There are quite a few hotels in the US, from the fanciest resorts to little motels on the roadside that aren’t all that modern. If you have great accommodations, your vacation will be enhanced. Bad accommodations will ruin it. Read on for help in finding a great hotel.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. What people say about their experiences at the hotels you’re thinking of booking can aid you in coming to the right decision.
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.
Check with any membership programs for deals. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. Discounts of 10% or more are often available, and people sometimes forget that they are eligible to claim them. That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.
Look into club-level rates. While these rooms are more expensive up front, they typically offer a great value. For example, included in the price could be breakfast or dessert, Wi-Fi service or other perks, like drinks and snacks. See what is offered and decide if the extra cost is worth it to you.
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.
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.
The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. The price is subject to the laws of supply and demand like any other product. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. In this way, you will get good rates. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
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.
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. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.
Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel’s swimming pool is working, Showing up at your hotel and finding out the pool isn’t in working order can ruin an otherwise great trip.
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.
If you are going to need a rollaway bed or crib, specify this when booking your room. Some hotels don’t have them, and others have a limited amount. Sometimes, they cost extra, too. Therefore, when booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about these things so that you are prepared.
For the sake of hygiene, avoid the bedspread provided by the hotel. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. It could have acquired a lot of invisible germs and other things you want to avoid. Remove the blanket and sleep in peace.
If you do not trust leaving your valuables in the safe provided in your room, hotel staff will store it in the safe located there. Make sure that you get some type of receipt verifying the items you give them. This will help cover damages in case something goes missing.
Many people do not spend enough time looking for a hotel, and they end up taking the first reservation that they find. So do the few minutes of research to ensure you get a hotel that makes your trip an enjoyable experience. Use the advice you’ve just been given, and enjoy your stay.