A hotel stay can be a relaxing getaway or it can be an expensive regrettable nightmare. The difference is knowing how to find the right hotel and how to get the best prices. So the tips below are perfect for finding the right room at the right price. So keep reading and start planning your next hotel stay.
To save money on a minibar or vending machine at a hotel, pack a cooler before you start out on your trip, and throw in some six-packs of soda or beer and a bottle of wine. When you get to the hotel, if you have a small fridge, you are all ready. If there isn’t a fridge, use the ice machine and your cooler to keep things chilled.
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.
When leaving your hotel room, keep any electronics you have secure by putting them in the room’s safe. You can stash your expensive electronics and jewelry in the safe and go about your day without worry.
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.
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.
Not every hotel allows pets. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.
To get the best possible rate for a hotel room, book well in advance of your trip. Rates are markedly higher if you just get the room at the desk. In addition to saving you a lot of money, advance booking will also ensure you aren’t left without a room.
If you plan on bringing your family to a hotel, you should look for family-friendly policies and special deals online. Try using family vacation review sites. You can find many family hotels and resort reviews. Searching through these sites should help you also locate deals to make your trip more enjoyable and affordable.
If you like running and frequently stay in hotel rooms, be sure and pack up a GPS watch, along with your favorite running clothes. Go for a run when you wake up in the morning. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.
As you see, there are many things you can do to make sure that you get a room at a great hotel.But you also want one at a price that will be right for your budget. Using the advice from above will help you weed out the bad so you can book a hotel room that puts your mind at ease.