Whether you are headed for the beach or the mountains, you want your vacation to be special. Part of making your vacation special involves choosing the right hotel. This may seem a daunting task, but once you’ve done it a time or two, you can get it right every time. Keep reading to find out more.

You can find good deals on hotel rooms using online travel sites. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be eligible for other discounts through any memberships you have with organizations such as AAA and AARP.

Spend some time reading online reviews of hotels left by real customers before you make a reservation. These reviews are often your best source of information, since they are written by people who have actually stayed at the hotel. Be sure to pay attention to the most recent reviews, since the hotel may have already addressed older complaints.

Look into club-level rates. While these rooms are more expensive up front, they typically offer a great value. For example, included in the price could be breakfast or dessert, Wi-Fi service or other perks, like drinks and snacks. See what is offered and decide if the extra cost is worth it to you.

To avoid having to iron your shirts when you unpack everything in your hotel room, pack your polo and dress shirts more carefully. Use a hanging bag, and stack your dress shirts together. Then, starting with the shirt in back, bring the arms around, stacking the arms and wrapping them around keeps your shirts in place.

When you arrive at your hotel, thoroughly inspect your room before unpacking. It should be free of any mildew or mold. Check the toilet, the shower, and the sink to make sure they are clean and function properly. Do you have the blankets, pillows and towels you need? If you see any issues, be sure to tell the front desk. This way, they can fix the problems or switch rooms for you.

Do not always assume that staying on the club floor of a hotel is a great way to waste money. While you may have to pay for this upgrade, you will end up saving more money in the end. This is because things like drinks, appetizers and free breakfast are part of the deal, and these things are very expensive when purchased separately.

When traveling with small children, try to choose a hotel that caters to them. Most hotels offer cribs. Some have playgrounds and/or pools to help keep your kids entertained. Some even offer or children’s programs during the day or babysitters at night. Many hotels do not charge extra for children under a certain age to stay in the same room with their parents.

Find out what perks are offered on hotel club floors before deciding the extra premium isn’t worth the cost. At some hotels, staying on a club floor can mean benefits like free food and even full meals. Factor up the potential expenses of paying for those on their own, and you might see that an upgrade can actually save you money.

Before you make your hotel reservation, check to see if any fees will be added to your bill. Many hotels charge extra for parking, Wi-Fi and even room cleaning. These charges can make your stay more costly than you anticipated, so be sure to ask about them before you make your decision.

As you can see, choosing the right hotel just requires having the right information. Now that you have it, you are fully prepared to pick a great place to stay. Make your reservations so you can cross that task off your list. Then, sit back, relax, and vacation time will be here before you know it.