Every year, tons of people book their dream vacations. For some, the vacation goes as planned, and a good time is had by all. For others, however, what should be a pleasurable time is ruined simply because they picked the wrong hotel. Don’t let that happen to you. You can prevent it by applying the tips you find below.
Prior to beginning a hotel search, try thinking about what accommodations you want and can afford. Figure out if the hotel’s location is more important than its price or if you limited to hotels under a certain price range. Also consider whether you need one that has items like spas and fitness centers or just a beautiful view.
Room service is one of the best parts about a hotel. How else could you possibly enjoy a midnight snack without leaving your bed? Room service can be expensive, but the luxury of being able to lounge about in your room in your jammies can make it worthwhile.
Do comparison shopping online. Often you”ll need to do some comparison shopping to find the best deals out there. Some quick web searches can do you a lot of good. There you’ll see who has the best prices for hotels in the areas you are considering. It can save you some real cash.
If you are a member of a frequent flyer program or travel a lot, try joining a hotel loyalty program. You can earn points and use them toward your upcoming stays. You can also gain airline miles if the hotel is a partner of a frequent flier program. Check the airline or hotel website to see what you’re qualified for.
Read the reviews before choosing hotels that look less than top notch. Sure there are lots of hotels that don’t look like the Four Seasons, and there are many that are plenty clean to stay in. There are others though that can be very dirty inside. Reading reviews can help you steer clear of the poorer lot of hotels out there.
If you want to save some serious money on your hotel reservations, get the price bundled with something else. This is typically done through an online travel site. When bundled with airfare, hotel room rates drop dramatically, sometimes by over half the list rates that are publicly advertised elsewhere on the Internet.
If you’re training for a marathon and have a weeklong business trip planned, there’s no reason to let your running slip. Look online for local running groups in the city where you are going to stay, and join them for their social runs. If there aren’t many groups, look for local running stores, as they also offer social jogs.
Timing matters when booking a hotel room. Rooms prices are based on their availability. If it’s possible, your room should be booked around a day in advance or more. You can often get the best price if you do it this way. The hotel will earn no money at all if the room is empty, which gives you a much better bargaining position.
Use Twitter to your advantage. Prior to booking your hotel, tweet the property and see if there are any discounts available. Social media is becoming more popular than ever, and hotels use this medium to get the word out about the specials they have out there. If you aren’t very familiar with tweeting, you can simply use the search function on Twitter.
Sign on to Facebook and find the page of the hotel you are staying at. Write a little message on their page, and see if the staff responds. You never know, they may offer you a special perk! If nothing else, keep up with what is happening on the page in case any specials are announced.
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.
If possible, try to stay in a hotel during the off-season. Most hotels know how desperate people are to find a room during the travel season. They tend to jack up their prices because they know people are willing to pay for the room. If you go during the off-season, you will get big discounts!
Now that you have read this piece, you are much more likely to book great accommodations. Remember to apply these tips as you look for your hotel. You will have a great time on your vacation without having to worry about where you are going to stay. It will be great!