Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

When you are traveling, you're often going to find yourself staying in a hotel. Have you ever stayed at a hotel that just did not live up to your expectations? Surely you're abiding by your budget, and there are of course going to be several to choose from. In order to make the best lodging decision on your next trip, follow the advice that is about to be discussed.

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.

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.

When going on a trip, it is a good idea to book a vacation package instead of booking each service separately. While it may seem like you are spending a lot more money at once, the reality is that you will be getting a cheaper hotel stay than you would otherwise.

If you travel often and prefer one hotel brand, consider signing up for a loyalty program. These programs offer free room upgrades, a free night's stay after so many days and other advantages. To get the most from this service, sign up to be alerted of specials the hotel may run from time to time.

It can be hard to know how to select good hotels. Joining a travel club can be a very smart choice if you do a lot of traveling. Your travel club will provide you with hotel guide materials. Representatives can answer your questions, help you choose hotels and even help you plan and book your reservations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00nYpQMeyCk

If possible, don't check out earlier than intended. An early departure charge may be added to your bill if you leave sooner. You reserve a room when you book it, so if you leave early they lose money. This is why they usually charge you an fee for early departure.

Many hotels now give you a towel card at the time of check-in. These cards are exchanged for a beach towel to be used in the pool area. On your last night, turn your towel back in and get your towel card back. If you do not, you may be charged as much as $25 at check-out time.

If you find your reserved room is not available, you do have rights. Sometimes a hotel will overbook and you will find the room you booked is not available. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or "walk" you. Avoid getting "walked" whenever you can, but if you have to switch hotels, be certain that your reservation there is equivalent or even an upgrade.

There are many hidden fees that can substantially increase the cost of your hotel stay. For example, many hotels deliver a newspaper outside of your room and charge you for it. To ensure you are not charged for any unwanted items carefully read the contract before signing for your hotel room.

Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won't be able to check-in early. Be sure to not to show up early so you don't have to wait. Hotels use these in between hours to make sure rooms are cleaned and ready for the next occupant. If you're going to have to show up early, speak with the people at the front to see if you're able to get into the room, but don't think that it will happen.

Read reviews on hotels before you book your rooms. Sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor have reviews from travelers who share their experiences and rate the accommodations. A hotel that just has a couple of reviews may not present an accurate picture, but if many reviews have a common opinion about a hotel, you can rely on that more.

When you are planning to travel, finding the right hotel is key. From a budget place to a luxurious spa, what you http://www.bookingbuddy.com/vacation-rentals.php choose makes a huge difference. Keep in mind all that you learned from this article the next time that you place a hotel reservation.