Having a disastrous hotel stay is something that almost everyone has experienced. This can be expensive and unpleasant, so you need to avoid it if you can. Use the following tips to make sure that you get a nice hotel room without having to spend a lot of money.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.
You can enjoy a romantic dinner in your room by calling room service. Although you will probably have to spend more money to do this, it’s usually worth the cost because you have the luxury of receiving excellent food without having to leave your hotel room.
Take advantage of the safe you have in your room, especially if you have electronics with you. Place all electronics there along with important documents, such as your passport or plane tickets.
Take advantage of tools provided online when searching for a hotel. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. Finally, they can help you determine when you’d like to travel and what you’d like to do when you’re there.
Look for deals online. Hotels don’t usually advertise their lowest rates, so you may have to ask. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Is the room free of mildew and mold and clean? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Do you have enough towels and linens? If there are any obvious problems, report them to the front desk immediately so that they can be taken care of or you can be moved to a different room.
Make certain you know when your check-in time is. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. A hotel may be pet-friendly, but still has restrictions against certain breeds or animals. Find out ahead of time if your pet is acceptable.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Make sure it’s a pet-friendly hotel. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
Book massages as early as possible. Often the best masseurs and masseuses at top resorts are booked by name, so if you do your planning early, you can make your experience sublime.
AAA members get an extra discount at certain hotel chains. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.
If you tend to return to the same family of hotels for your vacation, consider joining their membership reward programs. These are similar to frequent flyer programs. They allow you to accrue points during your hotel stay. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
Green Hotels
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Luckily, you can choose from quite a few green hotels these days. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. Hotel transfer costs can be extremely large, especially in hotels that appear to offer an incredible deal on their room rates. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.
Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Instead, you should try the Internet. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, but you will probably need their password and may have to pay a fee to use this service. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
Smoking Rooms
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you are not a smoker, you might want to avoid hotels with smoking rooms. You may rent a non-smoking room, however, the smoke from the smoking rooms can still be present in the air and make your clothes smell like it. In addition, previous travelers could have smoked in the room, even if it is a non-smoking room. Too avoid exposure to the smell of cigarette smoke, it may be best to stay at a non-smoking hotel.
Booking a horrible hotel is an awful experience for anyone to endure. Even the best deal won’t be worth it if your hotel stay is a nightmare. Either way, your trip could be ruined. So using the guidelines from above is the best way to find the right hotel. Once you choose the one you want, you will also know how to get the discounts that make it real deal.
