Feeling like someone has taken advantage of you is never a good thing, especially when it comes to a hotel. Whether you’re charged too much money or the place isn’t what you expected, a bad experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Instead of running into these types of problems, pay attention the following advice so that you can enjoy your next hotel stay.
Before you pick out your hotel you’re going to reserve a spot at, check out review sites online like TripAdvisor. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
Use hotel search tools online. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are there enough linens and towels? This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. 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.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. You can still enjoy your early morning jog while on vacation if you have your gear and the right room booked. Even if you’re running down the city streets of roads, it will give you a new perspective of the city that you’re visiting.
Green Hotels
Try out a green vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Many new hotels are certified as green hotels. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Finding hotels that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as asking your favorite travel agent.
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. Ask the hotel representative ahead of time to make sure you get the most savings.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. You can access Skype with the Internet connection at your hotel. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
If you want to inspect a hotel room for bed bugs, start 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’s safe for pets and kids too.
Determine whether or not the hotel you are considering allows smoking or not. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. Even if you book a non-smoking room, smoke can enter your room through air vents. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. Think about staying at a hotel that is totally nonsmoking if you don’t want to stink when you check out.
If you’ll need a rollaway or crib, make sure to mention it when booking the room. Some hotels do not offer cribs or rollaways; while others have a limited number of them. They may charge extra for this. Therefore, when booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about these things so that you are prepared.
Avoid leaving your hotel before your scheduled date of departure. The hotel may charge a fee for early departure. When you book a hotel room, the hotel takes that room off the market; thus, if you depart early they will lose money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
Use these tips to avoid hotels that are not adequate. By knowing what to look out for and how to spot a great deal, you will have a better experience. When you’re on the road and you stop at a hotel, it’s time to relax not time to be made uncomfortable and unhappy.