Have you ever booked a hotel room, only to find that the place wasn’t up to snuff when you arrived? If you have, you know how poorly this situation can turn out. However, you aren’t going to have to pay way too much on a hotel that’s nice, either. Read these tips to improve your skills when shopping for a hotel room.

Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These reviews can give you a customer’s perspective of the hotel you are planning on staying at. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.

Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a part of a loyalty program, make note of that. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.

Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. You can place your costly items that are small into their safe, and then you won’t have to worry about these things as you go out.

Many factors come into play as you choose a hotel. The location of the hotel may be just as important than the price. You may want free WiFi access, a convenient location, free long distance or a nice pool or gym. Look for a hotel that provides you with the amenities that are a priority to you.

Hotel Search

You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. 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. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. Many people show up before check-in time only to find out their room isn’t ready. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.

In order to get the best prices for hotel stays, you will want to plan your trip several weeks or months beforehand. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. You may even be able to cut the price down by half!

If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. The savings can really add up if you’re staying multiple nights.

Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Jogging around the city before you start your day will add enjoyment to your vacation. Even if you have to run down roads or the streets in the city, you can learn a lot more about the city when you get finished.

To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.

Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Instead, use the Internet. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Skype for your calls. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.

If you are worried about bed bugs, start your inspection in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. That makes it the perfect place to store your luggage while you inspect the rest of the premises for bedbugs. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.

Early Departure

If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. If you do, you may be charged a fee for early departure. Upon reserving a hotel room, you tie up that room in the hotel. This means that your early departure results in the hotel losing money. They charge a fee for early departure to help compensate for the lost revenue.

If you are particular about cleanliness, you probably shouldn’t use the hotel bedspread. Although hotels will wash the sheets that lie underneath the bedspread, the bedspread itself is not typically washed. That can mean it is full of germs, bacteria or who knows what else. Just remove this covering from the bed to have peace of mind.

Save money by booking your flight and hotel together. Online sites allow for bundles which lead to great discounts. In order to make sure you’re getting the best deal, make sure you do a few comparisons.

The information in this article should show you how you can find an outstanding hotel without needing to pay a lot. It’s simple to find good deals on hotel rooms when you know what you’re doing. Be sure to keep these tips in mind.