The place you stay can be the difference in having a good or bad vacation. Staying in an expensive hotel, can break your budget. Read on to learn how you can book hotels on a budget.

Look for a closet safe in your hotel room, and use it for any expensive electronics you may have brought with you. Your iPad, watch, and other smaller, expensive items can be placed into the safe, then you can rest assured at their safety as you head out for a fun-filled day.

Take advantage of online hotel searching tools. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. They also list the average cost of a hotel room, allowing you to ensure you are receiving an acceptable deal. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Never book a hotel room before seeking out online deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. It is your responsibility to scour the Internet for these savings. Websites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com usually have some great discounts.

Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Does the plumbing work right? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. If you notice a problem, be sure to inform the front desk right away to have these problems resolved.

Plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. This way, you can save as much as 50 percent even with the most elite brands.

Use your AAA discount at hotels. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You may be able to save upwards of five percent at hotels nationwide. It’s a way to save money that can add up fast.

If you want to keep up your running regimen on the road, make sure that your packing list includes lots of running clothes and a GPS watch. Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Even if you stick to city streets, you will gain a better perspective on your destination city before you leave.

If you are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. With enough points you can get free rooms in the future. They may also offer discounts for shows, restaurants and other things.

The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. The prices are based partly on availability. If possible, book your room no more than 24 hours in advance. You may find the best prices this way. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.

If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. The more points you get, the more free stays you can use for vacations.

Never use the hotel phone for long distance calls. Use the Internet, instead. Hotels usually have Wi-Fi, so you can call using Skype. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.

Inspect your room for bed bugs, starting with the bathroom. This is where bedbugs are least likely to be. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s safe for pets and kids too.

Do you smoke? If so, it is important that you are aware of a hotel’s smoking policy in advance. Hotels normally have rooms set aside for smokers. Ask to see if any of these are available. If they find you have smoked in a non-smoking area, they may charge you a fine.

Always review the policy of whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Usually, hotels that do allow pets will have a strong odor coming from the linens as well as the carpeting. There may be an extra fee to have a pet stay. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.

For hygienic reasons, it might be best to avoid the provided bedspread in your room. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Remove the bedspread and use your own travel blanket or comforter, instead.

You have rights in the event where a hotel needs to “walk” you. You might find that a room you booked isn’t available when you arrive because they overbooked. When this happens, the hotel directs you to another property, “walking” you. If you can’t avoid this, then make sure you are getting a room that is still worth the value that you have already paid.

Do not drink the bottled water that is offered in the rooms. Sure, you’re thirsty and hot. You may get tempted to open a bottle of water that is in the hotel’s mini-fridge. Hotels know this very well, and that bottled water is exponentially more expensive than it should be. Check out the gym instead; they may have free water. Even better, bring along a few of your own bottles.

Depriving Yourself

By booking a bad hotel, you are depriving yourself of the fun and excitement that comes from staying in a good hotel. In addition, you are depriving yourself of money you need for other travel necessities. With the advice you have read here, you can find a decent hotel at a reasonable price. Keep these tips in mind when you plan on booking your next hotel.