It takes considerable effort when it comes to planning a vacation. You must decide where to go, figure out how to get there and find a place to stay. If you don’t select the right option, it won’t be fun. This article will help you to find a hotel that is perfect for your needs.
To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. If you’re a member of a loyalty program of a hotel, make sure you input that data when checking out rates. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.
To get a meal later at night order yourself some room service. Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.
When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. You may or may not care about such amenities such as a gym, large pool, WiFi or a free breakfast buffet. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Utilize the Internet when searching for a hotel. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. Finally, they can assist you in deciding when to vacation and what to do once you arrive at your destination.
If you are a runner, be sure to bring your running clothes and shoes. When you wake up in the morning, throw on your gear and head out for a morning jog. It will give you a better perspective of the city you are visiting.
If you tend to stay at the same hotel a lot, see about signing up for their frequent guest program. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some new hotels are built to green standards and are certified green. Old hotels will change their practices to be more green. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.
Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. Particularly when the room price is a big deal, the hidden fee of transfer often can be the difference. Inquire before you book, so you aren’t hit with an unexpected price increase.
Get an AAA membership for hotel perks when you travel. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. If you are a parent of a young child, you may even be provided with a free car seat.
You don’t want to make too many long distance calls while you’re staying in a hotel room. Try using the Internet, instead. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. This can be a much cheaper option than calling from a hotel room and getting hit with lots of fees.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure that you check on the pools to ensure they’re open and in service. Showing up at your hotel and finding out the pool isn’t in working order can ruin an otherwise great trip.
If you wish to see if a hotel room has bed bugs, check out the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. That means you can store your luggage here as you inspect. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.
Check out the hotel’s pet policy. If you are allergic to animals, you should probably avoid staying in hotels that allow people to bring their pets. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. Some hotels charge a nominal fee for pets, while others charge substantially more. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
Early Departure
If it’s possible, try not to check out before the departure date you had originally scheduled. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. Upon reserving a hotel room, you tie up that room in the hotel. This means that your early departure results in the hotel losing money. They will charge a departure fee so they get back what they lose.
Understand your rights when it comes to hotels “walking” you. This happens when the room you requested is unavailable because of overbooking on the part of the hotel. This will require that you have to stay at a different hotel. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.
Stop yourself from staying in a bad hotel room. Make sure you research the hotel and make your plans accordingly. The better informed you are, the better choices you’ll make. Enjoy your hotel as much as the rest of your trip. Remember these tips as you plan your vacation.