There are a multitude of things to consider when booking a hotel room, such as the location, price and amenities. This is why researching beforehand is essential. Set your budget, list what accommodations you want and begin planning. Remember the following advice as you conduct your search.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.
What groups are you a member of? Many of them offer hotel discounts to members. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. When you’re staying for more than one night, this can add up to a decent savings. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Make use of the various hotel search websites on the Internet. These websites will help you find good deals quickly. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have an adequate number of towels? If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.
Know the hotel’s check-in time. If you don’t know you may end up waiting a long time. If you might be arriving before the check-in time, ask the hotel whether it’s okay to come.
In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. Some of the most popular hotel chains can end up giving you up to 50 percent in savings.
If you want to keep your regular running routine, pack your GPS and running clothes. Go for a jog every morning. Running not only provides you with great exercise, but it also helps you better learn the city in which you are residing.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
A membership in AAA can make booking a hotel easier when you travel. Not only do AAA members get hotel discounts at many chains that are well worth the AAA membership, but you can find it a lot easier to find a rental car where you go. If you have young kids, find out if they have a free car seat service.
Always avoid making long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. In this way, you can stay in touch with friends, relations and colleagues without racking up a big phone bill.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. The bathroom is not a common place where bedbugs would be. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. It is usually a convenient place for young children to sit for a moment too.
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you’re someone who doesn’t like cigarette smoke, you may want to find a different hotel. Nonetheless, if there are smokers in the hotel, you may have problems with odors. Sometimes, smokers rent and smoke in non-smoking rooms. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. The hotels need a chance to clean up your room prior to check in. If you happen to show up early just ask if your room was prepared early, but they’re most likely going to say no.
When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Some hotels may not have one, so you want to know this upfront. Additionally, there may be an extra fee for these items. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.
Unless it is an emergency, always stay for the total number of nights that you have booked. If you do, then you could be charged an extra departure fee for early checkout. If you reserve a room for a set number of days but check out a day or two early, that hotel may charge a fee because they couldn’t book that room. So, they may charge you a fee for early departure to replace the loss in revenue.
You probably should avoid using the hotel’s bedspread for hygienic reasons. Although the blankets and sheets are cleaned when guests check out, sometimes the bedspread on top will not be. This might mean the bedspread is carrying bacteria, germs, or bedbugs. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.
With the right advice, finding a nice hotel room at an affordable price is simple. Remember this advice for the next time you plan a hotel stay. You will be able to find the perfect hotel room at an excellent price.