When you’re planning a vacation, there’s a lot of hard work to be done before you even leave the house. You need to pack your luggage and either gas up the car or get ready for a flight. But, you also have to remember to make reservations at a hotel. For some great tips on doing so, keep reading.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. These sites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. What people say about a hotel can help you figure out where you should be staying.
Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. Are you a member of a certain hotel’s membership program? If so, make sure you put this information into the travel site. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
When thinking about selecting a hotel, there are quite a few salient points to consider. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. Other amenities that people look for are a gym, pool, free local phone calls, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.
To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. Use these websites to your advantage! Not only will they show the best deals, but they’ll also include extra information about the rooms, floor plans, and even reviews from other customers. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Is it clean? Are all bathroom fixtures in proper working order? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. 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. If you might arrive prior to check-in time, try calling the hotel and seeing if the room is available.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Check to see if the hotel actually permits pets. In addition, take along some plastic bags to pick up your pet’s mess. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Frequently, the most skilled massage specialists at the best hotels are reserved by name, so when you plan ahead, you can get the best.
Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? There are discounts at hotels around the country of 5 percent or more. This can add up on a long trip.
How much you pay for a hotel room depends on when you book your room. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This will get you the best hotel rates. The hotel is not going to make any money on a room that is unoccupied, which is why the reduce the price.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. 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.
If you are inspecting a room for bed bugs, then the bathroom is the best place to start. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. It is a good place for pets or children to wait for a couple minutes as well.
Be aware that it is normally not possible to check into a hotel early. Therefore, don’t show up hours in advance, or you may be sitting around waiting for a while. It is usually necessary for hotels to service your room prior to allowing you to check in. You can inquire about checking in early, but do not expect that you’re going to be able to do it.
Early Departure
If possible, don’t check out earlier than intended. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. This is why they have the departure fee, to get their money back that they would have otherwise lost.
Don’t drink the water! You may be very thirsty upon arrival. You can be tempted to casually open that bottled water beckoning on the mini-fridge. Hotels know this and charge more for bottled water. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. An even better option is to pack your own bottled water for when you arrive.
Getting a good hotel booked will be a very important part of any trip. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big vacation with the entire family or just a business trip; your choice of hotel has a large impact on your stay. Keep these tips in mind as you book your next hotel stay.