Finding the perfect hotel can either make or break an entire vacation. If your hotel is costly, it will consume money you could be using to enjoy your vacation. Likewise, spending too little can cause you to regret taking your vacation. Continue reading for some good advice for your next hotel visit.
Find great prices at online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.
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.
Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. You can place your small, expensive items such as your iPad in the safe, so you can enjoy your day knowing they are safe and secure.
There are quite a few things you need to think over when you’re about to stay at a hotel. Of course price is a big deal, but a hotel close to where you are head is a big consideration. A gym, pool, free breakfast, free wireless Internet, free local calls, and all kinds of other things may be important. Look for a hotel that gives you a lot of the things you are looking for.
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.
If you are traveling with pets, be sure to select hotels that have good accommodations for them. This is especially true if you are planning on an extended stay. A good hotel that allows pets should have amenities for them. These might include and groomer, doggy day care and special walking areas.
If you plan on bringing your family to a hotel, you should look for family-friendly policies and special deals online. Try using family vacation review sites. You can find many family hotels and resort reviews. Searching through these sites should help you also locate deals to make your trip more enjoyable and affordable.
Advice For Your Next Hotel Visit
Get all the information you need before booking a hotel room. In addition to making sure they serve all your basic needs, you should also ask if there are any events planned at the hotel at the same time you will be there. A convention, for instance, can mean you will be in a noisy, crowded hotel.
It is often helpful to choose a hotel that includes a free breakfast. While many of the breakfasts are not elaborate, they offer you a way to start your day off right without having to search for a place to eat. Many hotels offer a continental breakfast that includes, coffee, tea and pastries while others offer cereal, eggs, pancakes, waffles and other breakfast foods.
Avoid using the phone in the hotel to make any calls. If you do not have a mobile phone, it would be a good idea to purchase a prepaid phone to make calls during your stay. The only exception should be if free local calls are included in the room rate.
When booking your room, get exactly what you want. If you want a good view, make sure you get one. If you want to be away from the pool area, make sure you get that as well. Look at a layout of the hotel before calling or booking so you have a good idea of what to expect.
If preserving the environment is of interest to you, you can chose a “green” vacation. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Hotels that have been around for a while may employ a variety of eco-friendly practices. You can ask a travel agent to pinpoint eco-friendly hotels, thus making sure your vacation doesn’t hurt the environment.
There are websites available that offer you an instant discount if the hotel you have booked decreases in price before your stay. You may end up with a good amount of money back in your pocket. The best thing about this type of site is that the opposite does not apply. If the rates increase, you will only have to pay the amount you were originally quoted.
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.
Stay safe and secure in a hotel. Travelers to hotels are often robbed even when they are inside the room. Use every lock the hotel provides, including the handle lock, chain and deadbolt. Hotels are a magnet for shady characters looking to exploit people who are traveling with a lot of money and valuables.
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.
As already discussed, staying in an expensive hotel takes away from money you could spend on other things. Using these tips, book a room on a budget. Now you’ve been better prepared with this advice for your next hotel visit. With the money you save, you’ll be able to afford that perfect gift you’ve been eyeing for that special someone 😉