Get The Most Of Your Travel Experience With These Hotel Hacks
Travel is mainly done because of work and leisure, and some people do it a lot (almost daily). A lot of these travels are done luxuriously while there are some, done on a tight budget. Either way, you don’t need bulk to make the most of the holiday or vacation or make it the best. To help make the experience much better, we have compiled a few hacks that will help to compliment your stay at your chosen hotel. It will save you a lot of cash, time, and enhance the space you stay in without going overboard. These hacks include measures to reduce noise, extra lighting, and keep your clothes fresh.
Stop Leaking Toiletries
We have all experienced the issues of having our toiletries leaking out in our travel bags and messing everything up. To reduce this, take a piece of plastic and screw it under the cork or cap. This tip will help to stop fluids from leaking out. From cologne to suncream and medicine, this hack will stop liquids from bursting onto your clothes and other delicate possessions, saving your from an expensive emergency laundry booking at your hotel.
Stop Leaking Toiletries
The Key Card
This may be one of the most annoying things one can think of when it comes to a hotel. Just imagine having to put your keycard in the slot every time you want to access the electricity? Well, all that has been solved with the use of an old metro card or any other card of similar size. You leave it in the slot, and you have non-stop current to work. This also lets you go in and out of your hotel room without needing to disrupt your power source.
The Key Card
Rid the Germs
One of the dirtiest things you can find in a hotel is the TV remote, and this will be agreed upon by most travelers. Be mindful everything in the hotel will be cleaned like the bathrooms, windows, and even the bedsheets. But this item remains the same. So, the next time you book in, get a plastic bag for the remote, at least all the hands that have touched before will be barred from yours.
Rid The Germs
Hold the Door
Traveling with a lot of luggage or having a lot of people going in and out of your room to settle in can be annoying to swing the door every second. A lot of the hotel doors are sometimes close to the closet, so you have the advantage of holding the door open until you finish packing in. However, you have to be careful no one else walks in when you are not around, as uninvited strangers could be skulking around.
Hold The Door
Stay Clear of the Minibar
You may feel like you can take a snack from the minibar once in a while, but what you may not know is that a lot of these hotels now have sensors that automatically pick up when you remove something and charge it to your bill immediately. Sometimes they will remove the charge when you prove you have put it back. Besides, a lot of hotel bookers can tell you the price of the items in the minibar is sky-high. Just be careful you don’t rack up your bill without knowing.
Stay Clear Of The Minibar
Blot Out the Light
It can be a little struggling to settle in and sleep, especially if the lighting in the area is not like you are used to. In most cases, the curtains cannot be arranged to blot all the light out, so you will still have light peeping in. To make it more comfortable for you, all you need is a pant hanger (with the clips) to clip the curtains together. There are few things more disturbing than a small crack of light.
Blot Out The Light
Be Mindful of Concierge Recommendations
When you check into a hotel, be careful of who you take advice from. After all, the hotel manager may have a chain of restaurants, bars, and chill spots around town, and the more profits he makes, the better for the employees, so they will direct you to them. Before going to any area, ensure you do a little research to know about the place. This is where Google comes in, as you can find proper and honest reviews for spots in abundance.
Be Mindful Of Concierge Recommendations
Stay for a While
According to one popular traveler, he noted if you are staying at a hotel for more than a week, it is best to seek discounts from the hotel. After all, it might be better to keep a single client than to check in a new one every day if you ask us. Hotels want their more appropriate clientele to stay with them for longer periods and to build a relationship. You never know what hidden perks await loyal residents!
Stay For A While
Get Some Moisture
It can be a little dry in some hotel rooms, and though some people don’t like so much humidity, it can get to you at some point. You can make the necessary adjustments by being flexible – get one of those suitcase racks and add a wet towel to it. Once done, put it close to the radiator so at least the room will feel a lot better. Do not worry, this is not a fire hazard, and your sinuses will appreciate a more appropriate ambiance.
Get Some Moisture
Keep Your Bags Off the Bed
When you check into a hotel, be mindful not to put your bags on the bed because whether you believe it or not, bed bugs are something to worry about. Even if you are in a five-star hotel, you will want to do some investigation like checking the sheets, chairs, and tables, so leave your bags in the bathroom while you make the checks. As a rule of thumb keep as many of your personal possessions well away from the bed, even if it makes packing and unpacking more difficult.
Keep Your Bags Off The Bed
Make a Call
It may be best to call your scheduled hotel in advance even if you don’t have a close connection with the manager or anyone in that position. Travel blogger Mick Richard noted that once it is your first time, you should call in advance to get yourself familiar with the hotel and its surroundings. Even with the various map apps and the amount of information that can be obtained off Google about a place, some important details are not listed online.
Make A Call
Secret Rooms in the Hotels
There are numerous rooms at almost every hotel that may be considered secret rooms, but not everyone knows about them. These rooms generally go at a lower cost. After all, they won’t tell you, so you may need to ask or do a little research. The best way to find these exclusive spots is to be polite and friendly to the concierge and the hotel staff in general. You will be amazed at how far a little kindness goes.
Secret Rooms In The Hotels
Don’t Over-do It with Room Service
There is nothing wrong with having a little room service attend to you once in a while, but don’t go overboard as the cost can surely build up quickly. If you don’t plan to get out of your room for a while, you may want to stack up on a few things. You can also get a few things like ramen and portable appliances if you don’t plan to eat out so you can do a little food preparation in your room.
Dont Over Do It With Room Service
Redeem Loyalty Points
Too many people that travel often will accumulate loads of loyalty points without even knowing or caring, which is a huge shame. A lot of cards do offer rewards programs where you can redeem the accumulated points for airline and hotel services. You can check with your cardholders to see the benefits of the cards, and once you can redeem, it will save you a lot, especially on getting some amazing features and amenities with your booking.
Redeem Loyalty Points
Be Flexible with the Shower Cap
A lot of people don’t use shower caps even though they are there in abundance. You can use the shower caps for other purposes around the hotel, like putting your shoes to protect your clothes in your bags. Also, they can be great to help protect your hands from using the remote directly if you believe it is too dirty. Make use of all the protection that a hotel provides you to navigate their grittier areas.
Be Flexible With The Shower Cap
Let’s Warm the Butter
It is hard to rub cold butter on toast bread, so the best bet is to warm the better so you can apply it easily. So, the next time you want to eat your meal a little earlier, you can put the butter packages atop the toaster so the heat can go through and melt it. You won’t have to eat plain toast anymore. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the butter packets, as they could burst if they get too hot and make a difficult to clean mess.
Lets Warm The Butter
Tipping the Staff
Well, this one may not seem like the best for those who are trying to save every dollar they can while in a hotel. However, tipping a $20 will go a far way in getting you much better service. Take, for instance, the front desk, you could get a nice upgrade when you slip a $20 along with your ID or reservation form. Though some may refuse, it’s best to know you tried and will continue to do so.
Tipping The Staff
Go for the Matchers
Countless hotels will give you a deal for the lowest price you can find when booking. They can give you free stuff to compliment your stay or even give you a great discount. So, the next time you are looking around for hotels, check for those with price guarantees. It only takes a few phone calls, as many hotel chains will be ready to help people with related queries and needs out quickly and efficiently.
Go For The Matchers
Notify the Hotel About Special Events
Do you have a special event you want to host while you are staying at the hotel? Then, it may be best to say something to the management or the staff as they will help to make your event more memorable. They will offer you stuff like discounts, and if you are nice and polite enough to the staff, they will help to make the event flow smoothly. Your next birthday trip could be a noteworthy one!
Notify The Hotel About Special Events
Make a Toothbrush Cup
A lot of hotels do not provide a cup for you to put your toothbrush in, so you have to find a way to keep them in a safe place. After all, putting them on the counter may not be hygienic, no matter how much you clean. So, getting one of those paper cups from downstairs and cutting a hole midway will allow you to stick them in. The best practice would be to get plastic caps for your toothbrushes.
Make A Toothbrush Cup
Notify of the Faults
When you experience an upsetting or irritating issue at the hotel, you will sometimes tend to leave it as it is without reporting it. Of course, everyone makes mistakes, but there are some obvious ones you need to mention so the hotel can take the necessary steps to improve. The only important thing is that you remain fair in your complaint and you may end up getting a nice little discount or get compensated for it.
Notify Of The Faults
Leave the Bedding Out
The bed bug situation has been discussed, so whatever puts you at risk of developing them should be avoided at all costs. After all, though hotels wash some of the sheets at times, others that are not soiled, they will never take them to the laundry. So, leaving those beddings far away from you will be the better option. Get rid of any blankets or pillows and other trimmings that you do not need to sleep with.
Leave The Bedding Out
Shop Around for Rooms
A lot of hotels tend to fill the worst rooms first so you should shop around to find a room that suits you best. Tipping the front desk will go a far way to help you secure a good room. Ask about other options if you don’t like the one you were shown, because let’s face it, who wants a room where the window only points to the parking lot? Learn the tricks of the trade off online forums like Reddit.
Shop Around For Rooms
Take Advantage of Your Card
Your card can get you a great advantage, even if you are in a lower-class hotel than the others. Of course, it might be a little pricier, but you can get some cool upgrades if you are wise, and it will be worth the trouble. It might also be a good idea to join the relevant hotel’s loyalty program or a local travel club in general. There are many priceless perks that a person that you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.
Take Advantage Of Your Card
De-Fog the Mirror
If you find out that your mirror is foggy while you are trying to use it in the morning, you may need to remove the excess fog. There are multiple ways to clean, but one of the most effective is to wipe a bar of soap on it then use a dry cloth to buff. When you do it this way, you stand the chance of not getting another foggy mirror ever. There are so many ways to improve your bathroom experience.
DeFog The Mirror
Leave the Undisturbed Sign on the Door
For sure, you may have the perception that the hotel you are staying in could be better, or you may have had a dispute with some staff members. As such, it might be better to leave the “do not disturb” sign on the door, and at least you won’t have to worry about your things going missing. Also. It may be a great idea to leave it on the door as well when you are not around.
Leave The Undisturbed Sign On The Door
Shop Around After Booking
Based on details from various travelers, one of the best tips is to book a hotel that has a refundable service. Once done, you can continue shopping around for other hotels with better service and cost so you can easily ask for a refund and get your money back. At least, this way, you will have room to stay in should you not find one. You can then switch to a non-refundable option if you don’t find another.
Shop Around After Booking
Boil Your Eggs
The hotel room kettle serves a lot of purposes other than boiling water. A lot of people sometimes boil their underwear in the kettle, which is nasty and unsanitary, but did you know you can boil your eggs in the kettle? After all, it will save you around $20 while giving you the opportunity to have a healthy breakfast like most others. Some people boil pasta in the kettles. Who knew a kettle could become a pot?
Boil Your Eggs
Know the Alternative Exits
Almost all hotels have an emergency exit with a visible sign, but people tend to ignore it for the most part until something is going wrong. Sure enough, accidents do happen, and you may be in the middle of the night and notice a fire is on. You will need to know where all these alternative exits are so you can be prepared should anything happen. Make sure to study the maps in hotels carefully, too.
Know The Alternative Exits
Cook for Yourself
No matter how you think you can adjust to various settings, you will eventually get tired of the hotel food, especially if you are there for a while. Also, you will become weary of the surrounding restaurants, so preparing your meal will go a far way. You can take a trip to the convenience store nearby and pick up a few things you can prepare in your room. After all, you can cook pasta in the kettle or make a nice sandwich
Cook For Yourself
Use Your Status to Your Advantage
As noted earlier, you may use your reward points to get some additional service, but did you know you can also get some things to your advantage if you are popular at the hotel? If you happen to check in late, the hotel may give away your room, but with credit and status, your room may be spared. Hotels will give preferential treatment to their loyal customers, over new faces, so make sure to build a relationship with your favorite spots.
Use Your Status To Your Advantage
Sign-up for the Hotel Credit Card
The credit cards issued by the hotel could be a good bet for you when you check-in and use them. Matt Kepners knows the advantage of using the cards and highlights the multiple benefits that come with them. Well, now you know about it, you could see yourself getting a lot of free stuff for your stay. Just ask about it. You never know how much a simple question could reap! People are far more generous than you might have been led to believe.
Signup For The Hotel Credit Card
Get a Portable Carry-on Bag
When you are focused on getting a good and memorable experience, you will tend to be distracted and not realize you have left your key or phone by the bar. It happens to the best of us, so you may want to be more practical when it comes to carrying them around with you. You can get a cool carry-on bag to put stuff like your phone, keys, wallet, and other stuff. Don’t be afraid to experiment with fanny packs either!
Get A Portable Carry On Bag
Get Some Apps
There are almost apps for everything these days, especially at the rate technology is growing. So, instead of having to search for different websites that have discounts and other benefits, you can have the apps send them directly to your phone. Get alerts via texts or emails from sites such as Hotel.com or Kayak – they don’t spam either. Special offers, discounts, and awesome packages can be easily acquired in multiple areas and with leading hotels.
Get Some Apps
Breakfast Juice Tips
Some hotels think they are wise when it comes to breakfast juices as they generally put some small cups beside the juice machine. It can be annoying to get up and refill every minute so you can choose a better option – the large coffee cup. They hold a lot, and some hotels provide covers for them so that will also be to your advantage. Just try to ignore the judgmental looks and enjoy your extra helping of juice!
Breakfast Juice Tips
A Shared Bed
When you have to be in one room with a lot of people, it can get stressful and annoying. Instead, you can ask for an extra bed cot, so there will be some more breathing space between everyone. Also, you will have less squabbling when more space is given to occupants. You need not end a relationship over an inadequately accommodating room, so make sure to ask the staff for help in this space-related regard.
A Shared Bed
Leave the Iron at the Front Desk
A lot of hotels give irons when you go to the front desk so you can iron your clothes when you need to. However, one of the best tricks is to hang your clothes in the bathroom while you shower so the steam can naturally remove the wrinkles. After all, you don’t have to take the iron anymore as there is a more natural way. Why waste time ironing when you could be adventuring and shopping?
Leave The Iron At The Front Desk
Charge Your Phone on the Television
When you are packing for your vacation, you may end up leaving your adapter so your phones will stand trouble to charge. But, no need to worry as you can now charge your phone on the TV. A lot of them have universal USB ports, so you can easily charge your phone while the TV is on. Your phone is your lifeline when you are abroad, and you cannot afford to spend any amount of time without it.
Charge Your Phone On The Television
Travel with a Water Bottle
When you turn in for the night, and there is no water in your room, you can sure have a warm time getting out of bed and downstairs for water. To resolve this, you can easily travel with a water bottle so you can have water at your convenience. Also, if there is a gym at the hotel, you can refill with their water cooler instead of using the tap. Nothing beats nice cold water!
Travel With A Water Bottle
Check Out the AAA
There are various tips when it comes to traveling, and Chris Guillebeau, who owns a travel hack site, notes when he doesn’t have access to flyer miles, he has to resort to AAA. You may want to check it out too. AAA is a comprehensive travel service that will provide you with most of the essential travel necessities like hotel bookings, cruise deals, vacation packages, and car rental services. This is a leading service for all travelers!
Check Out The AAA
Utilize Your Status
Having a high status at a hotel chain will not only give you benefits there but can also give you an advantage at other hotels. You can check at other hotels and seek through their loyalty program to see how it can work in your favor. Make the most out of your dedication to a certain hotel, and make sure that they recognize your contribution to a spot. It also helps to share your wonderful experiences with a tagged social media post.
Utilize Your Status
Use Cheap Hotels to Build Status
Getting statuses at hotels does not have to be a complicated issue, and there is no stipulation that it has to be at an expensive cost. A lot of loyalty programs at hotels work on a “per night” phase and not on how much is spent. Take, for instance, you can get status for spending ten nights, you can consider making a few one or two nights reservations to build this up. Also, it can be done at cheaper hotels, so you save while earning benefits.
Use Cheap Hotels To Build Status
Don’t Pack on Flight Days
You might inevitably leave a few things at the hotel when you leave, and traveling abroad will mean you have no chance of getting it back. As such, it is important to pack the night before your flight, so at least everything will be organized, and you will have fewer things to go through in the morning. Make sure to leave enough time to do a careful scan of your room before you leave, as you never know what might have dropped into an obscure spot.
Dont Pack On Flight Days
Research Business Hotels in the Area
Business hotels have some great benefits and quality service compared to a lot of the other commercial hotels around. For those, especially in Europe, they have less business during the summer when most people are on vacation. So, you may realize they have some great discounts during that period. Remember to do your homework, and do not be afraid to call as many people as you can in the business. Most staff will be happy to help!
Research Business Hotels In The Area
Tell the General Manager About Your Experience
If you have a bad experience, then it is best to talk to the general manager about it as it can be to your advantage. One traveler noted her bad experience to the general manager in an email, and he gave her a huge discount on an upgraded suite plus improved service so she would give the hotel another chance. They are not lofty or removed individuals, and much of their job revolves around resolving their guests’ issues.
Tell The General Manager About Your Experience
Change Your Currency Before Booking
Most websites and hotels use the base country’s currency for most of their transactions, so if you have a few of their dollar, you can save a lot on the spending. A lot of the hotels do not charge fees when you use their currency, so doing some exchange ahead of your booking will work out great. It can also help to keep the foreign currency that you do not end up spending for your next return trip.
Change Your Currency Before Booking
Maximize on Benefits and Guarantees Through Booking Sites
You may only be used to a single hotel chain’s benefits and want to try another. As such, you can go through the different booking sites that have low-price guarantees and benefits. Take, for instance, Hotels.com, for every ten nights you book through their site, you get a free night. That benefit goes for the over 100,000 hotels on the site. This is a phenomenal way to extend your options and locate the most profitable stay imaginable.
Maximize On Benefits And Guarantees Through Booking Sites
Mention Your Special Events
We noted earlier that if you are celebrating a special occasion, you can let the hotel know. Informing the hotel that you will be celebrating a special occasion like a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary can see you getting a nice upgrade as a gift for the special moment. Couples are some of hotels’ best forms of word-of-mouth advertising, as well as the lion’s share of their customer base. The more high-profile couples are treated like royalty!
Mention Your Special Events
The “Review” Trick
Since 2008, Sabrina Lovino has been a frequent traveler, and she notes that if she didn’t have a deal in her pre-booking, she would try to do it at the hotel. But, you don’t want to be like a “member of the begging party,” so you want to be cautious. Saying a thing like, “are you on Tripadvisor? Because I would love to leave a review.” You could also hint that you are a prominent member of various social media or Reddit groups.
The Review Trick
Don’t Leave Your Power Adapter
Even though a lot of hotels implement technology in their operation, it may not be the case at the hotel you choose to book. As such, the next time you plan to travel, ensure you have a power adapter on your person because you will need it. When the power goes low, and you have nowhere to recharge, it can be frustrating. These are not expensive gadgets and can be easily bought from most grocery stores.
Dont Leave Your Power Adapter
Book Directly
Booking sites can be great and goes a far way with getting some cool benefits and discounts, and they do work out sometimes. However, you may find out when you book with the hotels directly, you get some advantages that these sites are not aware of. Also, some of the hotels don’t wish to give some info online, so you have to contact them to find out. Some third-party booking sites will also charge their own fees for the service.
Book Directly
Watch the Wi-Fi
For those who are computer-savvy, they will know the different issues associated with using public Wi-Fi. Those systems are not always safe and are prone to hackers who easily access them. So, the next, you decide to visit and use the Wi-Fi, ensure your firewall is always on, and getting an anti-virus is also a great idea. If you want to be totally safe, then bring your own Wi-Fi dongle. The extra data costs could mean the difference between being hacked or not.
Watch The WiFi
Get Flexible with the Furniture
We know a lot of parents can get flexible when it comes to hotel furniture, especially when those diapers need to change. They sometimes use the small bathroom counter or even the floor. But, with the hotel desk in the room, you can multi-task with it instead of using the bed so you won’t have to mess up the sheets. Instead of cluttering the furniture with worn clothes and empty soda cans, use it to your advantage.
Get Flexible With The Furniture
Get a Few Dishes
One traveler and her son, who has been going for over a year, find out one of the best bets when it comes to saving. When you are asking for food, ask for dishes in your room, so you save on food storage for later. Just make sure that the hotel staff would not mind cleaning your extra dishes for you and return them to you in one piece. There is so much more to get out of this hotel hack!
Get A Few Dishes
Toast Can Be Made in Your Room
Hotels tend to overcharge, especially for small meals, so making some of them in your room will save you a lot. Also, room service can be a little expensive, so when you can save $12 or so on every trip, it will be good enough. So, the next time you are out, get yourself bread and some jelly and get to toasting on your in-room iron. Sandwiches are the most versatile meal that a human can enjoy, so do not be shy to get some cold meats, cheese, and chips.
Toast Can Be Made In Your Room
Store Free Lunch
Most hotels let you pay for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (even if some sneak it into the booking cost). But, there is a way to beat the system for those that you pay manually as, during breakfast, you can grab an extra bread roll, donut, and some jelly. Just wrap it up in your shower cap (another use for those caps!) and take it to your room. Also, if your room has a mini-fridge, you are good to go!
Store Free Lunch
Clothes Washing Trick
We have mentioned earlier that you can use the sink to wash some of your clothes, but for those with a heavier load, you may want to go for the bathtub instead. After all, you can get detergent for $5 at the nearby supermarket, so washing won’t be such a big deal. After washing, you can hang the clothes on the towel radiator. Your hotel room has so many alternative services that will cut your costs at an incredible rate.
Clothes Washing Trick
Ross-Style Hotel Lodging
If you have watched the TV series Friends, then you will know who Ross Geller is. During one of the episodes, he went to a hotel in Vermont with Chandler, and he made use of every amenity in his room and asked for more. A lot of the amenities you see in the hotel rooms have a lot more where those came from, so taking those and requesting a few others will not be a problem. Just call the front desk and ask for what you want.
Ross Style Hotel Lodging
Take a Few Amenities on the Go
There are a lot of amenities in the hotel that you can stack in your bags and ask for a few more. When you go to where you can get a couple of stuff like those guava face soap or the shea butter hand cream, get a couple of them. If caught, say, “you were out of them, so you decided to go get them yourself without having to wait on the staff to bring it up.” Lots of frequent travelers share this tip.
Take A Few Amenities On The Go
Book Incognito
Most, if not all, websites use cookies and can trace your browsing activities. As such, when you are booking a flight or hotel reservation, it is best to do this from a private browsing winter, so the site can’t know if you have searched this topic before. The less that booking-related websites know about you, the more likely you are to be offered first-time deals and promotions. You could also make a few different accounts to get the most of these deals.
Book Incognito
Be Mindful of the Tap Water
Your body may not react well to foreign pathogens, so you will want to be mindful of drinking the tap water in your hotel room. First-world countries may have different settings for their hotels, so it may be best to get bottled water from the nearby store (though it may cost you a few extra dollars). But, when you think about it, it’s best to spend $20 on the water than a crippling $800 on healthcare.
Be Mindful Of The Tap Water
Check the Hotel Surroundings
Before you book a hotel space, ensure you do the necessary research to know what surrounds the hotel. We are sure you don’t want to know (only after checking in) that the hotel is next to a train track or a nightclub. We are sure you traveled for work or to relax so you wouldn’t want to be awake all night because it’s too noisy to sleep. Don’t make this costly mistake and get the lay of the land.
Check The Hotel Surroundings
Book Near the Airport Overnight
If you have an early flight, you may want to be near the airport for many reasons to include more sleeping time and fewer issues like traffic. However, the experience may not be comfortable as this hotel lacks a lot of features and amenities to complement your stay. Also, the sound of airplanes and more can be annoying. These kinds of hotels are mainly for people that will not be staying very long, and will not be fleshed out with many luxuries.
Book Near The Airport Overnight
Keep Your Doors Locked
By mistake, hotels can give another person a key to your room, and have been an experience for many. Besides, front desk staff may also sneak into your room, so you may always want to keep your doors locked and also walk with your valuables. Leave the “do not disturb” sign on as well as this will help to ward off any potential intruder. Being a little bit paranoid while traveling will save you a lot of potential misery.
Keep Your Doors Locked
Pre-Dinner Workout
When you have back-to-back activities, especially if it is a business trip, you will not have enough time to burn the calories you intake while eating. As such, exercising before you eat will help you burn a lot and take in just a little to keep you going for the rest of the time. We all tend to indulge while abroad, and with all the fine dining and buffets surrounding us, we need to eat in moderation to avoid putting on the pounds.
Pre Dinner Workout
Don’t Get “Walked” by the Hotel
A lot of hotels around the world tend to overbook their hotels, thinking some of their guests will not show up, but most times, they are completely wrong, and everyone does present themselves. When this happens, the hotel will walk their guests by finding other hotels. To avoid being “walked,” you can arrive early or book via the hotel’s direct website. Also, when you are a loyal customer, you stand a great chance of getting first preference.
Dont Get Walked By The Hotel
Pack in Layers
When you are packing for your travel, it is best to do so in layers, so you don’t have to pull everything down after getting to your room. When you have just a few days at the hotel, you don’t want to have a lot of repacking to do. So, before you go, pack a shirt, pants, dress, socks, and undies in layers based on the activities for each day. Just make sure that you are not overdressed and will be uncomfortably hot.
Pack In Layers
Go For Bidding
For one traveling couple, Pete Heck and his wife, they have noted that checking out bidding-sites will help you a lot with saving. Even though you may not always know the hotel, you can choose based on location and star. They have recommended travel sites like Priceline.com and Hotwire.com. The two sites are quite similar in their services and options, utilizing opaque pricing. That being said, Priceline will provide more discount options within the different categories.
Go For Bidding
Go in Town for a Beer
If you feel the need to drink some alcohol, it is highly recommended that you ditch the hotel bar and go to town. Not only will the price be better (hotel overprice their beers), but you will get to meet a few locals and build some great relationships. Make sure that you do not go into areas where you will be taken advantage of as a foreigner and be trapped by tourist prices and scams.
Go In Town For A Beer
Corner Rooms Work Well
When you are planning to book a room, you may want to consider hoping for a corner room as it has a lot more space and can be more comfortable. After all, you are getting a better space for the same deal as the other rooms in that category. So, the next time you go to the front desk, you may want to check the clerk for that benefit (do it when no one else is in close range or is hearing your conversation).
Corner Rooms Work Well
Groupon is Great for Last-Minute Booking
If you are the last-minute booker or you don’t have much choice, you can use Groupon to get a few deals that are just awesome. They offer a lot of last moment discounts that will save you a lot, but you have to be flexible. So, you might get a Las Vegas room a day before your flight. Be prepared to make radical changes to your travel routes and bookings in order to save a lot of money.
Groupon Is Great For Last Minute Booking
Go for a Late Check-in
A lot of people always believe that when they check-in during the early hours of the day, they may get a chance at an upgrade. However, this may not always be the case as, during the later hours, the hotel might be swamped or overwhelmed and any upgrade available, they will give it at free will. Hotel staff will often bump your accommodation up a few notches to quickly resolve a hefty backlog of customers.
Go For A Late Check In
New Hotels Might Be Cheaper
We sometimes have the impression that newer hotels might be really expensive, but it is not true in all cases. A lot of the newer hotels have great features and amenities but not much loyal clientele, so they are trying to buy a trust rating. So, when you are booking again, you may want to explore this “risk” opportunity. While you might not feel comfortable risking a stay at a hotel with very few reviews or history, it may well be worth the adventure.
New Hotels Might Be Cheaper
Negotiate Price Tags
When you find a certain hotel that you love and want to check-in, you can consider negotiation or bargain with the price. Doing it consistently and with some comparison, can make the hotels lighten up and consider your plea. Also, you can use a cancellation from another hotel as a backing for your request. Also, you can book refundable reservations, and when one hotel sees that, they will try to give you a better option.
Negotiate Price Tags
Bundle Booking
Do you have a lot of trips for the next few months at one or several hotels? Then, you may be happy to know that a lot of sites offer huge discounts for bundled-purchases. So, the next time you are going to book a hotel, try to get all your reservations at one time so you can benefit from this advantage. With all that extra cash, you can add a few more activities or shopping sprees to your itinerary.
Bundle Booking
Know Where Prices are Changing
A lot of hotel booking sites have price adjustments based on how other customers book, and as such, you may realize that a lot of the prices fluctuate, and you may end up getting a nice discount for a particular hotel you have been eyeing. It all comes down to keeping a constant check on the fluctuations on the various leading booking websites and being able to identify when the best price range window has opened.
Know Where Prices Are Changing
Order Your Favorite Take-outs
Like we have mentioned a lot in this post, hotel room service can be very expensive, so avoiding it as much as possible will save you a lot of cash. Even if there is a mini-fridge in your room or the hotel has a kitchen, you will want a hot meal from time to time. So, for many of the hotels around, you can order from your favorite restaurant in town and have them deliver the meal to you.
Order Your Favorite Take Outs
Apps Have Deals Too
Though websites have a lot of discounts, you want to utilize the features of mobile apps as well. Most times, they have a lot of benefits and discounts that will do you well for loyal members, they give access to secret low prices especially when booking at peak seasons (weekends, holidays, summer, etc.). Extend your discount search, and you will not regret it. Keep in mind that many apps will have their own charges attached to their services and deals, so make sure to reference prices across various sources.
Apps Have Deals Too
Go For Non-Peak Seasons
Going for the opposite when booking will go great for you as there are a lot fewer low prices, especially at business hotels. You will be surprised to know that weekends at a lot of these hotels are way cheaper than during the week so booking on the “opposite” will be a great advantage. You might miss out on the best weather that a country has to offer, but when you can save this much, it is totally worth it.
Go For Non Peak Seasons
Get an Extra Key
A lot of hotels these days require you to leave the key in the power slot to receive electricity. However, if you have to turn everything on and off when there or leaving, you will get frustrated over time. As such, requesting a second key will be a good option, so at least your room will remain cool for the day while you are out. You can also be assured that you will not be locked out of your room in the chance that you lose your first key.
Get An Extra Key
Keep it Fresh
Sometimes a lot of these hotel rooms can have a weird smell – not that the room isn’t cleaned – but there is just that one smell you can pin something to. However, you can change all that with a car freshener when you put it on the air conditioning vent. So, no more funky room when you leave and get back. You could also simply complain to the manager, and they will send some cleaning staff in.
Keep It Fresh
Music is Everything
We all know the troubles of not getting to pack everything we need for our travel, including a little speaker box to boogie-down when we have nothing to do. So, for those who feel inconvenienced that they can’t bring it, no rule says we can’t improvise. The next time you get to your room, start the music on your phone and get a mug to put over the speaker area; you sure will have your little entertainment system.
Music Is Everything
Walk with Your Valuables
No matter how safe a hotel thinks they might be, it is still possible for robbers to strike at any time. So, for those who use their laptop to work during their stay at the hotel, you may want to lock them up before going downstairs to chill off for a while. Lock them in your suitcase, put some clothes on top of them, and to help ward off thieves, add a few undies at the top of the clothes (spread them out to be more extravagant with your deterring trick).
Walk With Your Valuables
Make Sure the Price Includes Everything
This is where a lot of people lose out because they didn’t check to see what was included in the price package before they paid up. Some hotels charge for internet, gym services, and even parking, so when you put all those other fees with the “low price for reservation,” it still works out to be pretty expensive. Reading the fine print will go a far way in helping you know what’s included in the package.
Make Sure The Price Includes Everything
Family Dining Table
When you travel with the entire family, it is not the easiest, not the cheapest, especially when it comes to eating. So, you may want to ditch eating out and get flexible with an indoor setting. Get the iron board, throw a towel over it and use it as a dining table. Feeding an entire family at a hotel or local restaurant is incredibly expensive, and just think about all the fun things that you could pay for instead!
Family Dining Table
Wash the Room Glasses Yourself
It is believed hotels clean the room glassware for every guest, but when it comes to those hotels that don’t have a restaurant, what do they use to clean the glasses? We would recommend you give them a proper cleaning yourself before you use them for hygienic and health reasons. Remember that in larger hotels, the staff may be overwhelmed and may work long and grueling hours, meaning that they may not have your best and healthiest interests in mind.
Wash The Room Glasses Yourself
Alternative Air Conditioning
A lot of hotels don’t have air conditioning, whether you believe it or not, so you will want to find ways of staying cool while you are there. If you happen to be without, get a wet towel and hang it at the open window so the air that comes in will be much cooler and provide some humidity in the space. It may not match the comfort of a chilly aircon breeze, but you will not be uncomfortable.
Alternative Air Conditioning
Multi-Purpose Conditioner
The hair conditioner in the hotels is great on your air for leaving it smooth, silky, and tender-soft. But, they also serve a lot of other purposes that include being a good shaving cream, makeup remover, and even for cleansing your delicacies (undies, rags, etc.), leather items, and your shoes. Do not be shy to make the most out of these tiny containers, as they will keep your hygiene needs in check for the duration of your stay.
Multi Purpose Conditioner
A “Free” Charger
Smartphones are used for just about everything these days, and when you accidentally leave yours at home, you start to worry a lot. However, all hope may not be lost as it is possible someone may have left their charger, and a staff member found it. So, you can call the front desk and check if they have a charger that can work with your phone – You might be in luck. We are not saying that you should take advantage, however!
A Free Charger
Night-Stand Pockets
A lot of hotels do not have nightstands, so there may be nowhere to leave your phones, necklaces, and watches that you always wear. As such, getting flexible with the sheets will be a great option as you can build a little pocket to hold these items. Unfortunately, some home beds don’t make this possible as fitted sheets are used, so it may only be a hotel trick. Still, it does help to get creative when you need safe places to stash your valuables.
Night Stand Pockets
Make Your Fridge
When you are relaxing in your room and need to keep your drinks cool without a mini-fridge, you can get frustrated. As such, improvising can be a good thing when you know how to get flexible. Stop the drainage in your sink, add some ice, and put your drink there while you relax and watch a movie. You can turn your bathroom into a fully-functioning bar quite easily and have a sensational time in with friends and family!
Make Your Fridge
Flexible Bottle Opener
We all feel for a beer now and again, but then when you forget the bottle opener, that’s where the problem starts. But who said you need one when so much is around you? The next time you feel for a beer, look at the buzzer system on the door, and you will see the perfect opener. You could also find other ways of opening bottles in a safe but creative way. Become a hotel MacGyver!
Flexible Bottle Opener
The Hotel Might Have It
Ever get that feeling that you have forgotten something vitally important as you walk out of your home for the airport? Sometimes you will overpack and even forget some critical things you will need. But no need to worry as you can ask the hotel for a few items you may need. Other than getting free soap and shampoo complimentary, they may also have a few toys for kids as well as an additional hair straightener.
The Hotel Might Have It
Shut Out the Noise
Traveling to a hotel during one of those busy seasons will leave you dealing with a lot of noise. When the walls are too thin, you will hear just about every conversation on the other side. You may not be able to switch rooms at that point, so the only option will be to try and keep the noise out. Grab an extra towel and tuck it in the open spaces at the doors, this will help a lot.
Shut Out The Noise
Forget Hotel Laundromat
Traveling, especially with kids, may mean you have to wash a few pieces of clothes to cover for the additional time you are there. However, laundry services at hotels can be rather pricey and so too laundromats in the area. As such, stopping the drainage in your sink will allow you to do some washing in your room. This is a quick and easy clean. Drying? Hang it in your bathroom, especially while the steam is on.
Forget Hotel Laundromat