Whether vacationing or traveling for business, most people use hotels. For both business and pleasure, it’s important to understand what you should seek in a good hotel. These tips will help you out.

Before you choose a hotel and make reservations, check online review sites, such as TripAdvisor. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Factor former guests’ reviews into your final decision.

Make use of online tools to find a hotel. You can use such websites to discover great deals with ease and speed. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. These travel sites also list activities available in your area.

Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. You might not learn from the person on the phone that you can actually get great discounts over the Internet, instead. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.

For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!

If you want a nice massage for you and your loved one, book that as early as possible. Frequently, the most skilled massage specialists at the best hotels are reserved by name, so when you plan ahead, you can get the best.

If you are a daily runner, make sure you pack exercise clothes and a GPS watch. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.

Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. They offer perks to folks who frequent their hotel. You can score things like complimentary upgrades, later check-out options and even free nights once you accumulate enough loyalty program points.

How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. Book your room more the day before you need it if you can. This will get you a great price on your room. Hotels are often happy to slash prices on impending vacancies since they will get nothing if they can’t book the room.

You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. Especially if you’re in a situation where the room’s price is a really good deal, the price of your transfer can make a big difference. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.

Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.

Try to avoid long distance calling in hotel rooms. If you don’t have a cell phone or the Internet, buy a calling card to keep with you during your trip. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. This will help you converse with those back home without racking up a lofty bill.

Always know the hotel smoking policy wherever you stay if you personally smoke. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. If they do, ask for this type of room. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so be sure to adhere to the hotel’s rules with regard to smoking.

Extra Charge

Check to see if the hotel allows pets. If you fear or are allergic to pets, you might want to avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.

When reserving your room, be sure to ask for a roll-away bed or crib if you will be in need of these extra sleeping accommodations. Most hotels will supply these items on request, but they do have a limited supply. Additionally, there may be an extra fee for these items. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.

If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. The hotel might charge you an early departure fee. When you make your reservation, the hotel can’t offer the room to someone else, so they lose money if you leave early. So, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.

When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! Hotels routinely overbook, which means that you could find that there is no room available for you when you arrive at the hotel. The hotel will then send or “walk” you to another hotel. It’s best to avoid this, but if you can’t, be sure you are going to a better hotel and getting a better room.

People have to stay in hotels from time to time. No matter what your reasoning for needing to stay in one, it’s crucial to do your homework first. Follow the advice presented here to get great value in hotel accommodations.