Are you looking forward to your vacation but not all that goes into planning it? Planning a vacation sometimes produces headaches, particularly when you are trying to figure out where you are going to stay. Fret not. The guide below has tips you can use to make sure that you choose wisely.
To save money on a minibar or vending machine at a hotel, pack a cooler before you start out on your trip, and throw in some six-packs of soda or beer and a bottle of wine. When you get to the hotel, if you have a small fridge, you are all ready. If there isn’t a fridge, use the ice machine and your cooler to keep things chilled.
There are several things you should consider when booking a hotel. Price is one factor, however you may also need your hotel to be close to a particular destination. Other amenities that people look for are a gym, pool, free local phone calls, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Try locating a tip that checks off as much of your wish list as is realistic.
If you want to save some serious money on your hotel reservations, get the price bundled with something else. This is typically done through an online travel site. When bundled with airfare, hotel room rates drop dramatically, sometimes by over half the list rates that are publicly advertised elsewhere on the Internet.
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 make sure you don’t have an unexpected expense, ask about how much hotel transfers will cost. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. You should inquire about this before booking the hotel room.
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.
To keep sand out of your hotel room when you are staying at the beach, make sure that you and the kids stop at the hose or faucet at the entrance of your hotel on the beach. If there isn’t one at your hotel, find one nearby, and then either dry your feet off and slide them into your shoes, or walk barefoot back to your hotel.
It is important that you find out how often rooms are vacuumed in a hotel. It may sound silly, but it isn’t. Some places use a small sweeper to gather large particles. Many times, they only vacuum when the room is really messy. You should try to get a room that has been recently vacuumed so that it gathers the particles that you cannot see.
Look around for hotels that are having grand openings. These grand openings often have big savings on hotel rooms. In fact, the savings can be very significant – 20% and often more. It’s a great way to get a top notch hotel stay and then pass on the word to others about the stay!
Here is a simple tip to help you make sure you don’t leave any valuables behind in your hotel room. After checking the bathroom, drawers and closets thoroughly, take all the bed linens off the bed including sheets, blankets and pillows. Refold the linens carefully checking the bed and surrounding floor area to find any items that may have fallen out of your suitcase or pockets during your stay.
If you are looking for the least expensive hotel room, sometimes just asking for it does the trick. People don’t take this simple step sometimes. They take the room that is offered by the front desk, yet there could be a cheaper alternative still in stock. Just ask, and you could be rewarded.
Now that you know how to pick a great hotel, you can start planning your vacation. Just think about how much fun you are going to have, and this task will be a piece of cake. You will surely book a great hotel. Have a great time on your vacation wherever you go!