When you are planning to travel, whether it is for a family vacation or a business trip, a hotel reservation needs to be made. However, this is not a decision that should be made hastily. Choosing the right hotel is important if you want to really enjoy your trip. Keep reading for some good advice on doing so.
Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These provide you with first-hand information about people's recent experiences at each hotel. Consider what they say to help you make your decision.
Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. You may also be able to get discounts through AAA or AARP.
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.
When you are staying at a hotel, it is a good idea to leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff. It is best to tip daily instead of waiting until the entire trip has come to an end since there is a chance that the same person will not be assisting you every day.
Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
When booking your room, get exactly what you want. If you want a good view, make sure you get one. If you want to be away from the pool area, make sure you get that as well. Look at a layout of the hotel before calling or booking so you have a good idea of what to expect.
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.
When booking your room, get exactly what you want. If you want a good view, make sure you get one. If you want to be away from the pool area, make sure you get that as well. Look at a layout of the hotel before calling or booking so you have a good idea of what to expect.
To keep your car safe and secure while you are staying at a hotel, make sure that you either bring your valuables inside or conceal them in the trunk when you park the car. Even if you lock the doors, if valuable items are visible, thieves will often break in and take them, so be proactive and save your treasures.
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.
When staying in a hotel room, are you sometimes concerned with the safety and security of your room? For less than $3 dollars you can alleviate these fears. Purchase a rubber doorstop and always pack it with your other essentials when traveling. It is simple to use and is highly effective. Simply wedge the doorstop under the inside of the door. Combined with the door's deadlock, no one stands a chance of coming through your door uninvited.
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.
If you are traveling with children, be sure the hotels you book have clean swimming pools that are up and running. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming "pool" only to find out it's closed.
Be aware of your surroundings in a hotel to stay safe. Don't open the door without knowing who is behind it. Use the peephole. Hotel residents are especially vulnerable to theft. Check in with the front desk if there are any deliveries to your door and keep the door locked even when inside.
If you smoke, it is important to know what the hotel's smoking policy is before you book your room. Some have rooms for smokers. If so, you should avail yourself of this option. Some hotels charge a hefty penalty if they find any evidence that you were smoking in a non-smoking room, so be sure to adhere to the hotel's rules with regard to smoking.
You should take your time when checking out to ensure that your bill is correct. Travelers often find additional fees for items that weren't used or wanted. For example, many hotels now charge a usage fee for their gyms and swimming pools. If you see you have been charged for an unwanted item, contest the charge with the manager on duty.
To save money on your next hotel stay, try booking your room for a Sunday night check-in. Sunday nights are the slowest for hotels as weekend travelers are checking out at that time. You can often find great deals if you use this to your advantage, when hotels want more business..
As you can see from the above article, choosing hotels can be complicated especially when you are unfamiliar with what they have to offer. Don't get caught staying at a bad hotel, use the advice given here to help make your next hotel stay a good one. Keep these tips in mind when you go looking for a place to make reservations.
