Your vacation’s success depends on the hotel you choose. Expensive hotels drain the wallet, leaving you no funds to do things that are fun. Read on, and learn what you can do to make your trip a success.

Consider ordering room service if you want a special meal without needing to go out. 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.

It’s important to make sure that your valuables are safe during a hotel stay, so make use of the room’s safe. You should put any expensive items in the hotel safe.

The organizations that you are a member of might be of help. Some of them may provide discounts on hotel stays. A lot of people don’t use these discounts, and you may save 10% or even more. This is a good discount that only gets better the longer you stay in a hotel. This can mean a lot of savings over a full week stay.

There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Choose an establishment that offers the amenities you desire.

There are tons of online search tools that help customers find satisfactory rates they can’t find elsewhere. These websites can help you quickly find the best value. They display the average rates of hotels so that you can see if the deal you are getting is good. Finally, you can also use these to help you learn what there is to do when you get to your destination.

Make certain you know when your check-in time is. If you are early, your room may not be ready. If you think you will arrive before check in time, call the hotel and ask if you can come.

If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking all hotels will accept pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Get the term “pet-friendly” defined, as well. The hotel may not allow large dogs or certain types of pets.

If you belong to the AAA, see what kinds of discounts the hotel offers. You may not know that your membership to the auto club includes discounts on hotels. It can save you 5% or more on hotels all around the nation. This can add up on a long trip.

If you want to get your daily runs in while on vacation, make sure to bring your running gear with you. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.

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.

The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Availability sets pricing. If possible, try to book your room 24 hours or less in advance. This gives you the best prices in reserving hotel rooms. Hotels are often happy to slash prices on impending vacancies since they will get nothing if they can’t book the room.

If you want your family to have a happy stay, call the hotel ahead and ensure that their swimming pools are available and in good working order. Nothing is more frustrating than to have kids nagging you about swimming, only to find that the pool is closed.

Always ask about the hotel’s smoking policy if you smoke. Many have designated nonsmoking rooms. Ask to see if any of these are available. Smoking in a non-smoking room can be a big no-no and you may even be charged an extra cleaning fee.

It is not always possible to check-in early. You need to plan appropriately to avoid waiting in the lobby all day. The rooms can’t be readied and cleaned until the prior guests are gone, so this means that check-in time is usually around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you do happen to arrive early, check with the desk to see if you can check in, but don’t expect that request to be honored.

When making your reservation, make sure to specify if you need a rollaway or a crib. Some hotels may not have one, so you want to know this upfront. Some hotels will include an additional fee if you want to rent these items during your stay. Discuss your needs at the time of booking.

If you are concerned about germs, don’t use the hotel bedspread. The bedspread isn’t washed often, while the sheets are. This means you might find that the bedspread is carrying germs and bacteria. Remove the blanket and use one you brought from home to stay safe.

As you know, overspending on a hotel does not ensure a pleasant stay. Follow the advice presented here to get a comfortable hotel room. Use these tips whenever you plan to stay in a hotel.