The hotel that you choose can turn your stay into a nightmare or a delight. Hotels are expensive, so this is not a decision to be taken lightly. Follow these tips to get the best value in hotel accommodations.

Find great hotel room prices by checking out travel websites like Orbitz and Expedia. Join the loyalty program for any hotel chain that you love and believe you’ll stay with often. You may also be eligible for deals that are offered to members of certain organizations, like AAA or AARP.

When making a hotel selection, you should consider many things. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Amenities like a swimming pool, a gym, free local calls or breakfast, and other amenities may be things that you prefer. Ensure the hotel you are planning on staying at has the amenities you desire.

Take advantage of search tools online. Some websites are designed to help you find the best deals. Being able to comparison shop helps you find the best value, while getting the amenities that are important to you. You can also use them to explore the area around the hotel for recreation.

Always check for online deals prior to booking your hotel room. Many times, the reservation specialist won’t tell you of discounts when you call to book your room. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Check out websites such as Jetsetter, RueLaLaTravel, and SniqueAway.

Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Some people fail to check when they will be able to access their rooms. They arrive at the hotel but find that their room isn’t ready yet. If you will be arriving before check-in, call the hotel in advance and see if you can check-in early.

For the best hotel rates, plan your trip weeks or months ahead of time. If you book one or two months in advance, you can often receive a discount. You can expect savings up to fifty percent if you book months in advance.

Never assume that all hotels are pet-friendly. Always call to ask, even if it says pet-friendly online. Make sure that you ask ahead what pet-friendly means to the hotel because this is a loose term that may still mean there are certain restrictions.

For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It may be surprising that auto clubs members receive hotel deals, but they do. You could save 5% or even 10% on some rooms. This can add up on a long trip.

If you are an avid jogger, a GPS watch is a great investment so you can always find your way back to your hotel. Also, don’t forget your exercise clothes! Enjoy a morning jog each day while on vacation. Even if you are running down roads or down city streets, you’ll get a new perspective on the city you’re visiting before you’re done.

If you are a person who travels often, it is a good idea to sign up for hotel loyalty programs. These programs provide perks to those who stay at a particular chain regularly. You will be able to earn stuff like a free upgrade, an allowance to check out late, and even free stays when you get enough points.

Try out a green vacation. Fortunately, there are many green hotels to choose from today. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Older hotels may choose to take “green” standards seriously, which is a great thing. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.

Join a membership program if you travel frequently. This allows you to earn points each time you book a room. You can use these points to purchase perks in the future.

Sign up for AAA to ensure easier hotel arrangements when traveling. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it’s needed. Many car rental agencies add perks, such as a child car seat at no charge, for AAA members.

Be sure you know what the hotel smoking policy is if you smoke cigarettes. Some hotels offer smoking rooms. So be sure to request one of these rooms. Some hotels will levy a large fine if they can determine that you smoked in a room where smoking was not allowed, so make sure you understand and follow the hotel’s smoking policy.

You should be aware whether or not the hotel permits guests to have pets in the rooms. If you’re fearful of pets or have an allergic reaction to them, it would be in your best interest to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. If the hotel does not have good cleaning practices, you may be bothered by pet odors. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. In fact, the extra charge for pets might not even cover the costs of cleaning; therefore, you should make sure you know all this ahead of time.

Beware of an establishment that attempts to “walk you.” This happens when the room you requested is unavailable because of overbooking on the part of the hotel. This means that they will direct you to another hotel. You should try to avoid this; however, if this is necessary, ensure you are provided with the same quality room or better at the same price you would have paid.

As you can now see, preparation is key to finding a great deal on a great hotel. You need to know what you are looking for and when you should book a room. Keep these tips in mind to find the perfect hotel.