Booking a hotel can be a tricky experience, especially if you are not familiar with the area you will be staying in. You could also end paying a lot more than you intended to, thanks to hidden fees. So here are some tips to help you find the perfect hotel at a price that is right for you.
To keep your family active and engaged when you are in a hotel far from home, talk to the concierge when you check in to get a list of nearby attractions. At the end of each day, sit down and map out a plan for the next morning. This gives you more vacation time and less time sitting in front of a television waiting to decide what to do.
To keep your drinking water clean in a hotel room, rinse out your drinking glasses, even if there is a paper cover or a plastic wrapping around it. Dust and debris from the plastic can settle in the glass, leading to an unpleasant first sip. Taking the time to rinse it out will make your experience better.
When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. Things like free breakfast can make a big difference for some families. So decide on the amenities that mean the most to you and start looking.
To help your family get into the hotel as comfortably as possible when you are pulling in for a late-night checkin, pull the car under the porte cochere, and leave the engine running while you go inside to check in. Even if you don’t get lucky enough to get to have a room close to the front and have to drive to another entrance, this minimizes the traipsing that they have to do.
When traveling with a pet, your choices of hotels will be limited. Once you find a hotel that is pet friendly, find out what the policies are with regard to pets. Most hotels charge an extra fee for pets, and they may have designated areas in which to walk your pet. Be sure you know the particulars ahead of time to avoid potential problems later.
If you are traveling with pets, be sure to select hotels that have good accommodations for them. This is especially true if you are planning on an extended stay. A good hotel that allows pets should have amenities for them. These might include and groomer, doggy day care and special walking areas.
If you need to travel with your pet, you need to make three advance preparations. Find out if the hotel allows pets. For easy cleanup, make sure that you have brought along an adequate number of plastic bags. When you make a reservation you should see if you can stay near the back of the hallway to keep other guests away from your pets when they are making noises.
There are websites available that offer you an instant discount if the hotel you have booked decreases in price before your stay. You may end up with a good amount of money back in your pocket. The best thing about this type of site is that the opposite does not apply. If the rates increase, you will only have to pay the amount you were originally quoted.
If you are looking for deals on a hotel room, you may have to go straight to the source yourself. Many hotels do not post ads all over the Internet offering discounts. You usually have to find them yourself. Simply call potential hotels and ask them if they have any promotions or discounts.
Figure out what comes with your hotel. Find out if the hotel offers better noise control and views on one side. Ask them about nearby public transportation, restaurants, and if they are near any entertainment or business areas. You should also find out the type of neighborhood they’re in and what their environmental policies are.
Don’t make any long distance calls from your hotel room. Try using the Internet instead to stay in touch. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, but you will probably need their password and may have to pay a fee to use this service. Use these types of services to keep in contact with loved ones back home instead of having exorbitant charges added to your bill from the costly phone calls.
Stay safe and secure in a hotel. Travelers to hotels are often robbed even when they are inside the room. Use every lock the hotel provides, including the handle lock, chain and deadbolt. Hotels are a magnet for shady characters looking to exploit people who are traveling with a lot of money and valuables.
As you already know, finding the perfect hotel can take a bit of planning and research. But you will find that using the tips above will make it so much easier and can save you a significant amount of money. So keep these tips in mind and start planning your next hotel stay.