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.
Do comparison shopping online. Often you"ll need to do some comparison shopping to find the best deals out there. Some quick web searches can do you a lot of good. There you'll see who has the best prices for hotels in the areas you are considering. It can save you some real cash.
To keep your family active and engaged when you are in a hotel far from home, talk to the concierge when you check in to get a list of nearby attractions. At the end of each day, sit down and map out a plan for the next morning. This gives you more vacation time and less time sitting in front of a television waiting to decide what to do.
Get all the information you need before booking a hotel room. In addition to making sure they serve all your basic needs, you should also ask if there are any events planned at the hotel at the same time you will be there. A convention, for instance, can mean you will be in a noisy, crowded hotel.
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To keep from paying through the nose for dry cleaning services from a hotel, ask what the costs are before you send your clothing out. If you need cleaning done, it's often cheaper to walk down the street to a nearby dry cleaner. People who are in town on business often benefit greatly from these savings.
If your hotel offers a kid's club, and you are considering leaving your child there, take a few precautions. Find out if the staff has undergone background checks and ask about the child to adult ratio. In addition, ask what the procedure is for picking up the child. You want to make sure that someone can't just walk up and leave with your little one.
If you plan on using any glasses from the hotel minibar, make sure that you wash them first. Even if they appear to be clean, they may have been wiped with a chemical cleaner. Many housekeeping staff use the same products that they use to clean windows and mirrors on those glasses.
If you plan to use the telephone provided in your hotel room, know what to expect as far as charges. Some hotels offer free local calls, but others charge for each call. In addition to any long distance charges, the hotel usually adds an extra fee. Use your cell phone to make calls from your hotel room when possible.
The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Availability dictates the prices of hotel rooms. Try to always book your hotel room only a day in advance. This can net you a great deal. Empty rooms don't earn the hotel money, so they're happy to cut the price and reserve a room.
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.
Find out if the hotel you're staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. There is nothing worse than having to tell your excited kids they cannot swim.
You should take your time when checking out to ensure that your bill is correct. Travelers often find additional fees for items that weren't used or wanted. For example, many hotels now charge a usage fee for their gyms and swimming pools. If you see you have been charged for an unwanted item, contest the charge with the manager on duty.
If Wi-Fi is a very important amenity and you are looking to save a bit of money on your hotel stay, it would be a good idea to stay at someplace that is mid-level. While high-end hotels may be a bit cozier, they usually have a surcharge for Internet use.
To save money on your next hotel stay, try booking your room for a Sunday night check-in. Sunday nights are the slowest for hotels as weekend travelers are checking out at that time. You can often find great deals if you use this to your advantage, when hotels want more business..
Remember that some hotels allow negotiation for room rates. It doesn't hurt to try and haggle to see if you can. It can save you some additional money, and that's always a good thing. The worst that can happen is that the receptionist says no, so give it a shot.
Whenever possible, do not check out prior to the scheduled date of your departure. The hotel could impose a fee if you check out early. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. Therefore, some will charge the early departure fee.
Hotels that are close to tourist destinations tend to be pricy. If you do not mind traveling a few minutes to reach your destination, consider staying at a hotel that is a bit further away. The rates at hotels that are a bit off the beaten path are often much more reasonable than their counterparts that are right in the center of the action.
Clearly, research and good planning are key in getting the best prices on the best hotel rooms. You just need to know what you are looking for and when you should book it. Keep the tips above fresh in your mind when you're booking your next vacation stay.
