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 good hotel makes a good trip even better, but a poor hotel turns a good trip into a bad trip. Read on for help in finding a great hotel.
Check out online travel websites in order to discover the best deals on hotels. Examples include Orbitz and Expedia. If you are a member of a particular hotel’s loyalty program, remember to include that information when you are checking on rates. You may also qualify for discounts from other organizations you belong to such as AAA or AARP.
Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. The cost will be a bit higher, but not having to dress up and go out will be worth it.
Keep your electronics secure by using the hotel safe located in your hotel room. Place your iPad, GPS and other small electronics in the safe when you are not in your room.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. While price is obviously a factor, you may want to think about room size and amenities as well. Internet access, pools, fitness centers and breakfast offered are a few other things to consider. You want to secure a room at a hotel that provides the things you desire.
Use online search tools for hotels. They allow you to quickly locate great discounts. They can also show you what the hotel’s average rates typically are, allowing you to see whether you are actually getting a good deal or not. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.
Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. If you might arrive prior to check-in time, try calling the hotel and seeing if the room is available.
If you belong to AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You can save five percent or more on certain hotels. This can add up on a long trip.
If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Similar to how you earn points from frequent flyer programs, hotels offer you similar rewards for your stay. They can amount to show tickets, free nights, spa deals, hotel restaurants discounts and much more.
Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. These are much more common today than they were in the past. There are plenty of hotels built today with strong environmental standards. Hotels that have been around for a while may employ a variety of eco-friendly practices. Speak with a travel agent to see if they can help you pick out hotels that care about the environment.
Maximize your hotel stays with membership programs like the ones that Marriott or Choice Hotels offer. Every stay in a particular hotel chain where you are a member will add points to your total, which can later be used on free rooms or amenities that usually cost you.
Most folks don’t put enough time into finding a good hotel, and they wind up regretting taking the very first reservation. But this can really end up backfiring. Use the advice you’ve just been given, and enjoy your stay.