It can be overwhelming to book a hotel room. So doing some research before doing anything else is important. You want to establish things like prices and accommodations. Planning ahead can make all the difference. Read these tips to make booking a hotel room a breeze.
Before you make reservations at a particular hotel, check its reviews on websites like TripAdvisor. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. Other customers can give you some valuable insight and help you choose the right place to stay.
To ensure that you get the best service from the custodial staff at a hotel, leave a few dollars each morning for each bed that you use. This nominal cost will help you get rooms that receive the little extras, such as a towel or two more, or even an extra pillow.
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.
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.
Make use of the room safe to ensure the safety of your electronics when you are not in your room. You can use it to store your tablet and other expensive items to keep them secure.
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.
Inspect your room before unpacking your bags. Is the room clean? Do the toilet, sink and shower work properly? Are there enough of the right linens? If you find obvious problems, notify the front desk right away so the hotel can correct the problems or they can assign a different room.
Do not always assume that staying on the club floor of a hotel is a great way to waste money. While you may have to pay for this upgrade, you will end up saving more money in the end. This is because things like drinks, appetizers and free breakfast are part of the deal, and these things are very expensive when purchased separately.
Pay attention to your security when you stay at a hotel. Make note of the fire exits and locations of fire extinguishers. Keep your door locked, and keep your key or key card in a safe place. Stash any valuables in the hotel safe. Consider bringing a flashlight along and keeping it by your bed in case you need it during the night.
If you are looking for deals on a hotel room, you may have to go straight to the source yourself. Many hotels do not post ads all over the Internet offering discounts. You usually have to find them yourself. Simply call potential hotels and ask them if they have any promotions or discounts.
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!
Many hotels now give you a towel card at the time of check-in. These cards are exchanged for a beach towel to be used in the pool area. On your last night, turn your towel back in and get your towel card back. If you do not, you may be charged as much as $25 at check-out time.
If you checked out a hotel price a few weeks ago, be sure to check it out again. Prices for hotel rooms fluctuate not only week to week, but also day to day. There could be a new price available just because you waited. This is especially true if there’s a lot of extra room inventory.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure. Once you have confirmed your reservation, understand that the room is reserved for you, and the hotel loses money if you leave early. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.
These tips should help you get the ideal room for your budget and needs. So before you begin planning your next hotel stay, keep these suggestions in mind. You will be able to find the perfect hotel room at an excellent price.
