There are so many hotels with a huge range of prices and amenities. Actually choosing one can sometimes seem overwhelming. To do the job well, you should do your homework first. Figure out how much you would like to spend, which amenities you need, and begin to plan. The following tips will help you find the right hotel.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. This can help you choose which hotel to stay at.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You might also have other discounts from a membership in the AARP or AAA.
Be sure to keep your valuables and electronics secure by locking them in your hotel room’s safe. Anything of value can be securely locked in the safe, then you won’t have to worry about your valuables while out enjoying yourself for the day.
Know your check-in time in advance. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.
Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. There are quite a few hotels that will reward booking your room a few months in advance with nice discounts. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. Most of the time, the most reputable masseuses will be booked, so plan early in order to have the most enjoyable experience.
If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. It’ll let you explore the city in a new way.
Membership Programs
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Many hotels offer membership programs that allow you to earn points for each of your stays. These points add up to restaurant discounts, free nights, tickets to a show, spa treatments, and more.
If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. Your travel agent can help to identify the environmentally friendly hotels.
To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. The discounts at many hotel chains and deals on car rentals can more than pay for the AAA membership fees. You might even get a free car seat if you have kids.
When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is usually one of the few places you won’t see any. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s safe for pets and kids too.
Look into the smoking policies in the hotel you are considering. If you are a non-smoker, you will enjoy a non-smoking room more. Even in a non-smoking room, the smoke from other rooms is in the air and might infiltrate your clothing. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. Instead of choosing a non-smoking room, you can actually find an entire non-smoking hotel if you really want to avoid nasty, secondhand smoke.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. A lot of places have specific rooms just for people who smoke. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.
Extra Charge
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you do not like pets, or you are allergic to them, then you should probably avoid pet-friendly hotels. The smells tend to stick around. Some hotels add an extra charge for pets, other do not. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.
If you will have children during your hotel stay that need a crib, you must bring this up when you are booking the room. Hotels usually have a limited number of these, and you don’t want to ask at the last minute. On occasion, these services may require an additional charge. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.
There are a variety of ways that you can ensure a great stay in a fantastic hotel. Use the information located above to help you plan your next hotel stay. You are sure to find a good deal on a comfortable hotel.