Almost everyone stays at hotel at some point, whether it is a trip for work or pleasure. Regardless of whether it is for business or pleasure, you need to know what you are doing. The following information will give you the best tips for booking a room and enjoying your stay.
Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. These websites have reviews and comments from people who have recent experience with their stay. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. Putting these items in the safe ensures that you can go out and have fun, not worrying about what you’ve left in the room.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. It is easy to forget about the discounts. If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. On this type of site, you can find out the average and discounted rates of most hotels. The websites can also help you decide the best time to take a trip and where you can eat, shop or sight-see.
Search for the best deals in hotels online before making reservations. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. You will have to learn how to find these great discounts yourself. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.
Know when check-in time is. Many hotel guests will forget their check-in time; therefore, they will arrive at the hotel just to discover that they cannot check in yet. Call the front desk to find out if it is alright for you to arrive before check-in.
You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Call them ahead of time to see if they are even if the website they’re on says yes. 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’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Resorts that have masseurs often have very fully booked massage schedules, so it is important to plan ahead.
Hotel Discounts
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. It may come as a surprise to find that an auto club membership offers hotel discounts, but that is the case. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. It really is a savings that adds up over time.
If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You might receive an upgrade at no cost or be allowed to check out later than others with your points.
If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. These programs usually work by letting you rack up points. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.
To make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
When traveling with children, check with the hotel ahead of time to ascertain that the pool is usable. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination anxiously looking forward to splashing around in the pool, only to find that it is closed.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. You probably won’t find any in there. That means that the bathroom is a great place to keep your bags while you check the rest of your accommodations for bedbugs. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.
Look into the hotel policy with regard to pets. 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 could have weird odors because of smells getting into the linens and the floor. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.
As previously mentioned, everyone stays in a hotel at one time or another. It isn’t that hard, but you could end paying too much or getting a sub-par room if you do it incorrectly. You’ve just read some really great advice; now, put it to good use and have fun!