Most people have at some point had an unfortunate experience with a hotel. Maybe the room was dirty, or smelled like smoke, or had mysterious stains on the furniture. Having to spend a night in such a place can really put a damper on your vacation. To avoid this fate, use the following tips.

When checking for good prices at hotels, refer to online travel sites like Orbitz and Expedia. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. Don’t neglect to check for other discounts in which you may qualify, including AAA and AARP.

To keep your drinking water clean in a hotel room, rinse out your drinking glasses, even if there is a paper cover or a plastic wrapping around it. Dust and debris from the plastic can settle in the glass, leading to an unpleasant first sip. Taking the time to rinse it out will make your experience better.

When thinking about the type of hotel you would like to stay at, there are plenty of options to consider. Price is always important, of course, but you might also want to find a hotel near a certain attraction or business. For example, you might want a room that is in walking distance to gym, or a hotel that has free Wi-Fi. Seek to locate a hotel that provides lots of attractive amenities.

Use online hotel search tools. Travel websites are very helpful when seeking the best deals. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. They also can help with figuring out when the ideal time to go on vacation is and what you can do once you are there.

Do you stay at a particular hotel chain fairly often? Consider signing up for their loyalty club. As long as it is free to do so, you really have nothing to lose. Giving the hotel your contact information could mean getting special perks that you can use the next time you stay there.

Don’t assume a hotel is pet-friendly. Call the hotel in advance to ensure the hotel is pet friendly. Make sure they specify what pet-friendly means since there may be certain restrictions on pet sizes and breeds that are allowed on the property.

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.

In order to avoid any surprise charges, inquire about hotel transfers prior to booking. Many times, rooms seem to be a good deal, but there are hidden fees for this service. You will save more by asking about such a thing in advance.

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.

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.

Nothing casts a pall over a vacation like having to stay in a hotel that seems like something out of a horror movie. However, finding the perfect vacation for your next trip can seem impossible at times. With the right advice, doing so becomes a lot easier. Use the tips you have read here to find a great hotel.