Staying in a high-class hotel can be an unforgettable experience with room service, pools, massages, free drinks, and other perks, but it also ends up being quite expensive and rates tend to go up over time.
For that reason, a lot of tourists are taking advantage of websites such as VRBO or Airbnb to find great deals on vacation accommodation. However, hotels can be great and, at the same time, an affordable experience if you follow some of our hotel hacks.
1. Negotiate Directly with the Hotel
Calling a hotel directly to get a better rate for your stay is something that works best with B&Bs or smaller properties. Sites like Kayak or Expedia charge a commission so don’t think that the advertised price is as low as a hotel will go.
2. Book with an App for Drop-In Discounts
While booking a room early with an app like Service [1] is always a great idea, by using their website, you can lock your reservation and then get some money back if the rates go down. You can also use the Pruvo app [2] which sends you notifications once a booked room’s price goes down, but users have to cancel and rebook manually.
3. Check-In with a $20 Tip
Writer and ex-receptionist Jacob Tomsky explains in his book Heads in Beds that giving your receptionist a $20 tip [3] comes with a good chance of getting an upgrade. Tomsky adds that saying something like “Whatever you can do for me, I’d appreciate it” lets them know that you’re not expecting any favor in return, but giving them a reward for their service.
4. Use Chromecast or Roku for Streaming
Watching the channels that are usually available in the hotel lobby is not what most people want to do. Luckily, you can get a streaming device [4] such as a Roku Streaming Stick or Chromecast and easily bring it with you on vacation.
5. Get Extra Perks with a Hotel Loyalty Program
Although most hotels offer free Wi-Fi, some larger chains throttle speeds and a paid upgrade ends up being your only choice. If there’s no free Wi-Fi in your hotel, look for their loyalty program [5] which is often free to join but has perks like free Wi-Fi.
6. Wrap a Charger Around Your Wallet
Do you tend to forget chargers? Wrap the charger cord around your wallet then so there’s no chance of forgetting it somewhere.
7. Ask to Lend Before Buying Anything
If you’ve forgotten a charger, toothbrush, etc., don’t buy replacements right away. Go to the front desk and ask if they can give you something for free or lend to you. If you need to buy something, do it outside of the hotel because prices are always lower.
8. Hack the “Do Not Disturb” Sign
A “Do Not Disturb” sign is perfect if you’re wary of getting things stolen by maids or want to deter theft in general.
9. Keep the Electricity on with a Spare Card
More and more hotels are going green and require a key card to keep the electricity on. But how do you power your electronics or let someone stay in your room without you if you only have one key? Simple. Ask for two keys or use an old plastic card.
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/books/review/heads-in-beds-by-jacob-tomsky.html
[4] https://www.travelzoo.com/ca/blog/17-ways-to-hack-your-hotel-room/
[5] https://www.smartertravel.com/12-hotel-hacks-will-save-money/