Does your head spin when you think about picking a hotel to stay at during your next vacation? Is it tough to decide on a room that you think will suit your family’s needs? Relax, we’ve got it covered. Check out the tips below to make your next hotel stay amazing.
To enjoy a late-night meal with that special someone without having to leave the comfort of your hotel room, think about ordering some room service. Room service generally costs more than ordering out; however, it is nice to be able to order a meal in the middle of the night if you so choose.
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.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. They will also let you know what people pay on average when they go to that hotel. This lets you figure out if the deal you’re getting is a good one. On top of that, they can help you determine the cheapest destinations.
Search for the best deals in hotels online before making reservations. Often, the reservations clerk will not advise you that a better deal is available online. So, it’s up personally to you to go searching for such discounts. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.
You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. In addition, get specifics with regard to the pet policy, because only particular breeds or sizes of pets may be permitted at the hotel.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. Did you know that this membership entitles you to hotel discounts? It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. In time you may even get to stay there for free!
If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start with the bathroom. This is where you won’t find them. You can leave your bags there while you investigate the remainder of the room for bedbugs. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Figure out if you want a hotel you can or cannot smoke in. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. There are times when smokers end up staying in non-smoking rooms, and smoking in them. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
If you’ll need a rollaway or crib, make sure to mention it when booking the room. Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. Also, these things can cost extra. Discuss these needs when making your reservation to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Early Departure
Whenever possible, do not check out prior to the scheduled date of your departure. Some hotels charge early departure fees. When a hotel room is something you book, they are taking it away from other people and will lose some money if you leave early. They charge a fee for early departure to help compensate for the lost revenue.
If you are concerned about germs, don’t use the hotel bedspread. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.
Make sure you know your rights if any hotel ever tries to “walk” you. If your hotel overbooks, your room may not be available when you get there. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel. This should only be a last resort and the other accommodations should be just as good or better and your trip there should be paid for as well.
Avoid the bottled water! You may be thirsty and tired when you arrive. As a result, that bottle of water on the little fridge may look very good to you. Hotels have a huge profit margin on bottled water and know that you will be craving it when you arrive. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. The best idea, however, is to bring your own.
Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. If housekeeping notices that you’ve taken towels or linens, you may be billed for those items. It’s better to ask the hotel management if you can buy new ones of your own.
Now that you have read this article, you are much more informed on how to obtain a great hotel at a great deal. Just research everything and take your time before your decide on your choice. After you have reviewed your information, you will be in good shape in choosing the perfect hotel for your vacation.