Booking the right hotel for your vacation is crucial to the enjoyment of your vacation. If you have a bad experience with your hotel, it can spoil your entire vacation experience. Read the following article to find out things that you should consider when you are booking your hotel for your next vacation.
Online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia can help you find the lowest rates on hotel rooms. If you belong to a hotel’s loyalty program, be sure to input that information when checking rates. Also, you might be able to get some discounts offered by organizations that you might be a part of like AAA or AARP.
Use sensible safety and security precautions when you stay at a hotel. Find out where all the fire exits are in case of an emergency. Also, note where the nearby fire extinguishers are located. If you have any valuables, keep them in the safe at the desk or in the room.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
When booking a hotel stay, always check the Internet. There are many travel sites located online that let you compare prices for hotel located in the city of your choosing. Additionally, you can save a lot of money by booking your stay during the weekdays. Weekend rates tend to be higher than weekday stays.
Do not feel silly when it comes to asking a hotel’s guest representative some questions. If you are looking for quiet and relaxation, you need to ask ahead to be sure you will get it. For instance, is the hotel too close to an airport? Is there construction going on nearby. Know this before booking with a hotel.
To keep from paying through the nose for dry cleaning services from a hotel, ask what the costs are before you send your clothing out. If you need cleaning done, it’s often cheaper to walk down the street to a nearby dry cleaner. People who are in town on business often benefit greatly from these savings.
Find out what perks are offered on hotel club floors before deciding the extra premium isn’t worth the cost. At some hotels, staying on a club floor can mean benefits like free food and even full meals. Factor up the potential expenses of paying for those on their own, and you might see that an upgrade can actually save you money.
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 Hotels will often have weekly and monthly rates which are unpublished.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 are going to stay in a hotel, be sure to give them a call the day before you are due to arrive. Hotels are not responsible for calling guests to confirm their reservation; that is up to the guest. Always call the hotel to be sure your room is still reserved.
Do not assume all hotels allow pets. Some hotels allow pets of any size, some have certain restrictions, and some do not allow pets at all. If you have a pet and book a room at a hotel that has a no pet policy, you will not be allowed to stay there with your furry friend.
For those frequent travelers, it may be better to build loyalty and perks by joining the membership club of your favorite hotel. When you stay at a hotel, you get points you can use later on.
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.
Find out if the hotel you want is smoking or non-smoking. If you are not a smoker, you probably want to avoid staying in a smoking room. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. You may find that a smoker has been in your non-smoking room before you and ignored the rules. To avoid cigarette odors entirely, opt for a non-smoking hotel.
Beware of the bottle of water beside your bed. Many hotels charge as much as 10 dollars for that bottle of water. Other items that you may not realize you will be charged for include: pool towels, newspapers and Internet access. To ensure you are not being charged for items you do not want read the fine print.
So many vacations are spoiled because the hotel accommodations were not as expected. You can avoid this by doing your research and choosing your hotel carefully. You have waited so long to take a vacation. Do not let bad accommodations spoil it. If you apply the tips in this article, you can find the right hotel for your needs.
