It can be overwhelming to book a hotel room. Research proves crucial as a result. Write down what you want and how much you are willling to pay, then start planning. You will enjoy your hotel stay by using the following advice.
There are plenty of websites that offer reviews for local hotels, for example TripAdvisor. Use these websites to review a hotel before you make the actual reservation. These will give you some information from people that have stayed at that certain hotel. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
What groups are you a member of? You may be able to receive discounts on hotel through these organizations. Some of these discounts can be pretty substantial, but many people don’t take advantage of them. These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. Over the course of a week it’s nearly a free night!
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Price is one, but a prime location is another. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.
There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. Often, the only way to learn about discounts is to look online. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. RueLaLaTravel, SniqueAway and Jetsetter are all good Internet sites to check with.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Is it clean and free of mold and mildew? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Are there enough linens and towels? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. Those discounts add up to great savings, especially if you will be having an extended stay.
Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.
If you often stay at a certain type of hotel, ask about the “frequent stay” program. Just like frequent flyer mile programs, these hotel programs offer you points for your stay. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Fortunately, there are many green hotels available nowadays. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
Discuss what a hotel transfer will cost you prior to actually booking anything. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use Skype. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.
Moking Hotel
Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. The smoke flows through the hotel and can stick to you. Sometimes a smoker will get a non smoking room and still smoke in it. Choose a non-smoking hotel to a smoke smell on your clothes.
Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. A lot of places will have smoker’s rooms. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.
As shown above, there are many ways to ensure you get the right hotel room at a price that fits your budget. Keep these tips in mind when looking for a hotel room. You’ll be comfortable and won’t overspend.
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