It takes lots of work to plan a great vacation. You must decide where to go, figure out how to get there and find a place to stay. Making a bad choice will have a negative effect on your trip. The information here will help you find the best hotel.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. Here you can get first-hand reports of the experience people had staying at different hotels. The information provided by patrons of the hotel will help you make a good choice of where to stay.
Online travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz can help you get the best price for rooms at the hotel you would like to stay at. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. Also, you may be eligible for discounts through other organizations to which you may belong, such as AARP or AAA.
Make use of online tools to find a hotel. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. Hotel search websites also let you see the regular rates of hotels, so you can compare and see whether a supposed deal is really a good one. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough linens and towels? If you have any problem with the room, report it immediatlely to have it fixed as soon as possible.
In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. A lot of places will give you a discount if you’re going to book about a month or so in advance. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Ask the hotel if pets are allowed, no matter what their site says. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.
If you’re a member of the AAA, you should see what your hotel membership discount will be. You would be surprised where hidden discounts may be lurking. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.
Sign up for frequent guest programs at hotels. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. These points can quickly add up to many perks such as a free night, discounts at the hotel restaurants, spa deals and much, much more.
Environmentally Friendly
Do you care about your environment? If so, a “green” hotel may be for you. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Certain hotels provide green rooms, and in fact, some are even certified as green hotels. Older hotels can go green by making environmentally friendly choices in energy use. A travel agent or similar source can help you find hotels that are considered ‘green’.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. Hotels price rooms based on availability. Whenever you can, don’t book your hotel room until the last 24 hours. This will get you a great price on your room. The hotel is not going to make any money on a room that is unoccupied, which is why the reduce the price.
Be sure you know the cost associated with hotel transfers when booking a room. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
Start by inspecting the hotel bathroom if you need to make sure there are no bed bugs. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. Put kids and pets in there, too.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If cigarette smoke bothers you, look for a hotel that doesn’t have smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. Even if a room is designated as nonsmoking, sometimes people smoke in there anyway. To avoid the experience of breathing in smoke during your stay, try to stay in a hotel that doesn’t allow smoking.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. A lot of hotels have rooms designated for smokers. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. Certain hotels will charge you a steep fee if you get caught smoking in a room that is non-smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of the hotel.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. It may be best to stay clear of hotels that accept pets if you are afraid of dogs or are allergic to pets. Also, pet friendly hotels may have lingering odors that have been absorbed by carpeting or linens. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.
Know that you may not be able to check-in early at some hotels. Be sure to not to show up early so you don’t have to wait. The room must be cleaned and prepared so the next guest can 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.
Don’t ruin your vacation by choosing the wrong hotel. Be sure to plan ahead properly. You will have better options when you know how to find the best accommodations. Every single part of your vacation should be fun, including the hotel. Remember the tips here next time you plan for a vacation.