Just about everybody has a story to tell about a bad hotel experience. It is an expensive mistake to make. These tips will make sure you get a perfect value.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
Make sure you check with any organizations of which you are a member. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. It is easy to forget about the discounts. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. It’s not uncommon for a hotel employee to not mention to you that it is possible to receive a great discount online. It is your duty to perform due diligence. Use popular websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway, or RueLalaTravel.
Upon arriving at your hotel, check your room before you unpack. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Do the plumbing fixtures function properly? Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.
Be clear about check-in time at the hotel you have booked. If you don’t know when you can check in, you may find your room is not ready when you arrive at your hotel. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.
If your pet is coming to a hotel with you, there are a few things you need to do in preparation. First, you’ll need to find out if a hotel is even pet-friendly. Bring along lots of plastic bags for clean ups. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.
If you are an AAA member, check into your membership hotel discount. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Green Hotels
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. The great thing is there are plenty of green hotels you can select from. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Check online or ask a travel agent for help.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Availability is one factor that plays a part in cost. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. You’ll end up with a great deal this way. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. Some places provide free car seats too.
Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Rather, use a web tool. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. Take advantage of these options to keep in touch with family, friends and coworkers rather than incurring high costs by using the hotel’s phone system.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. That makes the bathroom the safest place to keep the luggage while you look through the remainder of the accommodations. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Smoking Hotel
Inquire if the hotel is a non-smoking hotel. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. While you can book a non-smoking room, smoke can infiltrate your room and settle into your clothing. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
Remember, that early check-ins are a rarity in most hotels. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. Hotels need this time to clean and prepare your room. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.
Do not check out early. Hotels often charge early departure fees. You reserve a room when you book it, so if you leave early they lose money. That’s why they will charge you a fee for early departure.
Make sure you know your rights if any hotel ever tries to “walk” you. This is when a hotel is overbooked and they have no accommodations for you. The hotel will then “walk” you, or direct you to a different hotel. If you do choose to move, be sure that you get a better room and your travel is paid for.
Do not open that bottled water! After checking in you may be thirsty and tired. You may decide to reach for that bottle of water calling to you from the mini fridge. The hotel is counting on this, and as a result, they mark up the prices on the bottled water. Sometimes it is possible to get bottled water at no cost in the hotel gym. Plan ahead and bring your own bottled water.
Bad Hotel
Nobody wants a bad hotel experience. Regardless of how cheap the hotel is, staying in a bad hotel is not worth it. This could ruin your whole trip. Therefore, ensure you utilize the advice provided here in order to select the ideal hotel. Find the right hotel first, then call and start talking discounts and special rates.