A hotel stay can be an enjoyable experience or it can quickly turn into a nightmare. So how can you ensure that you hotel stay is enjoyable? Well, here are some things you should know before you book your next room. Using these tips will help you get a great room and a great deal on the rates.

To keep your packing to a minimum on a long trip to one destination, choose a hotel that offers a coin laundry facility. This way, you don’t have to pack as much, and when you are about halfway through your trip, you can wash and dry everything. When it’s almost time to go, repeat the process so you don’t get home with a bunch of dirty clothes.

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.

Use your AAA discount at hotels. AAA members actually receive hotel discounts at specific hotel chains! You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. This can add up on a long trip.

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.

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 you are looking for deals on a hotel room, you may have to go straight to the source yourself. Many hotels do not post ads all over the Internet offering discounts. You usually have to find them yourself. Simply call potential hotels and ask them if they have any promotions or discounts.

Figure out what comes with your hotel. Find out if the hotel offers better noise control and views on one side. Ask them about nearby public transportation, restaurants, and if they are near any entertainment or business areas. You should also find out the type of neighborhood they’re in and what their environmental policies are.

Use social media to your advantage if you want to get fresh deals on hotel stays. Many hotels offer deals and freebies to people that “Like” their page. In addition, giving them praise on social media is a great way to snag an upgrade and/or a special rate that has not been advertised.

Call ahead to your hotels to make certain the swimming pools are ready for your kids. There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.

Follow a hotel chain you are thinking about reserving with on social media. Deals and promotions are often promoted first or sometimes only on Facebook and Twitter. Introduce yourself to hotel employees through social media to see if you can get any tips from them on booking a great deal.

As you know, a bad hotel can turn any trip into a nightmare, a very expensive nightmare. This is why the tips from above are so valuable. So remember these tips and refer to them when booking your next hotel stay. Using these tips can help find a room that is perfect for you at a price that is perfect for your budget.