The U.S. has thousands of hotels that range in prices, sizes, and features. Choosing the wrong hotel is a surefire way to turn any trip into an epic disaster. Continue to read if you want to learn how to find the perfect hotel.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. This will give you valuable information about the recent experiences of people at each hotel. What others say will help you make a wise decision.
Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. Find out if you can get a discount for being an AAA or AARP member, too.
Use online search tools for hotels. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They also can show you the average hotel rates, letting you see whether the deal is good or bad. In addition, these tools can help you determine the best time to go on vacation and the things that you can do there.
Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Is it free of mildew and mold while being clean? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Does your room feature the linens and towels you require? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. This will allow you to save up to 50 percent even when staying at an elite hotel.
If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Always ask about what exactly a pet-friendly policy entails, as there could still be limits on breeds and sizes.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. Be sure that the hotel really does allow pets. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. When making your reservation, ask for a room at the end of the hall to spare other guests your pet noise.
Book your appointment as far ahead of time as possible to guarantee you get the perfect couples massage for you and your significant other. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. Even if your route takes you through the street of a city, at least you will get a glimpse of the area you are visiting.
If you want to save money, and you stay at the same place a lot, consider signing up for the hotel’s version of a frequent guest program. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. Rather, use a web tool. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. You can stay in touch with work or family without the high cost of a call from the phone in your room.
Smoking Hotel
Check if a hotel you’re looking to stay at is non-smoking or smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. You could still get a non-smoking room, but smoke can flow through the air and settle on your clothes. There are times when smokers light up in a non-smoking room. 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.
If needed, always ask about the availability of a crib or roll-away at the time you reserve the room. Some hotels have these in short supply. In addition, there is sometimes an extra charge for these items. Talk about these when reserving your room so you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
If you book a room during a heavy occupancy period, don’t be surprised if you have a mandatory stay of a few days or more. This could result in a charge for early departure. 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. That is why you are charged a fee.
For the sake of hygiene, avoid the bedspread provided by the hotel. The top bedspread usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. This means they may be a hotbed of germs. Just take that blanket off the bed.
Many people do not spend enough time looking for a hotel, and they end up taking the first reservation that they find. This approach is gambling, and can hurt you. Staying in a dirty hotel room doesn’t lead to a great user experience, so follow the suggestions outlined above to avoid this fate.