Booking a hotel room can be a scary experience, especially if you have had a bad experience before. By then, it is usually too late to back out. So that is why you need to prepare properly by doing research. So here are some tips to help you find the hotel room of your dreams.
To make sure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to the soaps and shampoos that you find in hotel rooms, bring your own, particularly if you have sensitive skin. While it’s nice to find the freebies, the rash that sometimes results is quite unpleasant. Take along your own things to keep things clean.
If you’ve left amenities at home, ask the front desk. Often you won’t need to go out to buy things like toothpaste and toothbrushes. The front desk typically has the staples available to customers at no cost whatsoever. Sure it’s only a few dollars saved, but every dollar counts.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.
If you are a member of a frequent flyer program or travel a lot, try joining a hotel loyalty program. You can earn points and use them toward your upcoming stays. You can also gain airline miles if the hotel is a partner of a frequent flier program. Check the airline or hotel website to see what you’re qualified for.
If you are traveling with pets, be sure to select hotels that have good accommodations for them. This is especially true if you are planning on an extended stay. A good hotel that allows pets should have amenities for them. These might include and groomer, doggy day care and special walking areas.
When traveling with children, be sure the hotels you choose offer features the kids will enjoy. A playground on site is very helpful. A pool with plenty of shallow area and/or a kiddie pool will provide great play time. Also check to see if the hotel you are interested in offers a child care service.
Avoid using the phone in the hotel to make any calls. If you do not have a mobile phone, it would be a good idea to purchase a prepaid phone to make calls during your stay. The only exception should be if free local calls are included in the room rate.
If you are planning on staying in a hotel room with your children, make sure you call the hotel in advance to ensure they provide a working pool or some other fun activities for your children to do. Nothing is quite as frustrating as arriving at a hotel with children clamoring to jump in the pool only to find that it is closed.
If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Many hotels have rooms designated for smokers. You should try your best to book one of these if they are available. Some hotels fine guests if they find that they smoked in a designated non-smoking room. This means that you must be sure to obey the hotel’s smoking rules.
Don’t limit your hotel bed bug inspection to the bed. Bed bugs can be up to fifteen feet away. So, check any chairs and other furniture around the room. Also look in drawers and closet spaces before unpacking your clothes and risking them. As always, flag someone on the staff down if you find anything.
To ensure that you don’t leave anything behind when you are checking out of a hotel, make a sweep through the room after you’ve packed your bags. Open every drawer, check down on the floor by each bed, and check every outlet to make sure that you haven’t left any chargers plugged in.
If the hotel you in which you are staying has a pool, find out what the policy is with regard to pool towels. Some hotels supply towels in the pool area or at the front desk. Others allow you to use the bath towels. Still others expect you to supply your own pool towels. Ask about this when making reservations, and pack accordingly.
When your hotel attempts to “walk” you, don’t stand for it! When hotels overbook rooms, the one you reserved may not be available. In such cases, the hotel “walks” you, or sends you to another hotel. Avoid having this happen if you can, but if you’re going to a different hotel, be sure that the deal is better than the place you were trying to get.
As you probably know, a bad hotel experience can be a nightmare. So it is important to do your research before you book so you will get a room that is right for you. So use the information from above to help you find the hotel that suits you perfectly.
