Making vacation arrangements often involves a significant amount of work. In addition to picking a place to visit and other specifics, you may also need to find a hotel to stay in. Making the wrong choice can spoil an otherwise great vacation. Continue reading to help you learn how to make the best decisions when it comes to booking your hotel.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. You will be able to see the most recent reviews. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
See if your organizational memberships offer any benefits. Some may offer discounts on hotels. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. Within a week’s time, you are basically getting a free night’s stay.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. They can provide you with an idea of the average rate charged by each hotel, so you will have a good idea as to whether or not the deal you are being offered is good. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.
Check your hotel room prior to unpacking. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
To get the lowest price on accommodations, plan your trip in advance. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to offer a discount if a room is booked a couple of months ahead of time. You can save up to 50 percent, even on elite hotel chains.
Although many hotels have certain rooms that allow pets, never assume your hotel will without researching ahead of time. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. Even jogging on pavement and alongside city avenues can provide you new perspective of any city that you visit.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. These are much more common today than they were in the past. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Especially in situations where the price of the room represents a major deal, the hidden cost of the transfer can often make the difference. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
If you choose the wrong hotel, it can ruin your vacation. Do your homework and plan ahead. You can make much better decisions when you know what to look for in the right hotel. It’s important so that you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Keep all of this information in mind while planning your next trip.