Getting a vacation planned will be quite a bit of work. This not only requires selecting your vacation destination. This also requires finding a hotel room. Staying at the wrong hotel can ruin a long anticipated getaway. The information here will help you find the best hotel.

Compare prices at websites like Orbitz and Expedia to ensure that you receive the best available rate. As you check your rates, don’t forget to include that you’re a loyalty program member. You can also get additional discounts from any organization you are apart of, such as the AAA or the AARP.

Think about using room service if you want to enjoy late-night dining without needing to leave your hotel room. While you’re likely to pay a little more, it’s worth having the convenience of staying in your room (and in your pajamas) while you wait to satisfy those nocturnal cravings.

Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? Any problems that you notice should be reported to front desk staff right away. That way, they can be rectified or you can change rooms.

If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. Many locations offer discounts if you are willing to book more than a month or two ahead of time. You can save up to 50 percent, even on elite hotel chains.

Never make the assumption that all hotels allows pets in your room. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Ask what pet-friendly means at the establishment. There may be some restrictions.

Always see if your AAA membership can get you a discount on the hotel you intend to stay at. Your membership in this auto club has just such a discount available to you. You can save 5 percent or more motels and hotels in the US. This can add up on a long trip.

To keep your running regimen up while you are traveling, pack your GPS watch and plenty of running clothes. In this way, you can simply suit up and enjoy your workout as usual while on the road. You’ll get plenty of good exercise and a better understanding of the city around you.

Loyalty Programs

Frequent travelers can benefit from loyalty programs offered by many hotels. Loyalty programs provide frequent guests benefits for booking with them on a regular basis. There are many rewards given when you accumulate loyalty points such as free stays, free upgrades and later than usual check out times.

Remember that hotel chains often provide loyalty programs offering excellent discounts. These are similar to frequent flyer programs. They allow you to accrue points during your hotel stay. You can accumulate points that you can redeem for free hotel stays, discounts at restaurants, and all types of entertainment.

What you will be charged for a room, depends on when it’s booked. The prices are based partly on availability. When possible, you can often get a good price if you book a room at the very last minute. This will get you the best hotel rates. This is because the hotel will want to book rooms that are currently empty.

To get optimal value from a hotel stay, especially if you find yourself traveling a lot for your business, sign up for membership programs such as those offered by Marriott or Choice Hotels. When you stay at a hotel, you get points you can use later on.

When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. Bedbugs usually won’t stay here. Stow you suitcases and other items here and then take a good look at the rest of your room. If you have pets or children with you, ask them to wait in the bathroom too.

Always ask about the hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. There are sometimes rooms designated for people who smoke. If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be shy when asking for this type of room. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a high fee for smoking in a room that is designated as non-smoking.

Know your hotel’s policy on pets prior to booking with them. If you are allergic to animals, you should probably avoid staying in hotels that allow people to bring their pets. These hotels might also suffer from odors sinking into the floor and bed linens. While some hotels charge fees for pets, they don’t always charge a lot. The fee may cover the extra cleaning or it may not, it all depends on the hotel in question.

Keep in mind that hotel check-ins are usually very strict; therefore, you probably won’t be able to check-in early. Make your plans accordingly if you do not want to spend hours waiting in the lobby. The hotels need a chance to clean up your room prior to check in. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.

Stop yourself from staying in a bad hotel room. Make sure you research the hotel and make your plans accordingly. The more information you know about booking a room, the more likely you will be to make a better decision. Every single part of your vacation should be fun, including the hotel. Keep these tips in mind the next time you are working on your vacation.