Staying in a hotel can be such an enjoyable experience. But your excitement about your trip can quickly sour if you are stuck with a substandard room. So doing research to find the right hotel can make or break your trip. The tips below can help you easily find a great hotel, along with saving to make you even happier.
Consider your organizational memberships. Do they offer hotel discounts? The discounts could be 10% or even higher! They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. It can add up to equal a free night!
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.
When traveling with a pet, your choices of hotels will be limited. Once you find a hotel that is pet friendly, find out what the policies are with regard to pets. Most hotels charge an extra fee for pets, and they may have designated areas in which to walk your pet. Be sure you know the particulars ahead of time to avoid potential problems later.
When traveling with children, be sure the hotels you choose offer features the kids will enjoy. A playground on site is very helpful. A pool with plenty of shallow area and/or a kiddie pool will provide great play time. Also check to see if the hotel you are interested in offers a child care service.
If you want to book a good couples massage, you should not wait until the last minute. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. Head out early in the morning after donning your running gear. It will give you a perspective that you'll never get while riding in a car.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. They provide rewards to those who stay with them often. You might earn a free upgrade, late checkout time, or other great perks.
If you are planning to stay in a hotel for an entire week or longer, ask the hotel about long term price discounts. Hotels will often have weekly and monthly rates which are unpublished. These can offer significant price breaks for your hotel stay. Be sure to mention it upfront.
Being a member of AAA can save you money on hotels. Hotel and rental car discounts are available to AAA members. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.
Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. It will be a huge disappointment if you arrive at the hotel with the kids ready to swim and they are not able to do so.
It may come as a shock to you, but most hotels don't allow you to check-in early. Plan your trip right or you might end up waiting in a hotel lobby. Hotels need to get a room cleaned up before you get to check into it. If you do arrive early, ask the desk clerk if it's possible to check in early, but don't necessarily expect it.
To be a "green" hotel guest, check your bathroom counter and bed for a sign about how to keep the maids from taking your towels away each day. Usually, if you hang your linens up, they will stay in the room, but if you leave them on the floor, the maids will take them and give you clean ones.
Part of staying in a hotel is the relaxing and comfortable feel to your hotel room. You want it to be enjoyable and inviting. So remember all that you learned above when booking your next hotel room. Doing a bit of research and planning beforehand will help you stay more enjoyable and satisfying.
