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Any tips for getting more value for money out of hotel stays?
We're looking for tips for both individual travellers and corporate groups – and not just on room rates, but add ons too (wifi, meals, meetings).
Thanks.
Depends on what you like, but I find that sometimes an upgrade to a Club/Executive room is only £20 more. If you are like me: enjoying breakfast and the occasional drink post-work it creates a good value for me when staying in properties where I have no status. Obviously, the property needs to have the facilities available.
At hotels where I am a regular, I always speak to a member of the management team and negotiate exactly what works for me.
Doesnt always mean I am after a discount, unless offered, but building in benefits to the rate offered.
In BKK, I benefit from 1 rate to cover all food, laundry, drinks, business facilities, limo transfers to and from airport and being met at the aircraft and taken through the fast track. For me this works far better than a discount. Oh....I also asked for the rate to be clean of taxes and add on's and this was agreed.
For one nighters, especially at airports, I phone the hotel and tell them my budget and ask if they have a room. As long as its not a "rude" offer, it is generally accepted, to include breakfast of course!!
If one can be bothered to, there are substantial sums to be saved but eating breakfast in a local restaurant or buying from the supermarket.
One can also save loads by booking through cashback sites like topcashback.co.uk as you get 5% off IHG hotels, 8% off hotels.com, etc. It really adds up! Also, hotels.com has its one night in 10 free offer, which also is good value.
I would agree with Hengli - Quidco has some great cashback rates on the main hotel groups. I have also phoned hotels in the past and asked for a room to match my budget, with some success. Hotels.com is great too, but beware - when you book with them, in my experience you will not earn any loyalty points (e.g. Carlsson, Priority Club, etc) on your booking, even on a flexible rate. However, you do get up to 12% cashback on what you spend.
I also wish hotels would encourage the Green policies they strive for by offering a Green discount.
If hotel rooms can be enviromentally friendly, meaning a cost saving in washing and replacing linens daily + other savings, this should in part be passed on to the guest.
"If hotel rooms can be enviromentally friendly, meaning a cost saving in washing and replacing linens daily + other savings, this should in part be passed on to the guest."
Only once in the past 8 years, has a hotel left my used towels to dry and not replaced them ... and this was last week!
I conclude that this message is hypocritical, as they do not implement it.
Spot on DoS, they dont implement it, but hotels still put silly signs in the bathrooms in the hope that they can reduce their laundry bills.
When booking a Hilton there is often the option to book an upgrade if available for a small extra amount. I always take advantage of this and so far have never not received the upgrade.
I'll also book a room guaranteeing use of the Executive Lounge. Though some are a bit grotty and not worth the extra, many repay the extra spent many times over with free food, drinks, Internet use and so on.
I agree with Chris the biggest ripoff is the internet. Especially galling are those hotels who offer free Internet with a cable, but charge if it's wireless. As I mainly use an iPad I find this very annoying but a word with concierge will usually get me a free voucher.
Sometimes looking blind at the price tag of the hotel room cost you. Additional benefits like free wifi and complimentary offerings may compensate well beyond a price difference of the room.
I have for instance noticed that paying a premium for a better room which include access to the executive floor may pay of very well. I have often stayed at places where the service in the executive club has included buffet dinners with a selection of beverages and a very good breakfast offering as well. In addition to this usually being a bargain, it also simplifies travelling, with less bills to add to the travel expense report.
Lugano Pirate.....Agree about internet...have you tried Apples Aiprot express product. Turns wired to wireless.....there are also other products that do the same.
Have not tried to the direct approach but have tried to stick to one or two chains such as ICHG and Hilton. The latter provides free wifi and good upgrades almost universally whilst ICHG is points generous leading to free stays. Their recognition and upgrade policy is very poor IMHO unless you have ambassador status at Intercon.
We had some good debate about this a few weeks ago in this thread:
www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/New-business-traveler-needs-help-choosing-a-hotel-chain
Here is an extract:
Do explore booking through cashback websites like www.quidco.com in the UK.
You should also not be afraid to negotiate aggressively with the hotel you plan on staying in; even for midweek only stays of a month or two I have negotiated 30%-40% discounts, including things like free breakfast (very little marginal cost to the hotel), free internet, preferred rooms (e.g high floor/view), access to Club (free drinks) and/or dry cleaning and even in one property a voucher for a free glass of champagne (proper champers, too!) on check in.
In practice a hotel at which you stay often will automatically start treating you as well as most top tier elites once you become a recognised return guest; attending the dreadful Ambassador's reception at higher end properties can be painful but worth it as you'll get a hotline to the property's General Manager (GM), though this is of less value in Residence Inn style properties as there's not much service differentiation available.
It’s as well to note that many of these schemes have calendar year cut offs, so it’s best to focus on getting status in one scheme before New Year; it would be annoying if you almost made it and then were foiled at the last!
Oh, and buy a decent pair of eyeshades; hotel rooms light up like airports at night with LEDs for TV, fire alarm, air conditioning and other as yet unidentified devices...
VK, that is so true about the eyeshades, those lights on TVs and especially the digital clock that is often attached to the bottom is the one single cause of most of my sleepless nights. That, and the price...
I use Hotels.com through Quidco which gives me between 9 and 12% cash back, plus every 10th night I get a free night, or discount to that value based on the average of the last ten nights.
Thanks to all for your information.I was planning to spend my holidays in USA & your information Will help me in my trip to save money.
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