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.
Do comparison shopping online. Often you”ll need to do some comparison shopping to find the best deals out there. Some quick web searches can do you a lot of good. There you’ll see who has the best prices for hotels in the areas you are considering. It can save you some real cash and get food at Vietnamese restaurants.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
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.
Verify the check-in time at the hotel. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. Call the hotel desk and find out if your room has been prepared if you know that you’ll be arriving early.
If you have a AAA membership, look into hotel discounts included. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You can save 5 percent or more motels and hotels in the US. Over multiple nights, that five percent will really add up.
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.
If you have a little one with you, remember that hotel rooms aren’t usually set up for babies. Don’t forget to pack a few things so that you can baby proof the space. For example, an outlet cover is small but it plays a big role in keeping your child safe.
Think about whether or not you are going to be staying at a smoking or nonsmoking hotel. If you don’t smoke, you may wish to avoid those that have smoking rooms. The smoke can settle into your clothing and luggage. In addition, some smokers will rent out non-smoking rooms and smoke in them. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.
Check out the prices at the hotel website. Sometimes the hotel website will have deals that trump the hotel discount websites out there. Before you pick a deal be sure to do this due diligence. You can even call the hotel to ask if they have any unpublished rates.
If Wi-Fi is a very important amenity and you are looking to save a bit of money on your hotel stay, it would be a good idea to stay at someplace that is mid-level. While high-end hotels may be a bit cozier, they usually have a surcharge for Internet use.
Many hotels now give you a towel card at the time of check-in. These cards are exchanged for a beach towel to be used in the pool area. On your last night, turn your towel back in and get your towel card back. If you do not, you may be charged as much as $25 at check-out time.
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.
Never ask for the minibar to be removed from your hotel room. You may think this is a great way to ensure that you don’t partake of the minibar; however, most hotels charge for this service. Instead, if you may be tempted to drink alcoholic beverages, purchase your favorite beverage at a package store.
The hotel business is competitive. If you have a bad experience during a hotel visit, let the management know right away. Your comments will help them improve their service and make them into a better chain. Sometimes you may even get room credits as a sign of appreciation from management.
Remember that views can vary between different hotel rooms. Realize that prices can sometimes vary as well, but discuss the view you want as you’re booking the room. These are the little things that make your trip more enjoyable without costing you any money. There is no harm in asking if a room with a better view is available.
If you book a hotel stay well in advance, consider taking out travel insurance. This insurance will reimburse you if you need to cancel your hotel stay. Be aware that most travel insurance policies state that you must cancel your stay at least one week in advance to receive a refund.
Check the pet policy of a hotel before staying there. If the hotel charges a pet fee make sure you know about it before making the reservation. This way you will not be surprised when you check out and pay. It will avoid any surprises regarding extra fees on the bill.
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.