With hotels offering such a wide range of amenities, prices and locations, making a choice can be daunting. Therefore, it is important to research this well before your trip. Figure out your budget and the amenities you can’t live without. This info will help you book a great hotel.
Online Review
Before making reservations at a hotel, check the online review sites. Online review websites will allow you to see previous guests’ experiences at the hotels you are considering. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.
If you have a safe in your closet, then you should use it to keep your valuables safe while you are outside of the room. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. First, find out if the hotel allows pets. Take some bags to clean after your pet. Reserving a room near the end of a hallway will keep other guests from being disturbed by your pet.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Go for a jog every morning. You’ll get plenty of good exercise and a better understanding of the city around you.
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. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. If the rooms are cheap, the transfer could ruin the deal. Asking before you arrive can really increase your overall savings.
Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.
Do not make long distance calls from your hotel room. Instead, you should try the Internet. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. This makes it an ideal spot to put your luggage as you check out the rest of your room for bedbugs. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.
Check to see if 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. They may have a hidden smell that the hotel tries to mask with a strong fragrance, which is also an irritant. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. If the hotel you are staying at does not incorporate much of an extra fee, the cleaning service might not be up to par.
If you are concerned about good hygiene, do not use the bedspread given to you by the hotel. The bedspread is one item that does not usually get washed between bookings. As a result, the bedspread will likely contain all kinds of germs and bacteria. Just remove it from the bed.
Beware of an establishment that attempts to “walk you.” Occasionally, a hotel overbooks and your booked room is unavailable. This will require that you have to stay at a different hotel. Try to avoid this scenario if you can, but if it becomes necessary to secure alternate accommodations, be sure that the room is at least comparable to the one at the hotel you booked, and get compensation for your travel expenses.
As you can see, getting the right hotel at the right price is definitely possible. Next time you need a hotel, look again to the suggestions found here. By doing so, you will enjoy a great hotel visit at an affordable price.