Have you had friends that loved their vacation, except for the hotel? The comfort of your accommodations adds a great deal to the enjoyment of your vacation. Not only do you want to stay in a decent hotel with nice amenities, you also want it to come at a reasonable price. Keep reading for more tips.

Prior to choosing and reserving a hotel room, check review sites online like TripAdvisor or Expedia. This lets you know what others’ experiences have been like. What others say will help you make a wise decision.

Use travel websites to find the most competitive prices for hotel chains online. If you are a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to indicate this when searching for rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.

Hotel Safe

Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.

Look at organizations you’re part of for discounts. Many organizations provide hotel discounts for members. Some discounts can be over ten percent! They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. This can also net you a free hotel night.

When thinking about selecting a hotel, there are quite a few salient points to consider. Price is one, but a prime location is another. Amenities like free WiFi, fitness facilities, a pool and free meals may also be important considerations. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.

Utilize the Internet when searching for a hotel. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. Hotel search websites also let you see the regular rates of hotels, so you can compare and see whether a supposed deal is really a good one. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.

Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.

When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly check your room previous to unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Are the toilet, shower and sink functioning properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.

Know when check-in time is. Some people forget to find out what time they are allowed in their room; they show up at the hotel only to find their room is not yet ready. Therefore, if you anticipate arriving early, call the hotel in advance and see if it is possible to check in early.

Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. This can save you as much as 40 percent off of the cost of your hotel.

If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Running in a city allows you to see things other travelers miss.

Join a frequent customer program if you stay at the same hotel chain a lot. These are similar to frequent flyer programs. They allow you to accrue points during your hotel stay. These points can be traded in for restaurant discounts, tickets to shows, free nights at the hotel, and much more.

If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. Each hotel stay can accrue points towards vacation perks.

Become a AAA member if you want to make arranging hotel accommodations a bit simpler. If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. Some places provide free car seats too.

If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. You probably won’t find any bedbugs in the bathroom. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. Not to mention a great place for your children and pets too.

Smoking Rooms

Check to see if your prospective hotel is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a nonsmoker, you may want to avoid hotels that offer smoking rooms. You may be able to get a non smoking rooms still, but you can get smoke in the air which will stick to you. Also, people may rent a non-smoking room and smoke in it. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.

Reviews whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. Depending on what hotel you choose, the fee charged might or might not cover any extra cleaning required.

You can find great accomodations, even on a budget, if you know how to look. Hopefully, the tips you just read will help you have a great experience at your next hotel. Your dream reservation doesn’t have to prove the priciest one. Keep all of this in mind when looking for the perfect hotel deal.