Have you ever heard people talk about having an awesome vacation, but they say they stayed in a horrible hotel room? Part of having a good vacation depends on the hotel you choose. You need a hotel that fits within your budget and has the facilities that you are looking for. This article has some great tips for finding a great hotel.

Prior to booking a hotel, refer to TripAdvisor and similar online travel review sites. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.

Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.

Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. The reservation clerk won’t offer these details to you over the phone. That’s why doing a bit of research pays off, so you are aware of discounts and specials. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.

Be sure to look at your room before unpacking your suitcase. Your room should definitely be neat and should not have any odd smells, suspicious stains or mildew. Are the showers, sinks, toilets, etc. properly functioning? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If you have any questions or notice any problems with the room, immediately call the front desk and report them so that they may be handled. You may also asked to be transferred to a new room if the problem is serious, such as mold or mildew.

Ask when you’re able to check into the room. You don’t want to arrive early only to find out your room isn’t ready yet. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.

Don’t think every hotel is pet-friendly. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.

If you want to arrange for a couples massage at your hotel, be sure to book the appointment right away. Many top masseuses book by name, so plan as early as possible.

Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. You might be surprised to learn that your membership to the auto club also includes discounts on hotels. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. These savings quickly add up, especially if you are staying for multiple nights in a row.

If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.

If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. These are exceptional benefits reserved for customers who frequently use a particular chain of hotels. Enjoy late check out, bonus upgrades and free nights with the loyalty paints you have earned.

Choose a green vacation if you care for the environment. There are several green hotels around. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Also, older hotels often make several changes to become eco-friendly. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.

Be careful not to make long distance phone calls on the hotel phone. Instead, use the Internet. Skype connections that are accessed through Wi-Fi are offered by many hotels. You will be able to stay in touch with family and friends while you are away without the additional expense of costly phone calls.

If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.

Reviews 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. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.

It’s not often possible to check in to a hotel room early. If you are going to arrive early, plan on doing something to fill your time. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you’re going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you’re able to get into the room, but don’t think that it will happen.

When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Not every hotel will be able to accommodate you. Additionally, you may need to pay an extra fee. You can always discuss the possibilities with the hotel clerk or manager on the phone before you book your room.

It is easy to find a great place to stay within your budget if you know where to look. This article showed you some great ways to do that. You can have a great stay in a reasonably priced hotel room. Remember what you’ve learned here, and you will end up with a good hotel and a great deal.

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