If you are going to stay in a hotel, be sure to give them a call the day before you are due to arrive. Hotels are not responsible for calling guests to confirm their reservation; that is up to the guest. Always call the hotel to be sure your room is still reserved.
To keep your incidentals at a minimum, especially when you are staying at a hotel outside the US, ask about the cost of wireless Internet before you check in, and especially before you log in the first time. Some hotels don't disclose the costly per-minute costs of Internet access, but they will certainly show up on the bill.
To get a workout without leaving your hotel room, take your suspension training gear along. Most systems fit into a bag that doesn't weigh more than three or four pounds, and all you need is a door frame to attach the system to. You can get a solid strength training workout by using your body weight to provide resistance.
If you smoke, learn the smoking policy of the hotel where you are staying. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. If your selected hotel does, ask for one. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.
Be sure you understand the pet policy of the hotel. If you fear pets or have allergies to them, make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Hotel floors and linens can glean unpleasant odors from pets. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don't always charge a lot. The fee might be too low to cover the extra cleaning costs.
Stay safe and secure in a hotel. Travelers to hotels are often robbed even when they are inside the room. Use every lock the hotel provides, including the handle lock, chain and deadbolt. Hotels are a magnet for shady characters looking to exploit people who are traveling with a lot of money and valuables.
Pay attention to your security when you stay at a hotel. Make note of the fire exits and locations of fire extinguishers. Keep your door locked, and keep your key or key card in a safe place. Stash any valuables in the hotel safe. Consider bringing a flashlight along and keeping it by your bed in case you need it during the night.
Talk to a travel agent about potential hotel deals. You may think you'll be paying more by going through a travel agent, but more often than not the opposite is true. Travel agents typically have access to unpublished deals not only for the hotel, but also for airfare and vacation activities.
Remember that clear dates are essential to hotel booking. You may have found the ideal hotel, but then you find that it is completely booked. Try planning ahead. The time of year also affects availability and price. If it's the high season, prices may sky rocket. Consider when and how long you need to stay, then try booking your stay as soon as possible.
Sign on to Facebook and find the page of the hotel you are staying at. Write a little message on their page, and see if the staff responds. You never know, they may offer you a special perk! If nothing else, keep up with what is happening on the page in case any specials are announced.
Unless it is an emergency, always stay for the total number of nights that you have booked. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. This means that they must compensate for that loss with a fee for early departure.
To get the most out of a hotel room on a business trip, look online at the various choices to see which places offer a free happy hour. At the end of a long day of meetings, having a free margarita or beer at your hotel before getting ready for dinner can be quite pleasant.
It's not hard to find a great hotel room today. You're better prepared now by knowing exactly what it is you're looking for. It's time to plan your travels and have an enjoyable stay. You are bound to have wonderful stories to tell when you get back!
