Your hotel is a big part of your travel experience. It can really make or break a vacation. Hotel rooms are a large expense, and you spend a lot of the time in the room, so you want to make sure you shop wisely. So here are some tips to help you get the best room at the best price.
Prior to beginning a hotel search, try thinking about what accommodations you want and can afford. Figure out if the hotel’s location is more important than its price or if you limited to hotels under a certain price range. Also consider whether you need one that has items like spas and fitness centers or just a beautiful view.
Try using price comparison sites online to find a hotel when you’re on a budget. Websites like Priceline, Travelocity, Expedia, and the like can help you see all kinds of hotels in different locations. You can narrow down your searches to specific price ranges and compare them to each other.
Check out the search tools offered by online travel sites. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.
Read the reviews before choosing hotels that look less than top notch. Sure there are lots of hotels that don’t look like the Four Seasons, and there are many that are plenty clean to stay in. There are others though that can be very dirty inside. Reading reviews can help you steer clear of the poorer lot of hotels out there.
Be sure you inspect the room you are given at check in before you start unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Does the plumbing work right? Are there enough linens and towels? This quick check can keep you from discovering a problem later, after you have unpacked and all other good rooms are taken. Tell the front desk immediately.
When traveling with small children, try to choose a hotel that caters to them. Most hotels offer cribs. Some have playgrounds and/or pools to help keep your kids entertained. Some even offer or children’s programs during the day or babysitters at night. Many hotels do not charge extra for children under a certain age to stay in the same room with their parents.
Be sure to check for online deals. Most of the time, you can get cheaper deals by taking a few minutes to search for them on the Internet. It is a great way to choose your hotel. You will find deals this way that the hotels won’t tell you about over the phone.
To enjoy a tropical destination a bit more quietly, stay away from the large, all-inclusive resorts that bring in quantity but also feature nonstop partying. Instead, choose a smaller resort that also offers shuttles to the major local attractions. You’ll have a stay that is more on your terms, especially when it’s time to sit out on your patio in the quiet of the night.
There are websites available that offer you an instant discount if the hotel you have booked decreases in price before your stay. You may end up with a good amount of money back in your pocket. The best thing about this type of site is that the opposite does not apply. If the rates increase, you will only have to pay the amount you were originally quoted.
Pay attention to your security when you stay at a hotel. Make note of the fire exits and locations of fire extinguishers. Keep your door locked, and keep your key or key card in a safe place. Stash any valuables in the hotel safe. Consider bringing a flashlight along and keeping it by your bed in case you need it during the night.
Follow a hotel chain you are thinking about reserving with on social media. Deals and promotions are often promoted first or sometimes only on Facebook and Twitter. Introduce yourself to hotel employees through social media to see if you can get any tips from them on booking a great deal.
When staying in a hotel room, are you sometimes concerned with the safety and security of your room? For less than $3 dollars you can alleviate these fears. Purchase a rubber doorstop and always pack it with your other essentials when traveling. It is simple to use and is highly effective. Simply wedge the doorstop under the inside of the door. Combined with the door’s deadlock, no one stands a chance of coming through your door uninvited.
A bit of research goes a long way in reserving a hotel. You have to know the right times to book and what you should look for. If you follow these tips and do your homework in advance, you should be able to book the ideal hotel room with ease.
