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 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 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.
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.
When searching for a hotel, consider “bundle” packages. For example, if you have to fly to your location, look for a bundle that includes both your hotel room and your airfare. You should save quite a bit of money that way, but make sure to always double-check the regular room rate to ensure you are getting a good deal.
To save a little bit of money on the cost of your hotel room, whether you are booking over the phone or online, see if there is a discount for paying at the time of booking rather than waiting to pay at checkout. Often this can make the difference between queen and king beds, or between a room and a suite.
If you are out of the room for any length of time, protect the valuables you leave in the room. In addition to leaving expensive items in a safe, leave the television on when you are out of the room. That will make it look like you are still there and thieves will move on.
Read the reviews before choosing hotels that look less than top notch. Sure there are lots of hotels that don’t look like the Four Seasons, and there are many that are plenty clean to stay in. There are others though that can be very dirty inside. Reading reviews can help you steer clear of the poorer lot of hotels out there.
If you are interested in “going green” when traveling, try going to a “green” hotel. Start by looking for these hotels online. There are several organizations that let you search for these hotels easily like Green Hotels Association and Green Globe. They will have a comprehensive list of green hotels in different locations.
It can be hard to know how to select good hotels. Joining a travel club can be a very smart choice if you do a lot of traveling. Your travel club will provide you with hotel guide materials. Representatives can answer your questions, help you choose hotels and even help you plan and book your reservations.
You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. There are a lot of eco-friendly hotels out there. Some hotels are certified to be green. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.
How much you’re going to pay for your hotel room will depend on when your room is booked. The price of a hotel room varies with availability. If at all possible, do not book your room more than one day in advance. This will get you the very best rate on your hotel room. A room that’s empty loses money for the hotel; so, they usually cut the price.
When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` AAA members can receive great hotel discounts as well as locate a rental car much more easily. In addition, parents may enjoy the benefit of having free car seats provided.
Book your hotel room as far in advance as possible. You will be surprised at how quickly hotels fill up, especially in smaller towns with few hotels. If you wait until last minute, there is a good chance you may not even be able to book a room. So, be sure to reserve your room as soon as you know you need one!
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!