do extra cleaning to ensure it is up to standards after each guest. Depending on what the hotel is like, you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee.
A lot of people just book the first room that they find and don’t bother doing research for the perfect one. Taking this approach can lead to disaster. You do not want to book a bad hotel room, so read on to learn more about getting the right one.