When you are traveling, you’re often going to find yourself staying in a hotel. Have you ever stayed at a hotel that just did not live up to your expectations? Surely you’re abiding by your budget, and there are of course going to be several to choose from. In order to make the best lodging decision on your next trip, follow the advice that is about to be discussed.

To help your family get into the hotel as comfortably as possible when you are pulling in for a late-night checkin, pull the car under the porte cochere, and leave the engine running while you go inside to check in. Even if you don’t get lucky enough to get to have a room close to the front and have to drive to another entrance, this minimizes the traipsing that they have to do.

When searching for a hotel, consider “bundle” packages. For example, if you have to fly to your location, look for a bundle that includes both your hotel room and your airfare. You should save quite a bit of money that way, but make sure to always double-check the regular room rate to ensure you are getting a good deal.

When traveling with a pet, your choices of hotels will be limited. Once you find a hotel that is pet friendly, find out what the policies are with regard to pets. Most hotels charge an extra fee for pets, and they may have designated areas in which to walk your pet. Be sure you know the particulars ahead of time to avoid potential problems later.

If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. Quite a few locations will give discounts if you choose to book a room a month or more in advance. Doing this could save you up to 50 percent off your room, and this holds true with the more elite brands as well.

If the hotel you stay at offers a couples massage, it is very important that you make an appointment well ahead of time. The best professionals are often in high demand, so get in while you can.

If you want to save some serious money on your hotel reservations, get the price bundled with something else. This is typically done through an online travel site. When bundled with airfare, hotel room rates drop dramatically, sometimes by over half the list rates that are publicly advertised elsewhere on the Internet.

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.

It is not a good idea to place the “maid service needed” sign on your door at a hotel. This is a dead giveaway that you are not in the room. It can attract people who want to steal your valuables. It is better to notify the desk when you need maid service than to leave out the sign.

If you travel frequently, you can maximize your hotel benefits by looking into reward programs from large hotel chains. That way, each time you stay, you accrue points that you can turn into vacation freebies when it’s time to take the family on an adventure.

What do you look for in a hotel? Do you stay in budget-friendly places, or do you prefer the high-end establishments? No matter your choice, this article has served up some great tips for making sure you end up in a comfortable hotel that suits you just fine. You want to feel like you’re staying at a home away from home.