If you travel often, or even have a special trip coming up, you’ll probably be booking a hotel room soon enough. Despite the benefits of staying in a hotel, there are also some things you should know beforehand that will save you money and save your health.
1. Don't pay cancelation fees
Do you suddenly need to cancel your booking, but don't want to pay the fee? Call and ask to move your stay to a couple of weeks (or more) later. Then call the next day and cancel for free.
2. Want clean beds? Ask.
The sheets are replaced every day, yes, but blankets only get washed once a week, and bed covers get cleaned once a month (or longer). So if you want it all to be clean, ask in advance.
3. Watch out for water glasses
You really should wash your glass before you drink from it.
4. An early check-in is a risk
There's a reason check-in is at a certain time. Asking to check in earlier can result in a room that may not have been thoroughly cleaned after the last guest checked out.
5. Trust the concierge
They may get some money for sending people to certain places, but they won't risk their reputation by sending people to a bad place.
6. How to get free movies
Make sure not to mention it until check-out.
7. Forget about booking sites
Everyone takes a cut, so reduce your costs by eliminating the broker's fee. Call the hotel directly to get the best price.
8. Don't trust the valet
Unless stated otherwise, the hotel won't be liable for any damages to your car that the valet may have caused. Park your own car, unless you're feeling lucky.
9. No one cleans the remote
One of the only things in your room that is NEVER cleaned is the remote control, and they're often teeming with germs and viruses like the common cold.
10. You may not want to sit there...
The pool water is usually chlorinated, keeping it germ and fungi-free. The same cannot be said for pool furniture...
