Are you anxious about your vacation? Do you have your destination picked out but not your hotel? If you are putting off making reservations because you aren’t sure how to choose your accommodations, you need to keep reading. This article has advice that will help you pick your vacation hotel.
Be sure to read online review websites prior to booking a hotel. This will give you valuable information about the recent experiences of people at each hotel. These reviews can aid you in your decision about whether to book the hotel.
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.
When planning a vacation, be sure to make all of your hotel reservations well in advance. In this way, you can lock in lower rates. If you have some flexibility regarding when you take your vacation, be sure to find out about off season rates. Very often, the rate you pay in non-peak times of year is significantly lower.
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.
Spend some time reading online reviews of hotels left by real customers before you make a reservation. These reviews are often your best source of information, since they are written by people who have actually stayed at the hotel. Be sure to pay attention to the most recent reviews, since the hotel may have already addressed older complaints.
If you are traveling with pets, be sure to select hotels that have good accommodations for them. This is especially true if you are planning on an extended stay. A good hotel that allows pets should have amenities for them. These might include and groomer, doggy day care and special walking areas.
One way to save money when traveling is to search for a hotel that offers a free continental breakfast. This can save you a lot of money if you are staying for a week. Many of the top hotel chains offer large continental breakfasts consisting of breakfast meats, pastries and drinks.
Ask the hotel about their check-in time.. Some people neglect asking what the check-in time is and get to the hotel when their room is still not ready. Call and ask if you think you’ll be early.
If you know that you will need to make phone calls from your hotel room, check to make sure you will have free Wi-Fi service. Rather than using the in-room phone, and getting charged an arm and a leg, use an Internet phone service that is free. For example, both Skype and Line are possibilities.
Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. You should call ahead to double check, even if it was stated on the website that this is a pet friendly hotel. Be certain you understand all rules pertaining to pets. Some hotels only allow certain types, sizes and breeds.
Now that you know something about choosing a hotel, go make your reservations. That will be one more thing you can cross off your list. This vacation may just be the best one you ever take. Enjoy it, and remember what you’ve just learned the next time you plan a vacation.