Having a disastrous hotel stay is something that almost everyone has experienced. It is pretty expensive mistake and no one wants to make that mistake twice. So, read this article to learn how you can get the best value on the perfect hotel for you.

Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. These types of sites let you read about real customers’ experiences with each hotel. Their opinions can help you decide whether or not a certain hotel is the right one for you.

Use online travel sites, such as Expedia and Orbitz, to find the best prices at the hotels you want to stay at. If you are a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, don’t forget to add that information as you check rates. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.

If you want a nice meal at night with your special someone, and you are too comfortable in your room to go out, order some food through room service. This service comes at a premium, but you can stay comfortable in your room while enjoying you eats.

There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. Any of those types of sites will help you get a great discount. They will also let you know what people pay on average when they go to that hotel. This lets you figure out if the deal you’re getting is a good one. They might even offer some decent entertainment venues that you should experience while you’re in the local area.

Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are you given the linens and towels that you’re going to need? If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.

In order to get the best hotel deals, always plan your trips weeks ahead of schedule, or even a few months. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. You might even be able to save up to 50 percent off at some very exclusive hotels.

Taking a pet on a trip requires some extra responsibility. You want to ensure you’ve chosen a pet-friendly hotel. For easy cleanup, make sure that you have brought along an adequate number of plastic bags. Finally, ask the hotel staff if you can have a room on the far end away from guests so that you don’t interfere with their visit.

Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. If you want to jog early in the morning, don your gear and then go for it. It will give you a perspective that you’ll never get while riding in a car.

Loyalty Programs

For people who are frequent travelers, consider signing up for some loyalty programs with your favorite hotels. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. It is possible to earn perks such as free stays, extended check out times and other upgrades.

If you stay at the same hotels all the time, check to see if they have a frequent-stay program. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. These points can add up to hotel restaurant discounts, spa deals, free nights and much more.

If you care about the environment, then you may be interested in taking a “green” vacation. Many hotels offer environmentally friendly standards today. Newer hotels are often certified green and designed and built using green standards. Some older hotels simply choose a variety of eco-friendly practices to be environmentally aware. Ask your booking agent about green hotels.

The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Hotels price rooms in part based on availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. Hotels don’t earn money on empty rooms, so they are often willing to reduce the price.

If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. Showing up at your hotel and finding out the pool isn’t in working order can ruin an otherwise great trip.

Staying at a bad hotel can be a real nightmare. Cheap prices aren’t worth bad experiences. Your trip is going to be ruined, no matter what. Follow the tips presented here to get great value in accommodations. By selecting the right hotel, you are more ensured to have an excellent trip.