There are thousands of hotels across the United States, from fancy five-star luxury resorts to shabby little roadside motels that haven’t changed in decades. A nice hotel room really adds to your trip, but a terrible one can ruin your vacation. Read on to learn how you can find a good hotel.
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.
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.
After you check prices for hotels online, call the hotel’s direct number. Sometimes you can get a better price when you reserve directly through the hotel rather than through the company’s website or toll-free number. In addition, you can make any special requests during this call, such as requesting a quiet room or a crib.
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 sensible safety and security precautions when you stay at a hotel. Find out where all the fire exits are in case of an emergency. Also, note where the nearby fire extinguishers are located. If you have any valuables, keep them in the safe at the desk or in the room.
If you wish to keep things safe in a hotel, use the hotel’s safe that’s in the closet of your room. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.
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.
Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. They will also let you know what people pay on average when they go to that hotel. This lets you figure out if the deal you’re getting is a good one. They also can help with figuring out when the ideal time to go on vacation is and what you can do once you are there.
Do you stay at a particular hotel chain fairly often? Consider signing up for their loyalty club. As long as it is free to do so, you really have nothing to lose. Giving the hotel your contact information could mean getting special perks that you can use the next time you stay there.
People are often stuck with a less than ideal hotel because they did not do their research first. This leaves them disappointed most of the time. Use the tips from this article so that you do not have to spend the night in unpleasant accommodations.