If you are planning to travel, finding a good hotel to stay in is an important part of the process. However, finding an affordable hotel that is still of good quality can be difficult. You need to know where to look to find the best deals. For some great tips, keep reading.
To keep your family active and engaged when you are in a hotel far from home, talk to the concierge when you check in to get a list of nearby attractions. At the end of each day, sit down and map out a plan for the next morning. This gives you more vacation time and less time sitting in front of a television waiting to decide what to do.
When you are staying at a hotel, it is a good idea to leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff. It is best to tip daily instead of waiting until the entire trip has come to an end since there is a chance that the same person will not be assisting you every day.
To save a little bit of money on the cost of your hotel room, whether you are booking over the phone or online, see if there is a discount for paying at the time of booking rather than waiting to pay at checkout. Often this can make the difference between queen and king beds, or between a room and a suite.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Make sure the room is entirely clean and free from any mildew or mold. Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you see that there are problems with your room, let the people at the front desk know right away so they can get things taken care of. Or, they can move you to another room.
Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. When you wake up and feel like a jog, simply toss on your gear and head out. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.
If you are planning to stay in a hotel for an entire week or longer, ask the hotel about long term price discounts. Hotels will often have weekly and monthly rates which are unpublished. These can offer significant price breaks for your hotel stay. Be sure to mention it upfront.
If you forget to bring toiletries with you, the housekeeping staff at the hotel may be able to help. Most hotels provide soap, shampoo and conditioner as a matter of course, but they may also have toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, razors and other necessary items on hand for those who request them. Many even supply hair dryers in the room, so you do not have to bring your own along.
Sign on to Facebook and find the page of the hotel you are staying at. Write a little message on their page, and see if the staff responds. You never know, they may offer you a special perk! If nothing else, keep up with what is happening on the page in case any specials are announced.
If you don’t want to get a big expense on the hotel bill you get, speak to the place about hotel transfers prior to booking things. If you’re getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Asking these things before anything happens will allow you to save more.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.
Be aware of the check in and check out times for the hotel at which you are staying. If you arrive too early, your room may not be ready, and you may have to wait a few hours to access it. If you fail to check out by the appointed time, you may be charged for an extra day. Knowing the hotel policies with regard to check in and check out times can save you some aggravation.
Stay safe and secure in a hotel. Travelers to hotels are often robbed even when they are inside the room. Use every lock the hotel provides, including the handle lock, chain and deadbolt. Hotels are a magnet for shady characters looking to exploit people who are traveling with a lot of money and valuables.
With a little effort, finding great deals that can save you a lot of money on your next hotel reservation is a cinch. This way, you can still enjoy your vacation without having to blow your budget on a fancy hotel. Just use the advice you have read here when making your reservation.
