Top 7 Hotel Secrets that SAVE You Money
Every business has its secrets... but after spending over 25 years scouting hotels all over the world for our clients, we have learned quite a few secrets when it comes to hotels - the good, the bad, and the ugly.
We know what should be a red flag and what you should be looking for when you're getting ready to book your rooms. We know how much weight to give the rating systems and customer reviews. Being in the business of serving clients with exceptional value and service, we know which level to expect, which goodies/amenities should be included, and which elements and factors lend to a great hotel stay.
Now, with spring break and summer vacation just around the corner, we're sharing these years of experience with you. Here are PKT Tours USA's top seven secrets for booking and travelling like an insider, while saving some cash at the same time.
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1. Early Arrival Could Get You An Upgrade
It's true - the early bird gets the worm. Get to
your hotel earlier than required and your chances of getting a sweeter suite
improve. This is when the rooms are being inventoried and prepped for the
day. If you get a nice desk agent (and you have some charm) you
could suite talk your way to a room that's nicer than the one you
booked. This is of course assuming that there are still open rooms in the
hotel. But simply ask, and you might receive.
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2. Call for a Rate Before You Book Online
Regardless of where you find a hotel rate
online, the best practice is to always directly call the hotel for the best
rate. Get a manager on the phone and tell them you've found a rate
online, but want to know if they could offer a lower rate. It's common for
hotels to pay commission to online booking sites, at times up to 25%. If
given the chance, they might offer you a lower rate to book directly with them.
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3. You Can Negotiate for Freebies
Wi-Fi and water bottles may often come with an
additional charge, but you may be able to get your hands on these amenities for
free by just asking for them in advance of your stay. Just make sure to
review your bill while you're checking out to make sure they gave you what they
said they would.
4. More Stars Doesn't Mean Better Service
Everyone can, and should, expect fantastic
service, no matter what the star rating of your hotel is. Understanding
ratings is important because they indicate differences in amenities, like the
size of your room or the number of power outlets. The star rating does
not indicate the quality of the people or service at a particular hotel.
Guest ratings and official star ratings are two very different things... and if
a hotel has a 4-star rating, but the guests give it one star - nobody is going there.
5. Stay Off The Beaten Path
The closer you are to a city's landmarks,
downtown, and airports, the more you will pay. Save money by choosing a
similar hotel that is a little bit outside of the city's center and not on the
beaten path. An added benefit to this strategy is that you'll probably
discover a part of the city that you otherwise wouldn't have experienced.
Besides, travelling is about stepping outside of your comfort zone!
Go out and enjoy your adventure.
6. Big Names Cost Big Money
Instead of the normal Hilton or Sheraton, try an
independent hotel. Most of the hotels that are top-rated are not branded
businesses, but rather locally owned. Choosing a boutique hotel also
gives you a better opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique characteristics
of the destination.
7. You might be able to get the fees waived
Resort fees and other annoying add-on charges are the
bane of travelers everywhere. Not only can the fees bump up the cost of the
room considerably, but they’re often hidden, so you don’t realize your
affordable room rate isn’t so affordable until you get to check-in. Plus, the
“extras” you’re getting are sometimes laughably basic — a few bottles of water
and access to a tiny gym don’t exactly make a hotel a resort.
Fortunately, you might be able to get out of
paying these fees with a little polite persuasion. If you don’t use the
amenities at all or some services are out of order or didn’t function well
(such as glacial Wi-Fi), the hotel might scratch the charges from your bill.
Being a member of the hotel’s loyalty program can help if you’re trying to
negotiate charges. You won’t always get the fees waived, but it doesn’t hurt to
ask.