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Cheap Hotel Rooms
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s rest at a hotel room, especially while on vacation or
a business trip. To ensure the best hotel stay with the very least amount of dispair, is to follow these
very helpful guidelines that have been compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
ASTA members are trained professionals who are experts at hotels, the many services they provide,
and, most importantly, the quality you expect. You can easily find some cheap hotel rooms easily.
Choice of Power
Choosing the right hotel for your overnight or vacation stay is only half the battle. Most of all
Americans will spend many hours trying to find the right airline ticket, but only a few minutes to
research a hotel , often going with the cheapest hotel.
While the price is a universal factor, remember that mostly all of the hotels want to run a full house
and they will strive for this goal every night. To get the very best deal possible, book early through a
travel agent and try to be flexible with your dates. Hotels who cater to business persons will
surprisingly give great weekend rates, which they consider in the “off season.”
Most travel agents will ask for special package deals loaded with options or discounts for seniors,
families or the military that may apply. They also understand your needs and expectations, so they will
be able to choose the hotel that’s best for you, based on the amenities and services it provides, along
with its proximity to the interstate, airport, restaurants and attractions.
Reservations For Your Hotel Room
While direct online booking is an option, it’s still advisable to book through a travel agent. If you
choose to contact a hotel directly, travel agents recommend that it may pay to connect in a more
conventional way—by phone. Many hotels, both national and independently owned, have toll-free
numbers to connect you to reservation specialists. If no such number is available and you must call
the hotel directly, be sure to call in the afternoon or night, for the mornings are hectic times while
guests checkout.
When making a reservation, confirm the quoted rate and record the confirmation number and the
name of the person with whom you spoke. Ask the reservation specialist to repeat him or herself, write
down the details, and be clear about the type of room you are getting, if it’s smoking or non-smoking,
and what are the check-in and checkout times.
Once the room is reserved, document all hotel information and a full itinerary to leave with a friend or
neighbor in case of emergencies. If you book your room through a travel agent, make copies of the
reservation confirmation they provide you, for it will clearly state the hotel’s information and your
arrival and departure dates.
Have this confirmation information or a printout of your e-mail reservation available when you check-
in. Hotels never intentionally misplace or incorrectly enter reservation information, but it’s always a
good idea to bring evidence just in case.
LATE ARRIVALS – EVEN NIGHTOWLS NEED TO SLEEP
There’s nothing worse than driving all day through syrupy traffic only to arrive at the hotel and
discover your reservation is expired and there are no more rooms available. The key to never having
this happen is knowing how late is late.
Most hotel chains will hold a normal reservation until 6 p.m. For those arriving later in the night, ask to
guarantee the reservation with a credit card number. Even those pulling up after midnight with a
guaranteed reservation will find a warm bed waiting. Hotels hold the right to cancel reservations that
are not guaranteed. If you are delayed en route, call the hotel and ask to hold your reservation until
you arrive.
NO ROOM IN THE INN?
Even though losing an expected room due to over-booking or a misplaced reservation may come as a
shock, don’t let it get you down. Most hotels will assist in remedying the situation by transferring you to
a sister location, an associated hotel nearby.
If the lost reservation was guaranteed, then the burden falls on the hotel to ensure that your new
room at the sister location is of equal or greater quality and at no additional cost. The hotel should
cover any transportation expenses incurred by paying for a taxi or providing the use of their shuttle
service.
If this courtesy is not extended, then ask to speak to a manager or contact your travel agent to act as
your advocate.
CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH A SMILE
As a valued consumer, your satisfaction is important. Hotel staffs are thoroughly trained, working
around the clock to meet your needs. However, problems may arise, such as uncooperative
neighbors, so know the hierarchy of the hotel’s customer service for a swift resolution.
A quick call to your travel agent is always a good first step, for they speak the hotel language and
understand reasonable reparations for each problem. Through advocacy and advice, travel agents
can assuage most situations, pleasing you and the hotel.
Staying within the hotel, the front desk clerk is trained to handle problems without involving the
manager, so state your complaint clearly and allow them to arrange a remedy. From forgotten
toothbrushes to room relocations, front desk clerks offer the quickest and most direct assistance.
If your complaint falls outside their jurisdiction, politely ask to see the manager. Managers better
understand the necessities of customer loyalty and possess the authority to offer guests discounts on
current or future stays.
If nothing is resolved with the manager, contact the hotel’s customer service department. Be sure to
write down the names of the people you spoke with, the dates of your stay and the rates charged to
aid the operator in assisting you in the most proficient capacity.
CHECKING IN
The only obstacle during check-in should be the line at the counter. With your reservation made,
hotels will want to usher you to your room as quickly as possible, so have your confirmation
information ready and verify that the rate charged is the rate originally quoted.
Know the proper check-in time and ask specific questions about the area and the provided services.
Request a card with the hotel’s name, address and telephone information in case you get lost
exploring the city.
FULLY STOCKED – THE THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED
Depending on your needs, ask if the hotel offers or provides the following:
» Laundry service or in-room ironing board and iron
» Hair dryers
» Voltage converters
» In-room coffee makers, refrigerators or kitchenettes
» Morning newspaper service
» Complimentary meals (usually breakfast)
» Access to fax machine, copier or printer
» Mini-bar or refreshments
» Data port
» In-room safe
» Cable television, movies or video games
» Portable cribs or rollaway beds
» Shuttle service to airport or other points of interest
» Recreational facilities
» Telephone access charges
» Adequate parking
Hotels often have a limited number of internet-ready rooms or hair dryers, so ask for specific items
during check-in.
SLEEP TIGHT – SIMPLE STEPS FOR A SAFE STAY
Safety is a priority for you and the hotel. From your car to their bed, take a few precautions and don’t
leave anything to chance.
Park in a well-lit space near the hotel entrance or your room, and be sure to lock all doors and keep
valuables in the trunk and out of sight. If given the option, always ask for a room with an interior
entrance. At the front desk, ask that the attendant write your room number down so that no one can
hear it, and quickly pocket your key if it has the room number printed on it.
Once inside your room, lock your door with the deadbolt and the chain lock, and familiarize yourself
with the fire exits posted on the back of the door. Do not open the door for anyone unless you verify
the identity of the person either through the peephole or verbally, even if you are expecting a friend
or room service.
CHECKING OUT WITH NO SURPRISES
At the end of a hotel stay, checking out should be a pleasant experience as long as there are no
surprises like left-behind items or incidental charges. Check the room thoroughly before vacating,
including drawers, closets and the bathroom, especially behind the shower curtain and the back of the
bathroom door.
Most hotels have established checkout times ranging from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you need additional
time, request it in advance, or else you may be charged an additional night.
Review the bill to ensure all charges are accurate, and you received all entitled credits and discount.
Get a receipt, and if you pay in cash, make sure it is marked, “Paid in Cash.”
TIPS ON TIPPING
Unless your hotel has already accounted for gratuities, tipping various employees is expected,
depending on the amount and quality of the service. Here’s a general guide:
» Bellhop – $1 to $2 per bag (extra if bags are heavy or cumbersome).
» Coat check – $1 to $2
» Concierge – $2 to $10 depending on the service; 10 percent of the cost for securing hard to find
items like tickets to the theatre or sporting events.
» Doorman – $1 to $2 for hailing cab (extra in bad weather).
» Housekeeping – $1 to $2 per night (extra for upscale hotels or if room was particularly messy).
» Room Service – 15 percent or at least $2, unless gratuity is included.
» Valet – $1 to $2 each time you request your car (extra in bad weather).
a business trip. To ensure the best hotel stay with the very least amount of dispair, is to follow these
very helpful guidelines that have been compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
ASTA members are trained professionals who are experts at hotels, the many services they provide,
and, most importantly, the quality you expect. You can easily find some cheap hotel rooms easily.
Choice of Power
Choosing the right hotel for your overnight or vacation stay is only half the battle. Most of all
Americans will spend many hours trying to find the right airline ticket, but only a few minutes to
research a hotel , often going with the cheapest hotel.
While the price is a universal factor, remember that mostly all of the hotels want to run a full house
and they will strive for this goal every night. To get the very best deal possible, book early through a
travel agent and try to be flexible with your dates. Hotels who cater to business persons will
surprisingly give great weekend rates, which they consider in the “off season.”
Most travel agents will ask for special package deals loaded with options or discounts for seniors,
families or the military that may apply. They also understand your needs and expectations, so they will
be able to choose the hotel that’s best for you, based on the amenities and services it provides, along
with its proximity to the interstate, airport, restaurants and attractions.
Reservations For Your Hotel Room
While direct online booking is an option, it’s still advisable to book through a travel agent. If you
choose to contact a hotel directly, travel agents recommend that it may pay to connect in a more
conventional way—by phone. Many hotels, both national and independently owned, have toll-free
numbers to connect you to reservation specialists. If no such number is available and you must call
the hotel directly, be sure to call in the afternoon or night, for the mornings are hectic times while
guests checkout.
When making a reservation, confirm the quoted rate and record the confirmation number and the
name of the person with whom you spoke. Ask the reservation specialist to repeat him or herself, write
down the details, and be clear about the type of room you are getting, if it’s smoking or non-smoking,
and what are the check-in and checkout times.
Once the room is reserved, document all hotel information and a full itinerary to leave with a friend or
neighbor in case of emergencies. If you book your room through a travel agent, make copies of the
reservation confirmation they provide you, for it will clearly state the hotel’s information and your
arrival and departure dates.
Have this confirmation information or a printout of your e-mail reservation available when you check-
in. Hotels never intentionally misplace or incorrectly enter reservation information, but it’s always a
good idea to bring evidence just in case.
LATE ARRIVALS – EVEN NIGHTOWLS NEED TO SLEEP
There’s nothing worse than driving all day through syrupy traffic only to arrive at the hotel and
discover your reservation is expired and there are no more rooms available. The key to never having
this happen is knowing how late is late.
Most hotel chains will hold a normal reservation until 6 p.m. For those arriving later in the night, ask to
guarantee the reservation with a credit card number. Even those pulling up after midnight with a
guaranteed reservation will find a warm bed waiting. Hotels hold the right to cancel reservations that
are not guaranteed. If you are delayed en route, call the hotel and ask to hold your reservation until
you arrive.
NO ROOM IN THE INN?
Even though losing an expected room due to over-booking or a misplaced reservation may come as a
shock, don’t let it get you down. Most hotels will assist in remedying the situation by transferring you to
a sister location, an associated hotel nearby.
If the lost reservation was guaranteed, then the burden falls on the hotel to ensure that your new
room at the sister location is of equal or greater quality and at no additional cost. The hotel should
cover any transportation expenses incurred by paying for a taxi or providing the use of their shuttle
service.
If this courtesy is not extended, then ask to speak to a manager or contact your travel agent to act as
your advocate.
CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH A SMILE
As a valued consumer, your satisfaction is important. Hotel staffs are thoroughly trained, working
around the clock to meet your needs. However, problems may arise, such as uncooperative
neighbors, so know the hierarchy of the hotel’s customer service for a swift resolution.
A quick call to your travel agent is always a good first step, for they speak the hotel language and
understand reasonable reparations for each problem. Through advocacy and advice, travel agents
can assuage most situations, pleasing you and the hotel.
Staying within the hotel, the front desk clerk is trained to handle problems without involving the
manager, so state your complaint clearly and allow them to arrange a remedy. From forgotten
toothbrushes to room relocations, front desk clerks offer the quickest and most direct assistance.
If your complaint falls outside their jurisdiction, politely ask to see the manager. Managers better
understand the necessities of customer loyalty and possess the authority to offer guests discounts on
current or future stays.
If nothing is resolved with the manager, contact the hotel’s customer service department. Be sure to
write down the names of the people you spoke with, the dates of your stay and the rates charged to
aid the operator in assisting you in the most proficient capacity.
CHECKING IN
The only obstacle during check-in should be the line at the counter. With your reservation made,
hotels will want to usher you to your room as quickly as possible, so have your confirmation
information ready and verify that the rate charged is the rate originally quoted.
Know the proper check-in time and ask specific questions about the area and the provided services.
Request a card with the hotel’s name, address and telephone information in case you get lost
exploring the city.
FULLY STOCKED – THE THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED
Depending on your needs, ask if the hotel offers or provides the following:
» Laundry service or in-room ironing board and iron
» Hair dryers
» Voltage converters
» In-room coffee makers, refrigerators or kitchenettes
» Morning newspaper service
» Complimentary meals (usually breakfast)
» Access to fax machine, copier or printer
» Mini-bar or refreshments
» Data port
» In-room safe
» Cable television, movies or video games
» Portable cribs or rollaway beds
» Shuttle service to airport or other points of interest
» Recreational facilities
» Telephone access charges
» Adequate parking
Hotels often have a limited number of internet-ready rooms or hair dryers, so ask for specific items
during check-in.
SLEEP TIGHT – SIMPLE STEPS FOR A SAFE STAY
Safety is a priority for you and the hotel. From your car to their bed, take a few precautions and don’t
leave anything to chance.
Park in a well-lit space near the hotel entrance or your room, and be sure to lock all doors and keep
valuables in the trunk and out of sight. If given the option, always ask for a room with an interior
entrance. At the front desk, ask that the attendant write your room number down so that no one can
hear it, and quickly pocket your key if it has the room number printed on it.
Once inside your room, lock your door with the deadbolt and the chain lock, and familiarize yourself
with the fire exits posted on the back of the door. Do not open the door for anyone unless you verify
the identity of the person either through the peephole or verbally, even if you are expecting a friend
or room service.
CHECKING OUT WITH NO SURPRISES
At the end of a hotel stay, checking out should be a pleasant experience as long as there are no
surprises like left-behind items or incidental charges. Check the room thoroughly before vacating,
including drawers, closets and the bathroom, especially behind the shower curtain and the back of the
bathroom door.
Most hotels have established checkout times ranging from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you need additional
time, request it in advance, or else you may be charged an additional night.
Review the bill to ensure all charges are accurate, and you received all entitled credits and discount.
Get a receipt, and if you pay in cash, make sure it is marked, “Paid in Cash.”
TIPS ON TIPPING
Unless your hotel has already accounted for gratuities, tipping various employees is expected,
depending on the amount and quality of the service. Here’s a general guide:
» Bellhop – $1 to $2 per bag (extra if bags are heavy or cumbersome).
» Coat check – $1 to $2
» Concierge – $2 to $10 depending on the service; 10 percent of the cost for securing hard to find
items like tickets to the theatre or sporting events.
» Doorman – $1 to $2 for hailing cab (extra in bad weather).
» Housekeeping – $1 to $2 per night (extra for upscale hotels or if room was particularly messy).
» Room Service – 15 percent or at least $2, unless gratuity is included.
» Valet – $1 to $2 each time you request your car (extra in bad weather).
