There are many steps to take in preparation for a vacation. You must pack your bags, gas up your car and purchase plane tickets. In addition, you have to book hotel reservations. The following article offers many great tips to make your hotel stay pleasant.
Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. 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 good discounts due to AAA or AARP membership.
Check with the organizations that you are a member with. Some groups provide members with discounts on certain hotels. People don’t always remember to check out these discounts, which can often be 10% and higher. This can add up to big savings, even more so if you will be staying for many nights. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.
Always look for online deals before booking a hotel room. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. So you should always search on your own for discounts prior to booking. Look at websites such as RueLaLaTravel, Jetsetter, and SniqueAway.
Inspect the room before unpacking. Is the room clean and devoid of issues like mildew and mold? Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.
Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.
There are three different things you should do in advance if you’re going to be traveling with a pet. Take time to ensure that the hotel you’re booking is, in fact, 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.
Take your GPS watch with you on vacation and some running clothes. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you should skip on your daily running regimen. Go for a jog every morning. Whether you are running on roads or city streets, you will gain more knowledge about the city you are visiting while you run.
If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.
If you are concerned about the environment, you may want to take a “green” vacation. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Many new hotels are constructed to meet green standards, earning green certification. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
Inquire about the price of a transfer before you place a booking. Hidden transfer costs can really make a room not worth it. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.
Membership Programs
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. By joining a membership program, you earn points during every visit. These points can add up to free items over time.
Become a member of AAA in order to make your travel arrangements easier. AAA members can receive great hotel discounts as well as locate a rental car much more easily. At some locations they even offer free car seats.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
Know whether or not smoking is allowed in your room. Many hotels set aside certain rooms or wings for smoking guests. If this applies to the hotel of your choice, request that type of room specifically. If you smoke in one of the hotel’s non-smoking room, you can be charged hefty fees.
Don’t be tempted to open bottled water! After you check-in you may feel tired and thirsty. Finding a cold bottle of water in the little refrigerator may present a temptation. Hotels take advantage of their guests by charging ridiculous pricess for bottled water. Some hotels offer complementary bottles of water in their gyms. An even better option is to pack your own bottled water for when you arrive.
Finding the right hotel is an essential part of planning any trip. The right hotel makes your trip more pleasurable. Use this knowledge to book your next room right.