There are so many factors to consider when choosing a hotel that doing so can seem overwhelming. So doing some research before doing anything else is important. Figure out your budget and the amenities you can’t live without. Continue reading to find these and other great tips about booking a hotel and making your stay pleasant.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. This gives you first-hand accounts of people’s experiences in each hotel. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. If you are in a hotel loyalty program, put your information in. If you have a membership in any other organization, put that down as well.
Get room service if you don’t want to leave. You will probably pay more for this meal, but for the convenience of having it delivered to your room, it is worth it.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.
Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. 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. Ask for an early check-in time if absolutely necessary.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. And, ask if your room can away from guests.
If you’re interested in the massage services of a hotel you intend to stay at, reserve your appointment ahead of time. Experience a truly special moment with a top masseur or masseuse by asking for your appointment well in advance.
If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. When you go running in a new city, you will get a free tour, up-close and personal.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. These programs give you points every time you stay there. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.
Vacation “green” if you are worried about the environment. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Many newer hotels are environmentally friendly. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.
Be sure to avoid hotel transfer fees by asking about them in advance. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. If you know this upfront, you can save more money.
Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. Members of AAA receive many travel benefits including reduced hotel rates and lower car rental rates. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Rather, use a web tool. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, but you will probably need their password and may have to pay a fee to use this service. Take advantage of these options to keep in touch with family, friends and coworkers rather than incurring high costs by using the hotel’s phone system.
If you are a smoker, know the smoking policy for the hotel in which you are staying. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke. If this is what you’re looking for, inquire about these rooms. A few hotels will charge you in the event that they discover you’ve been smoking in their rooms where it’s prohibited, so abide by the smoking rules.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you do not like pets, or you are allergic to them, then you should probably avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Depending on the hotel, you may be expected to pay extra for keeping a pet, but it isn’t usually a large sum. Depending on what the hotel is like, you might have to pay an extra cleaning fee.
If you are a parent who needs a roll-away or a crib in their hotel room, then you’ll need to call prior to making your reservation and find out if they are available. Some hotels don’t offer these amenities at all. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.
If possible, do not check out earlier than your scheduled departure day. The hotel might charge you a fee for early departure. Once you have confirmed your reservation, understand that the room is reserved for you, and the hotel loses money if you leave early. So, in leaving early you risk being charged a fee for early departure.
There’s plenty of different sources for bargain hotel rooms, as you’ve read above. Keep these tips and your research handy when you are booking your room. You will be staying at comfortable hotel at a great price.