The hotel where you stay can be paradise or a very expensive nightmare. Hotels are expensive, so this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The tips below will help you book a great hotel.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You may also be able to get good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Room service can make your stay more enjoyable. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. What about free breakfast, local calls, wifi or swimming pool? Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.
You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. You can use such websites to discover great deals with ease and speed. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Prior to making a hotel reservation, do some research online in order to discover the best deals. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.
Quick Check
Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. If you can book a couple of months early, a lot of locations will give you a steeper discount. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. 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 taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. Remember to bring bags so that you can pick up your pet’s waste when you travel. Finally, ask the hotel staff if you can have a room on the far end away from guests so that you don’t interfere with their visit.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. This can add up on a long trip.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. For an early morning jog, get up and throw your gear on, and then head out the front door. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Rooms are priced based on availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms don’t make money, so hotels slash prices to fill the building.
Distance Calls
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Utilize the Internet, instead. You’ll often find hotels have free Wi-Fi, which allows for Skype calling long distance numbers for free. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
Call ahead of arrival to see if the pool is open to keep the family happy. There are few things as frustrating as showing up to a hotel, with your kids chomping at the bit to get in the pool, only to have it closed for repairs.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you’re scared of pets or have allergies, you may not want to stay in a pet friendly hotel. Pet odor lingers. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.
If you have to get a rollaway or a crib, you need to let them know when you’re making the reservation. Some hotels don’t offer these amenities at all. Additionally, there may be an extra fee for these items. Ask about this before you finalize your reservations, to make sure your needs are fully met.
Just a small amount of preparation makes your trip much easier. More preparation, even easier. You need to what you should be looking for and when the best time is to book. So keep the above suggestions in mind so you ensure you find the perfect hotel that will fit all your needs.