Having the right hotel room can make or break your stay. Since it is so expensive, choosing the right hotel is a must. The tips below will help you book a great hotel.

To help you make a good choice, you should check out hotel review websites like TripAdvisor online. In this way, you can get real information from real people regarding their experiences at a variety of hotels. Patron reviews can give you valuable information that will help you make a good choice.

Online travel websites can offer you a great deal on hotels with lots of choices, all on the same website. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.

Use your hotel room’s safe to keep your valuables secure. Anything of value can be securely locked in the safe, then you won’t have to worry about your valuables while out enjoying yourself for the day.

Don’t book a hotel room without looking for online deals. Usually, when you try to book a room over the phone, the clerk will not let you know that there is a better deal online. It is your responsibility to find any available discounts. Review the different websites, such as Jetsetter or SniqueAway.

Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people end up waiting for their room to be available because they forget to check this critical detail. If you anticipate arriving early, check with the hotel to find out if your room will be ready.

Not every hotel allows pets. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. A hotel may be pet-friendly, but still has restrictions against certain breeds or animals. Find out ahead of time if your pet is acceptable.

If you need to have a pet stay with you in your hotel room, do a few things ahead of time. Ascertain that your hotel is really pet friendly. Make sure you bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose of any pet waste. Also, request a room away from other guests so that your pet does not bother them.

If you would like to treat your partner to a massage, be sure to make the appointment far in advance. Usually, the best massage therapists are booked well in advance at top resorts. If you plan early, you will have the best experience possible.

Check your AAA membership for a hotel discount. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. You can save 5%, 10% or more at quality hotels throughout the country. This is a savings that can really add up over several nights.

The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms prices are based on their availability. If you can, make your room reservations only a day in advance. This is the best way to get the best prices. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.

Sign up as an AAA member to make hotel arrangements easier when you are traveling. AAA members not only get discounts at many hotel chains, it will also make it much easier to rent a car. Some places provide free car seats too.

In hotel rooms, avoid calling long distance if possible. Use the Internet, instead. You will probably find that your hotel has Wi-Fi and Skype. You can stay connected with people back home by using this instead of making expensive long distance calls from your hotel phone.

If you wish to have happy kids while you’re on the road, be sure you call a hotel to see if they have a working pool at the time. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.

Checking in early may not be available. Plan your time accordingly unless you want to wait in the lobby for hours. The hotel must clean each room prior to the next visitor taking it. Should you arrive early, ask at the desk if it is possible to check in, but do not be surprised if they say no.

It you’re able to, try not to check out until it’s time for you to depart. Your hotel may charge you a fee to do so. If you check out too early, the hotel will lose money because they remove the room off the reservation list. To earn back this money they will lose, they charge you an additional departure fee.

For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Hotel sheets are laundered daily; however, bedspreads are not. For this reason, there’s no telling what might be on that bedspread. Simply remove it from your bed.

If you find your reserved room is not available, you do have rights. This is when a hotel is overbooked and they have no accommodations for you. That means the hotel will send you to another establishment, or “walk” you. Getting there early can usually prevent this, but if you do get “walked,” make sure your accommodations are not being downgraded in any way.

Just a small amount of preparation makes your trip much easier. More preparation, even easier. It is important to know when to make your reservations and what qualities to seek. Keep the tips above fresh in your mind when you’re booking your next vacation stay.