Hotels

[columbusmomma]

What is the best way to go about getting a hotel at a discounted rate? Throught a place like travelocity, or AAA discount, calling the hotel chain directly? Any thoughts?!

[MyTwoAs]

I shop the web sites that I trust and then call the hotel directly (not the 800#) and ask if they have a better rate...I'd say 9/10 I do get a better rate after calling.

[sunnysandiegan]

I search Trip Advisor for reviews to narrow it down to the type of hotel we want for that specific trip and a list of names. Then I check Travel Zoo and other websites like that for deals, hoping to match the exact hotels, but the pre-work helps with pricing, too. I call the hotel to ask specific questions before booking and include a discussion of prices/deals/etc. We are going on vacation in April and will be in two different areas. For one, it saved me money to call and ask because she gave me a discount off the lowest price I could find online (week-long stay, so the per night discount she offered was NICE). For the other hotel, I called and asked questions and she told me straight-up that it was cheaper to book online. I am glad I called, though, because she was brutally honest about the size of the rooms and the views, etc. We haven't decided where to stay, yet, in that area. It is only two nights and is the more populated place, so we're not too concerned. Honestly, I simply cannot find the "right" combination of features for our family in this particular area and since we have to "settle" anyway, I will end up booking at the last minute for the best value I can find for the best combination of features.

[columbusmomma]

Thanks for the tips

[rhiOrion]

If you don't really care much about what hotel, you can do one of those sites like Priceline or Hotwire. My mom frequently gets good deals on hotel rooms that way. But I would imagine that it would be more of a crap shoot if you have kids staying with you.

[crunchy_mommy]

I second hotwire.com... I've booked hotels a few times through there & there are other sites like http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/ that will help you understand what to expect by bidding in certain locations (you can often predict which hotel they'll give you). It's a little confusing the first time but once you get the hang of it you can save a lot. My most recent hotel stay, we stayed for $40 a night at a $120/night hotel (3 stars, pool/jacuzzi, etc.) when all the one-star hotels/motels in the area were at least $70/night. Once you book the hotel, call the hotel directly with any special requests (we were able to request a king-size bed & a mini fridge for ex.)

[WorldsBestMom]

Hotwire.com a friend of mine told me about that website but I have never really made any effort to check them out.

[StephandOwen]

We usually get the best deal booking direct with the hotel. We also use AAA.

ETA- we are pretty strict on what hotels we stay at (because of allergies/asthma in the family) so we can't do any of those "guessing" ones where you don't know what hotel it is until after you book it. Those always looked fun to me though... like a game!

[MtBikeLover]

Not sure what you need the hotel for, but I travel quite a bit and never stay at hotels unless it is for business. We like to have extra space so we usually rent a house. Last year, I found vrbo.com and I have fallen in love with it. I've used it twice in the last 6 months and will use it again for summer vacation.

The rates are way better than hotels and you have so much space! Plus, you have a kitchen to be able to cook your own meals.

[Drummer's Wife]

I like Trip Advisor, and then look around for the best deal - usually, it seems like that is straight through the hotel. And then I sign up for the rewards/membership if they have one, which generally comes with a discount. For instance, I just booked a hotel a week ago, and it's part of the Choice Hotels group, so I signed up for the card and got almost $20 off per night - plus, if we stay at one of their hotels in the future we get more points added to the card to earn things like free nights. I did the same thing last summer with a different hotel and got a much better deal just by joining.

[dancebaraka]

I recommend checking out www.vrbo.com for privately owned & unusual accommodations. Great deals are in there..

And I also love tripadvisor

Another thing I have done for the free nights is get a priority club visa card.. just when they offer those 2 free nights with new acct. deals.. i buy something with the card, get my free nights & use them, pay the card off & close it.. I have done this a few times.

eta: this is my last sole dealing with credit cards at all

[dawningmama]

I, too, like renting a home/condo for vacation but one or two night stays (like on a road trip route), we usually book through priceline or hotwire.

[Norasmomma]

I like looking at Tripadvisor, they are real people who stayed at the hotel and give the reviews. The times I've used it they have been the best, maybe not the cheapest, but definitely the nicest. This last time we just were staying for fun and we got a nice hotel for $100, but then we got a coupon for next time we stay for 25% off, plus right now any Choice hotel(Sleep Inn, Comfort, etc) will give you a free night if you stay 2 nights, it can be 2 consecutive nights or 2 separate nights. I always look at TA if I'm going to stay anywhere, it's so helpful.

[akichan]

Is there a way to search for hotels by amenity? For instance, I definitely want a hotel with a refrigerator or mini-fridge, or perhaps one with free breakfast or continental breakfast. Or is there a list of chain hotels that provide specific amenities throughout their chain?

[mamaflutter]

Hey I only have one pice of advice for you but I hope it helps abit. I worked in a motel very very breifly and the first thing you learn is to never let a cust walk away! You give the standerd rates than if they start to walk away you give a lower rate. Kinda hard to do over the phone but I've used the well so and so gave me this price and they love beating it to get the competitors buisness. Good luck.

[columbusmomma]

Thanks for all the tips! Keep 'em coming!
My search is still on.....

[jem1976]

It's worth keeping in mind that if you book through a website the hotel has to pay commision to that website so almost ANY hotel will honour the internet price when you book direct with them as it actually gives them more money!

It's also worth checking out if the hotel does any prepaid deals. These have the disadvantage of being non-transferrable or refundable but if you are absolutely set on dates and location this can save you money. I know for sure that Best Western do this (in the UK where I am anyways), again I would phone the hotel and ask them to honour the prepaid price.

Good luck!