The hotel where you stay can be paradise or a very expensive nightmare. You need to know how to find the right hotel so that your trip is not ruined. Read these tips to learn how to shop like the best travelers do.
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.
The Internet is a great place to research hotels. These kinds of websites allow you to locate great deals fast. They can tell you what the average rate at a hotel is, ensuring you know the general pricing. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.
If you want to get a low rate at your hotel, start planning early for your vacation. If you can book early, you may get a huge discount. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Find out what their rules on pets are also, as they may not let large pets or certain breeds stay with them.
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.
To keep from paying through the nose for dry cleaning services from a hotel, ask what the costs are before you send your clothing out. If you need cleaning done, it’s often cheaper to walk down the street to a nearby dry cleaner. People who are in town on business often benefit greatly from these savings.
Make location a top priority when it comes to searching for hotels. If you are going to be staying in a city and want to sight-see, it may not be wise to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away from all the action. Ask the hotel about attractions close by or look up their location on the Internet.
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 traveling with children, make sure you tell the front desk about your needs when you call to make a reservation. For example, do you need a pack and play? Make that known before you show up at the hotel. Also, ask if there is space in the room to set up a crib. You may need to ask for a larger room so that your entire family can be comfortable.
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.
Find out how the hotel handles pets. If you are afraid of pets or have allergies to them, you should probably avoid booking at pet friendly hotels. Because odors have a tendency to linger on fabrics and rugs, the hotel may have an odor about it. Certain hotels will charge guests extra for keeping pets in the room; however, many hotels’ extra charge is very little. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.
If a hotel is trying to “walk” you, then you’ll know what the rights are you have. You might find that a room you booked isn’t available when you arrive because they overbooked. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or “walk” you. If you can’t avoid this, then make sure you are getting a room that is still worth the value that you have already paid.
Just doing a little bit of homework before booking a hotel room can help you to save on hotel expenses and pick a great place. You must know what to ask about and look for when booking a hotel room. Follow the tips presented here to find an excellent hotel at an affordable price.