Sellsius real estate marketing blog

Hotel guests should be aware of these dirty little secrets. They can save you time, money and aggravation. Sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite (see number 8 ).

1. Getting the best room rates. Call the hotel’s local number, not the 800 number, which is usually to an off-site call center. Ask for the manager on duty or general manager rather than the reservations desk.
Reservations personnel have no leeway with hotel pricing. Managers can negotiate price, accomodations and upgrades. Be persistent. Ask for any discounts or specials. AAA and AARP are good for 10% savings.

2. You can negotiate anything. Anything from room rates, to parking, to flat fee long distance calling. We are all familiar with early check in and late check out but did you know you can negotiate a “day rate” (short term stay) if you are only going to be in town for a few hours. The savings: about 50%

3. Get a room when there is no vacancy. Hotels list rooms “out of order” for any number of reasons, ranging from carpet stains to missing furniture. Ask the hotel manager about these rooms.

4. Bring only a few credit cards. It’s no secret thieves love hotels. Out-of-towners, transients, the perfect victims. But thieves are getting slicker. Rather than steal a wallet full of credit cards, they’ll lift just one. Odds are you won’t miss just one card. So check-in with only a couple of cards so you’ll notice if any hit the road.

5. Reserve rooms at late afternoon, early evening. Hotels clear the reservation “no-shows” anywhere from 4-6 pm and then offer those rooms at discounted rates. Managers are also more willing to negotiate room rates as the night wears on— an unoccupied room makes no money.

6. Meet and tip the housekeeper. Besides being overworked, underpaid and underappreciated, many dishonest ones supplement their income by helping thieves (or themselves). Besides getting better service, your tips will discourage them from targeting you. By meeting your housekeeper, you reduce the chances of someone else getting access to your room posing as you (an old ruse).

7. Do not leave your bags with the bellhop. Luggage is often stolen off the carts and hotels are not legally responsible. Insist on them being kept in a secure room.

8. Avoid germs and bedbugs. Germs thrive on never cleaned hotel itemssuch as the TV remote, telephone and clock radio. Include antibacterial wipes in your travel bag. While fresh linens are provided, bedspreads are rarely cleaned. Ask for clean blankets when you arrive. Bedbugs most common hangout is hotels and motels.

9. Use the lost and found. Forgot your cell phone charger? No need to buy another. Just go to Lost and Found. Recharging cords are the most common left behinds and hotels are willing to lend them.

10. Beware of moving items in the mini-bar. Hotels are installing motion & weight sensors that will charge you if an item is moved. I guess they’re trying to cut down on us drinking the $10 Coke and replacing it later with a $1 can bought at the supermarket. Dang.

11. Check out a Bed & Breakfast or a Timeshare. An alternative to hotels, B&B’s can be reasonably priced. Plus you get breakfast. Renting timeshares from owners on sites like Redweek will score you huge discounts on vacation destinations.

12. Check online aggregators, search engines like Sidestep and Kayak as well as bidding sites like Priceline. Bidding sites can get you great deals on 4-star hotels.

Sources: BottomLineSecrets; Videojug.

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