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The hotel where you stay can be paradise or a very expensive nightmare. With the high cost of staying in a hotel, it’s crucial you are aware of what to search for when booking a room. Read these tips to learn how to shop like the best travelers do.
Room service is great for late meals. While it may cost a little extra, it is worth it if you can stay in your comfortable room as you satisfy your cravings.
Make sure you put your valuables inside the safe in your hotel room. Your small electronic devices can be left in the safe when you are out, so you will not have to worry about them.
Find out if any organization to which you belong offers good discounts. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. This is especially useful if you plan to book a longer stay. For a week of vacation time that adds up to an extra day!
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They also let you see what full price is, so you know you are saving money. Finally, they can help you determine when you’d like to travel and what you’d like to do when you’re there.
Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have an adequate number of towels? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.
Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.
If you plan on taking a family pet with you to a hotel reservation, do three things in advance. Find out if the hotel you have selected is pet-friendly. Take some bags to clean after your pet. When you make your reservation, request accommodations near the very end of the floor in order to not disturb other guests.
If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may be surprised that your auto club membership includes hotel discounts, but it does. You may save 5% or even more on nationwide hotels. It’s a savings that really adds up over the nights.
If you enjoy a morning run, try booking a hotel room that’s near the beach or an open park. This makes it easy for you to wake in the morning and get in a run. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
Do you travel on a periodic basis? If so, consider joining your hotel’s loyalty program. They offer rewards to guests who book the same hotel chain frequently. Rewards can include free hotel stays, upgrades and late check-out times if you save up enough points.
The timing of your room booking often determines the price you pay. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. A late booking when the hotel is slow often results in a bargain. Hotels would rather discount the price because an empty room does not earn them any money.
If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. This way, when you stay at a hotel, you can get points and then turn those points into free stuff that you can do with your family.
Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. Your AAA membership will pay for itself right away in hotel and car rental discounts and availability. Parents of younger children are likely to enjoy the free car seat provided in many locations.
If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. Showing up at your hotel and finding out the pool isn’t in working order can ruin an otherwise great trip.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It is a safe place for pets and kids to stay.
It is usually not possible to check into your hotel early. Be sure to not to show up early so you don’t have to wait. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you are early, don’t expect miracles.
If you are concerned about germs, you might want to take the bedspread off of the bed. The top bedspread usually isn’t cleaned as often as the sheets or blankets underneath. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. For your health’s sake, remove the bedspread.
As you can now see, preparation is key to finding a great deal on a great hotel. It is important to know when to make your reservations and what qualities to seek. Keep these tricks and tips in mind and a great hotel is going to be in your future.
