The hotel that you choose can turn your stay into a nightmare or a delight. Hotels are expensive, so this is not a decision to be taken lightly. Follow these tips to get the best value in hotel accommodations.

Check online reviews before booking a room. These offer feedback from those who have recently stayed at the hotel you are considering booking. You can make a wise choice when you know what others think about a hotel.

To get the very best prices for the hotels that you’d like to visit, use travel sites online like Orbitz and Expedia. Always remember to give your loyalty program information to the clerk when you book your room or search for prices. Also, as an added bonus, you may get discounts from other companies such as AAA or AARP.

Put your electronics into the room’s safe. 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.

Check in on the organizations you belong to. There are times when an organization will give you great deals on the price of hotels. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! These discounts can save you quite a bit of cash, particularly if your stay involves several nights. That can give you close to a completely free night when it adds up.

Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they’ll tell you there aren’t any online discounts. For this reason, making a proactive search is advisable. Websites like Travelocity and Expedia can be a great way to do research on hotels.

When you get to your hotel room, look over the room before unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Check the shower, toilet and sink to ensure they work properly. Make sure you have the linens, bath supplies and towels that you will need. If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.

If you are traveling with a pet, it is best to find a pet friendly hotel ahead of time. Be sure to call in advance and find out about their policies, regardless of website info. Be sure you know what pet-friendly means because there could be specific restrictions on sizes or certain breeds of dogs.

Pack your GPS and running clothes while on vacation. In this way, you can simply suit up and enjoy your workout as usual while on the road. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.

If you stay at the same chain of hotels often, look into their membership programs for frequent guests. Just like with a frequent flyer mile program, you can get points for staying a hotel. In time you may even get to stay there for free!

Going green is a growing trend so it is no surprise that hotels are going green as well. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Some of the newer hotels are built in a way that they get certified green. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Talk to your travel agent if you prefer to stay at this type of hotel.

To get the most out of your hotel stays, particularly if you travel a great deal for business, join a membership program such as that offered by Choice Hotels or Marriott. When you do, you get points every time you stay at a hotel.

Try not to make any long-distance calls from your hotel room. Use the Internet, instead. A lot of hotels have free Wi-Fi that you can use to connect with people. But the Internet is infinitely useful while traveling so it is usually worth it.

Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. You don’t want to get there, only to disappoint your children when you find out the pool is closed.

When checking your hotel accommodations for bed bugs, begin in the bathroom. This is the place least likely to have bedbugs. Therefore, you can put your luggage here while you look over the remainder of the room. Kids and pets can stay there as well.

Determine what the policy on smoking is if you smoke. Certain hotels provide rooms that are specifically for people who smoke. If that happens to be the case, then you need to ask for that type of room. If you smoke in a room designated as non-smoking, a big penalty can come along with it.

Be aware that it is normally not possible to check into a hotel early. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. Check with the front desk if you arrive early, but do not be angry if they can’t get you in early.

If your requirements include a roll-away bed or a crib, you should call ahead to reserve them. They may not have any available. Additionally, you may need to pay an extra fee. Let the hotel know what you need to avoid anything that you will turn in a bad surprise.

Just doing a little bit of homework before booking a hotel room can help you to save on hotel expenses and pick a great place. You have to know when booking is right and where to go. Remember these tips and you will find a room that is right for you.