Simple Advice To Get The Most From Your Hotel Stay

By Sammy Sheilds


Have you ever made a hotel reservation, only to discover upon your arrival that the place was a dump? This is all too common and can ruin your entire vacation. You don't have the budget for luxurious accommodations, though. For ways to find a great hotel for a reasonable price, continue reading.

Prior to reserving a room at a hotel, look on the Internet for reviews. One great site is TripAdvisor. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. What former guests have to say with regards to a hotel being considered can ensure you make an informed decision.

Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. This will cost you a little extra, but the convenience it provides is worth it.

Before you book a hotel, look for deals online. Lots of times, when you book a room, they don't tell you about online discounts. For this reason, making a proactive search is advisable. Use websites such as Jetsetter, SniqueAway or RueLaLaTravel.

There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Choose a hotel that meets all of your needs.

Ask the hotel about their check-in time.. Sometimes there are people that don't know when the room will be ready and so they aren't sure of what to do with the extra time they have since they can't check in. Call the hotel if you are early and find out if your room is ready.

You should always start planning any serious trip months or weeks ahead of time. This will help you book early and get the best prices. Some hotels have a discount if you book your room a month or more ahead of time. That saves you 50 percent or more frequently!

Don't unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do a quick check to ensure that the shower, sink and toilet are all in proper working order. Are there enough linens and towels? If you spot any problems, make the front desk aware immediately so they can take care of it or move you to a room that meets your needs.

If you go to the same hotel often, see if they have frequent stay programs you can become a member of. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.

It is wise to join a hotel loyalty program if you travel frequently. They give people benefits if they go to that chain often. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.

To keep from having an unwanted major expense on your hotel bill, ask about the cost of hotel transfers before booking them. If you're getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. You save the most money when you ask about this beforehand.

If you wish to have happy kids while you're on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. It is extremely frustrating for you and your children to arrive at a hotel expecting a pool and/or other activities only to discover that there are none.

Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. There is nothing worse than getting to a hotel with kids to find the pool is closed.

Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. Bedbugs usually won't stay here. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It is also the safest place for children and pets, too.

Make sure that your family enjoys their stay by calling ahead to ensure the hotel's swimming pool is working, It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming "pool" only to find out it's closed.

What is the policy on pets? It may be best to stay clear of hotels that accept pets if you are afraid of dogs or are allergic to pets. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.

If you require a rollaway bed or crib at your hotel, let the person know when making a reservation. Not every hotel will have these things, and if they do they may not have many. In addition, there is sometimes an extra charge for these items. Talk about these things when you make your reservations.

Be aware of your options in case a hotel "walks" you. Hotels sometimes overbook, which means you discover that your reservation is unavailable. The hotel will attempt to foist you off on another hotel. It's best to avoid this, but if you can't, be sure you are going to a better hotel and getting a better room.

If you are particular about cleanliness, you probably shouldn't use the hotel bedspread. While sheets and linens are always washed, the topmost bedspread may not be, depending on the hotel policy. That can mean it is full of germs, bacteria or who knows what else. Therefore, as soon as you walk into your room, take the bedspread off the bed.

After reading all of the great information provided above, you should be more prepared in your quest for the perfect hotel room at an excellent price. Over time, finding great hotel bargains will become faster and easier because you'll know where exactly to look and what you're looking for. Just use these tips, and you can't go wrong.




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