Caption: Hotels give travelers a nice, clean place to rest their head amongst the chaos of nomadic life
Everyone loves that luxurious feeling a hotel stay can exude. A night spent in clean sheets eating room service, not having to worry about making the messy bed in the morning and instead hopping downstairs to a tantalizing breakfast buffet spread.
Especially for frequent travelers who spend most of their time on the road or in a plane, hotels are clean oases of rest. However, there may be a few ways to maximize your stay that you haven’t yet considered. If you’re someone who enjoys staying in hotels, check out below these surefire tips that are bound to make your experience better than ever.
See if you can check in early
Depending on the hotel, check-in times often vary. But one of the best hotel hacks is to call ahead and tell the front desk you plan to arrive a bit earlier and then see if they have something for you. Many people don’t know that the strict times concierge tells guests are normally flexible. For example, if your room has already been tidied up by housekeeping, you’ll probably be able to slide in a few hours ahead of schedule.
This is a great strategy for those who are looking to get the absolute bang for their buck and enjoy their room for a longer period of time. When it comes to check out, if you’re running late just notify the staff and you most likely won’t be charged. After all, hotels want to satisfy their guests, especially for good reviews, so don’t be afraid to ask for exceptions.
Utilize your personal streaming services from the room
Nowadays you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel room that doesn’t offer Netflix or another streaming service on your hotel T.V. This new wave of around-the-clock entertainment has taken over the industry as its clear that guests want to watch what they want, when they want it.
The next time you stay at a hotel, log into your account from the comfort of your double bed and enjoy your favorite movies or series at just the click of a button. Similarly for football fans, many hotels also offer access to sports streaming platforms so followers can stay up-to-date on their team’s action, especially as they follow stats and predictions by expert pundits and analysts in the league.
It can be hard to stay plugged in to America’s greatest sport while traveling, but guests who take advantage of hotel offers like these never miss a beat. So the next time you’re worried about missing an episode or event, remember that everything you need is probably within arm’s reach.
Take advantage of the amenities
Streaming services aren’t the only thing that hotel guests benefit from during their stay. There are actually a variety of amenities most people don’t even realize they can use when they choose a hotel. From beach chairs to gym equipment, most hotels have available services like these that are free to guests of the accommodation.
Wherever you decide to stay, be sure to check out all the amenities online before so that when you arrive you waste no time enjoying them. Depending on the facilities star rating, you may even have access to a luxury spa or private pool, or even giraffes!
Caption: Your accommodation most likely comes with access to a wide variety of amenities like the pool and spa
Check out the free stuff
This may be the greatest hotel hack on the list, and a great travel tip in general. When staying at a hotel, there are many random things you can actually receive completely free of charge. From toiletries to phone chargers, laundry bags, bathrobes, and even branded mugs, hotels often shower their guests with little trinkets if they just ask. Especially for your personal room, if you need extra blankets, pillows, or towels just call down to the front desk and put in a request.
Just because these things may not be visible for guests around the hotel doesn’t mean they don’t exist!
Forge relationships with the staff and tip well
One of the best things you can do during your hotel stay is learn the names of the staff that will be assisting you. After all, if you’re visiting a new city or unknown town and have no idea how to get around or what to see, these people are your best friends. Throughout your stay, be sure to tip the staff accordingly, but if you’re not sure what the proper amount is, check out this helpful guide. Make the absolute most of your travel and hotel experience by connecting with concierge and housekeeping along the way.