The worst part about a trip can be the place you stay at. If you have had no luck in the past finding a good hotel, or if you are just looking for solid ideas on where to stay, then you’re in luck! The following article is for anyone interested in knowing how to find that perfect hotel for you. Keep reading for solid tips about hotels.
Find out the exact time for check-in and check-out. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
If you’re training for a marathon and have a weeklong business trip planned, there’s no reason to let your running slip. Look online for local running groups in the city where you are going to stay, and join them for their social runs. If there aren’t many groups, look for local running stores, as they also offer social jogs.
Before you make your hotel reservation, check to see if any fees will be added to your bill. Many hotels charge extra for parking, Wi-Fi and even room cleaning. These charges can make your stay more costly than you anticipated, so be sure to ask about them before you make your decision.
If you are worried about the environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. It is fortunate for you that there are quite a lot of green hotels available. Some new buildings are certified as green. Some of the older hotels do implement green practices to be sure they are eco-friendly. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.
To keep your incidentals at a minimum, especially when you are staying at a hotel outside the US, ask about the cost of wireless Internet before you check in, and especially before you log in the first time. Some hotels don’t disclose the costly per-minute costs of Internet access, but they will certainly show up on the bill.
Use social media to your advantage if you want to get fresh deals on hotel stays. Many hotels offer deals and freebies to people that “Like” their page. In addition, giving them praise on social media is a great way to snag an upgrade and/or a special rate that has not been advertised.
Be aware of the check in and check out times for the hotel at which you are staying. If you arrive too early, your room may not be ready, and you may have to wait a few hours to access it. If you fail to check out by the appointed time, you may be charged for an extra day. Knowing the hotel policies with regard to check in and check out times can save you some aggravation.
Don’t make long distance calls on your hotel phone. Make use of the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.
If you are traveling with children, make sure you tell the front desk about your needs when you call to make a reservation. For example, do you need a pack and play? Make that known before you show up at the hotel. Also, ask if there is space in the room to set up a crib. You may need to ask for a larger room so that your entire family can be comfortable.
To avoid spending $2 or $3 each time you want a soda at a hotel, throw a six- or twelve-pack into the car when you head out on the road. For almost as much money as that one soda, you can have a dozen of them chilling on ice in the room, or in the mini-fridge.
If you smoke, be aware of the hotel policy with regard to smoking. Many have rooms set aside for people who smoke. If that happens to be the case, then you need to ask for that type of room. Some hotels fine guests if they find that they smoked in a designated non-smoking room. This means that you must be sure to obey the hotel’s smoking rules.
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.
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.