To accommodate a small family without having to pay for more than one hotel room, look for a location that offers suites. Often the rates are competitive with single-room rates at other hotels, but the addition of a living area (and a fold-out bed) means that more of you can sleep comfortably.
To keep your packing to a minimum on a long trip to one destination, choose a hotel that offers a coin laundry facility. This way, you don't have to pack as much, and when you are about halfway through your trip, you can wash and dry everything. When it's almost time to go, repeat the process so you don't get home with a bunch of dirty clothes.
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. If the hotel is a partner of a frequent flier program, you can also gain airline miles. Check the airline or hotel website to see what you're qualified for.
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.
Bedbugs have become a problem at hotels in recent years, so upon entering your hotel room, check for signs of these critters. Check for stains on bedding and behind walls. If you notice any signs that point to the possible presence of bedbugs, request a different room. Bedbugs can travel home with you in your luggage, causing an unwelcome infestation in your home.
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.
Use Twitter to your advantage. Prior to booking your hotel, tweet the property and see if there are any discounts available. Social media is becoming more popular than ever, and hotels use this medium to get the word out about the specials they have out there. You can simply use the search function on Twitter if you aren't very familiar with tweeting.
The housekeeping staff at the hotel may be able to help if you forget to bring toiletries with you. Most hotels provide soap, conditioner and shampoo as a matter of course, but they may also have toothbrushes, razors, other, toothpaste and combs necessary items on hand for those who request them. Many even supply hair dryers in the room, so you do not have to bring your own along.
Sign on to Facebook and find the page of the hotel you are staying at. If the staff responds, write a little message on their page, and see. 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.
It is not a good idea to place the "maid service needed" sign on your door at a hotel. This is a dead giveaway that you are not in the room. It can attract people who want to steal your valuables. It is better to notify the desk when you need maid service than to leave out the sign.
If you frequently stay there on business trips, join the hotel's membership program. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.
Know what the industry term "walk" means when booking a room. Sometimes a hotel will overbook and you will find the room you booked is not available. The hotel "walks" you to a new hotel nearby. Try to avoid this if you can, but if not, make sure that you are given a room that is equal to or better than the one you booked. They should also provide you with transportation to get to the other hotel.
Don't drink the bottled water you'll find in your hotel room. You may be thirsty and tired when you arrive. The bottled water inside the mini fridge may tempt you. Hotels are counting on this, and they jack up the price of the water accordingly. Some hotels offer free bottles of water in their gyms. To be safe, you should pack some water bottles yourself.
To keep sand out of your hotel room when you are staying at the beach, make sure that you and the kids stop at the hose or faucet at the entrance of your hotel on the beach. If there isn't one at your hotel, find one nearby, and then either dry your feet off and slide them into your shoes, or walk barefoot back to your hotel.
Do not take any of the hotel's linens with you when you leave. The housekeeping staff is sure to notice, and you may receive a bill from the hotel, if you do take any items. Ask the hotel about buying them if you truly love them.
When booking hotel rooms on a discount site, keep in mind that you will not be given any of the best rooms at the hotel. Since many discount site users are not likely to visit again unless a similar deal is presented, the better rooms are saved for guests who are paying full price.
To ensure that you get the very best out of your hotel stay, check the online reviews, not just for the brand but for your particular location. Within a brand, there can be significant variances in terms lf quality. Make sure that your stay is as satisfying as possible by researching your room.
You could end up having to stay in a real dump if you just make a reservation at the first hotel that you find. Don't ruin your vacation by staying in a cut-rate, run-down hotel. Instead, take some time to find a great hotel by making good use of these tips.
