Vacation planning involves some serious work. Choosing a destination, making travel arrangements and arranging for a place to stay are all part of the process. A lack of planning can be very bad news. Continue reading to learn helpful ideas on selecting the best hotel.
To make sure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to the soaps and shampoos that you find in hotel rooms, bring your own, particularly if you have sensitive skin. While it’s nice to find the freebies, the rash that sometimes results is quite unpleasant. Take along your own things to keep things clean.
To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. Putting these items in the safe ensures that you can go out and have fun, not worrying about what you’ve left in the room.
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.
Look into club-level rates. While these rooms are more expensive up front, they typically offer a great value. For example, included in the price could be breakfast or dessert, Wi-Fi service or other perks, like drinks and snacks. See what is offered and decide if the extra cost is worth it to you.
If you travel often and prefer one hotel brand, consider signing up for a loyalty program. These programs offer free room upgrades, a free night’s stay after so many days and other advantages. To get the most from this service, sign up to be alerted of specials the hotel may run from time to time.
Make location a top priority when it comes to searching for hotels. If you are going to be staying in a city and want to sight-see, it may not be wise to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away from all the action. Ask the hotel about attractions close by or look up their location on the Internet.
If you often stay at the same hotel chain, check to see if they offer membership to frequent stay programs. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. You can exchange these points for discounts and freebies at the hotel and its restaurant. You may also be able to use them on local amenities.
Call the hotel you are planning to stay in and see if they offer any discounts. Many hotels offer discounts for senior citizens, business travelers, military personnel and government officials. Additionally, if you are a member of an automobile association, you may qualify for a reduced rate on your hotel stay.
It is not a good idea to place the “maid service needed” sign on your door at a hotel. This is a dead giveaway that you are not in the room. It can attract people who want to steal your valuables. It is better to notify the desk when you need maid service than to leave out the sign.
Inquire about hotel transfer costs before before booking. Particularly if you are getting a discount, the fee associated with the transfer may be high. Be sure and inquire about this beforehand so that you get your savings.
If your looking for a good vacation hotel, ask around among your friends. Be sure to do this especially if you’ve got friends that love to travel. They’ll often have excellent tips to help you find the best hotels with the best deals around. Plus, they’ll love sharing what they know!
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 sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. Many hotels still offer smoking rooms. Therefore, if you are a smoker, always ask for a room that allows smoking. 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.
If you choose the wrong hotel, it can ruin your vacation. Do your research and plan ahead accordingly. You will make your selection the smart way by learning more about how to get the best hotel deal. You shouldn’t end up not enjoying your vacation due to booking a bad hotel. Keep these tips in mind before your next vacation.