Have you had the experience of booking a hotel and finding it to be deplorable when you arrive? If you nodded yes, then you know first-hand how a bad hotel can trash your whole trip. However, you shouldn’t want to spend all of your vacation money on a hotel room. Read on to learn how to locate a good hotel at a good price.

Check online hotel reviews prior to booking your stay. Websites like TripAdvisor will give you some first-hand accounts of hotel experience from actual customers. Find out what actual customers say about the hotel and it can help you avoid a costly mistake.

When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.

Be sure to put all valuables, such as jewelry and electronics, in the hotel safe. Put all of your valuables and small electronics into the safe, such as your jewelry and iPad. They’ll be safe in there and you can leave the hotel room without worry.

When picking a hotel, there is a lot to think about. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. Amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, free local calls or breakfast, and other amenities may be things that you prefer. Find a hotel room that includes all of the features that you demand. There’s sure to be one out there.

Take advantage of search tools online. These sites allow you to find great deals quickly. In addition, these websites will provide a comparison of different hotel prices, which will allow you to find the best possible deals. You can also find out about local amenities and things offered by the hotels.

Plan your trip in advance for the best rates. Some hotels have great discounts when you book a couple of months in advance. You might only pay half price for premium hotels.

Don’t think that all hotels will be pet friendly. Call the hotel to verify, even if it says so on the website. Verify exactly what is meant by “pet-friendly” since certain breeds and pets over a certain size may not be allowed.

If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You could also get a surprise that you have an auto club membership that gives you hotel discounts. You can save upwards of 5% on your hotel stays. The more nights you stay, the more you will save.

If you go out to travel quite a bit, it’s good to get signed up for a hotel’s loyalty program. 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 are always staying at the same chain, find out about the programs they offer to frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.

If you are an environmentally conscious traveler, you should look into “green” hotels. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. Some of the newer hotels were built with green standards in mind. Other older hotels will just provide green options for you. Talk to your travel agent about what you want to do and let them seek out a few appropriate hotels.

Make sure you know hotel transfer costs prior to booking a hotel room in order to avoid a large unexpected cost. This is especially important if you run across an unbelievable deal. Ask about this beforehand to save more.

If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.

When you travel, go through AAA to find hotel accommodations easier.` The AAA membership fee is well worth the discounts offered by many chains, and renting a car will also be easier. At some locations they even offer free car seats.

Start looking in the bathroom when checking for bed bugs in a hotel. This is probably not where you will find bedbugs. This is why you should keep your luggage in there while you go on a search for bedbugs. It is also a safe spot for your pets and kids.

Be aware of the pet policy of the hotel. If you’re terrified pets or are allergic to them, it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. The smells tend to stick around. Most hotels charge a pet fee; however, sometimes this is negligible. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.

Know that you may not be able to check-in early at some hotels. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. Hotels usually need to get the room cleaned and ready before you check in. If you arrive earlier than your check-in time, you can always ask the front desk and see if they can let you in.

Don’t take anything from the room when you depart. Housekeeping will notice items are missing and you could get a bill. However, you can ask the hotel if you can buy the linen from them directly for a much better price.

Having read this article completely, you now know how to find the perfect hotel without overpaying. It is easy to find deals once you are aware of where to look. Always remember the tips that have been presented here.