Booking a hotel can be overwhelming when you don’t have the information you need. that is why you need to plan ahead if you can. Doing this can save you a lot of stress and money. So here are some tips to help you get started when looking for the perfect hotel.

To save money on a minibar or vending machine at a hotel, pack a cooler before you start out on your trip, and throw in some six-packs of soda or beer and a bottle of wine. When you get to the hotel, if you have a small fridge, you are all ready. If there isn’t a fridge, use the ice machine and your cooler to keep things chilled.

To get the best possible rate for a hotel room, book well in advance of your trip. Rates are markedly higher if you just get the room at the desk. In addition to saving you a lot of money, advance booking will also ensure you aren’t left without a room.

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.

Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. If you do a lot of traveling, the AAA membership can pay for itself, and you can also get deals on rental cars. People that have young kids will get a car seat for free in a lot of different places.

Be aware of your surroundings in a hotel to stay safe. Don’t open the door without knowing who is behind it. Use the peephole. Hotel residents are especially vulnerable to theft. Check in with the front desk if there are any deliveries to your door and keep the door locked even when inside.

Be aware of the check in and check out times for the hotel at which you are staying. If you arrive too early, your room may not be ready, and you may have to wait a few hours to access it. If you fail to check out by the appointed time, you may be charged for an extra day. Knowing the hotel policies with regard to check in and check out times can save you some aggravation.

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. Nothing is quite as frustrating as arriving at a hotel with children clamoring to jump in the pool only to find that it is closed.

Look into the smoking policies in the hotel you are considering. If you are a non-smoker, you might want to stay at a non-smoking hotel. However, even with non-smoking rooms, there’s no telling if the guy next door is smoking. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes, consider staying at a hotel that’s non-smoking.

To avoid spending $2 or $3 each time you want a soda at a hotel, throw a six- or twelve-pack into the car when you head out on the road. For almost as much money as that one soda, you can have a dozen of them chilling on ice in the room, or in the mini-fridge.

Booking a hotel doesn’t have to be stressful if you just use the hints from above. They can help you find a great hotel, save money and even get extra perks thrown in the deal. That a great way to get your hotel stay off to a great start so start doing your research as soon as possible.