Sometimes when choosing a hotel, it can be tempting to select one based only on price. Or, you might just be unfamiliar with the choices in a particular area. Instead of having such a narrow focus or not knowing enough information, you’re about to learn some helpful tips that will aid you in your decision.

When planning a vacation, be sure to make all of your hotel reservations well in advance. In this way, you can lock in lower rates. If you have some flexibility regarding when you take your vacation, be sure to find out about off season rates. Very often, the rate you pay in non-peak times of year is significantly lower.

You can use hotel search tools on the Internet. Use these websites to your advantage! 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.

Read the reviews before choosing hotels that look less than top notch. Sure there are lots of hotels that don’t look like the Four Seasons, and there are many that are plenty clean to stay in. There are others though that can be very dirty inside. Reading reviews can help you steer clear of the poorer lot of hotels out there.

Don’t assume your hotel is pet-friendly. Even if a web listing says a hotel is pet friendly, call the hotel to verify. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.

If you wish to include amenities such as massage while staying at a hotel, be sure to make your reservations in advance. The best practitioners go fast, so make your reservation early and book by name where possible.

If you are planning to stay in a hotel for an entire week or longer, ask the hotel about long term price discounts. Hotels will often have weekly and monthly rates which are unpublished. These can offer significant price breaks for your hotel stay. Be sure to mention it upfront.

If you plan on using any glasses from the hotel minibar, make sure that you wash them first. Even if they appear to be clean, they may have been wiped with a chemical cleaner. Many housekeeping staff use the same products that they use to clean windows and mirrors on those glasses.

If you don’t have your heart set on a certain hotel, try using a website like Hotels.com. These types of sites let you put in bids and then return a list of hotels in your price range. The only drawback is that they may not reveal which hotel you have booked until after you have committed to staying there.

Pay attention to your security when you stay at a hotel. Make note of the fire exits and locations of fire extinguishers. Keep your door locked, and keep your key or key card in a safe place. Stash any valuables in the hotel safe. Consider bringing a flashlight along and keeping it by your bed in case you need it during the night.

If your looking for a good vacation hotel, ask around among your friends. Be sure to do this especially if you’ve got friends that love to travel. They’ll often have excellent tips to help you find the best hotels with the best deals around. Plus, they’ll love sharing what they know!

Becoming more familiar with what it takes to choose a good hotel will enable you to never have a disappointing night’s stay again. If situations do arise, you will know how to handle them. So as you prepare to plan out your next trip, use the tips that you’ve just read to make the right decision regarding the hotel you choose.