Just about everybody has a story to tell about a bad hotel experience. It is an expensive mistake to make. This article will give you some important tips on getting a great room at a great price.
Prior to making reservations, research hotels on sites like TripAdvisor. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Other customers can give you some valuable insight and help you choose the right place to stay.
To accommodate a small family without having to pay for more than one hotel room, look for a location that offers suites. Often the rates are competitive with single-room rates at other hotels, but the addition of a living area (and a fold-out bed) means that more of you can sleep comfortably.
To ensure that you get the best service from the custodial staff at a hotel, leave a few dollars each morning for each bed that you use. This nominal cost will help you get rooms that receive the little extras, such as a towel or two more, or even an extra pillow.
If you are traveling for work and staying at a hotel, ask for a room at least some reasonable distance from the pool area. You will probably want to be in a room where you can concentrate. The noise levels near a pool can be distracting. Pick a quiet room where you can be productive.
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.
To avoid having to iron your shirts when you unpack everything in your hotel room, pack your polo and dress shirts more carefully. Use a hanging bag, and stack your dress shirts together. Then, starting with the shirt in back, bring the arms around, stacking the arms and wrapping them around keeps your shirts in place.
To get the best possible rate for a hotel room, book well in advance of your trip. Rates are markedly higher if you just get the room at the desk. In addition to saving you a lot of money, advance booking will also ensure you aren’t left without a room.
If you travel a lot, you should consider joining hotel loyalty programs. They offer benefits to people that stay at the same chain quite often. These programs can assure you niceties such as the best prices, room upgrades, and special perks such as free meals or late checkouts.
Find out what perks are offered on hotel club floors before deciding the extra premium isn’t worth the cost. At some hotels, staying on a club floor can mean benefits like free food and even full meals. Factor up the potential expenses of paying for those on their own, and you might see that an upgrade can actually save you money.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. Green hotels can feature specialized recycling programs, may only use recyclable products and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Some hotels are certified to be green. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Finding hotels that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as asking your favorite travel agent.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
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.
If you have a little one with you, remember that hotel rooms aren’t usually set up for babies. Don’t forget to pack a few things so that you can baby proof the space. For example, an outlet cover is small but it plays a big role in keeping your child safe.
To keep from having a hassle with logging into the hotel’s Internet connection, ask at the front desk when you check in about any required passwords. This way, you can get up and running right when you get to the room, instead of having to hunt through the guest guidebook and call the front desk about a password.
Nobody out there wants to get booked at a terrible hotel. The cheapest rate cannot compensate for a terrible experience. Your trip will be ruined, regardless. Use the information here to help you plan your next trip and find a good hotel. Once you pick out a hotel you wish to stay in, you can also get great discounts to make the deal better.