Do you cringe at the thought of making a hotel reservation? There are hundreds of choices and hundreds of websites, which can make it difficult to find the best deals. Try to stay calm. The following paragraphs will guide you on how to find a hotel you and your travel companions enjoy.
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.
Use travel websites, like Expedia and Priceline to find great hotel deals. If you have a hotel loyalty program your a part of, be sure you enter this information while looking through rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
To minimize your travel expenses when you are staying near a resort area like Walt Disney World, choose a hotel that offers a complimentary shuttle to nearby attractions. In this sort of area, you shouldn’t need to rent a car. Instead, use a cab to get to your hotel and then use the shuttle to enjoy the fun.
If you are hungry when you get to your hotel and do not want to leave, consider ordering room service. Although you’ll probably pay more, it is worth being able to comfortably dine in the room while in pajamas.
If you’ve left amenities at home, ask the front desk. Often you won’t need to go out to buy things like toothpaste and toothbrushes. The front desk typically has the staples available to customers at no cost whatsoever. Sure it’s only a few dollars saved, but every dollar counts.
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.
One way to save money when traveling is to search for a hotel that offers a free continental breakfast. This can save you a lot of money if you are staying for a week. Many of the top hotel chains offer large continental breakfasts consisting of breakfast meats, pastries and drinks.
Check out priceline.com and other online hotel discount vendors to help you find the best deals out there. These websites can really bring hotel costs down to rock bottom prices. Even upper scale hotels can be found for more affordable prices. There’s no reason you should be paying full rate.
If you’re taking a pet to the hotel, do some things beforehand. First, ensure that the hotel actually allows pets. Pack a supply of plastic grocery bags with you – you will need to clean up any pet waste. When you go to make the hotel reservation, see if there is room on the end that would prevent the other guests from hearing a noisy pet.
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 forget to bring toiletries with you, the housekeeping staff at the hotel may be able to help. Most hotels provide soap, shampoo and conditioner as a matter of course, but they may also have toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, razors and other necessary items on hand for those who request them. Many even supply hair dryers in the room, so you do not have to bring your own along.
To keep your car safe and secure while you are staying at a hotel, make sure that you either bring your valuables inside or conceal them in the trunk when you park the car. Even if you lock the doors, if valuable items are visible, thieves will often break in and take them, so be proactive and save your treasures.
If you plan to use the telephone provided in your hotel room, know what to expect as far as charges. Some hotels offer free local calls, but others charge for each call. In addition to any long distance charges, the hotel usually adds an extra fee. Use your cell phone to make calls from your hotel room when possible.
After reading this, you should have all of the information you need to find an affordable hotel. Research the information completely and take time to evaluate the choices. After gathering all the information you will be ready to choose the best accommodations.