10 Things You Should Ask For When You Check In – Travel Tips
Okay You’ve arrived at the hotel! You asked for the Best Price and you are ready to check in, don’t worry it is not too late to get a little more out of your stay!
Last Month I visited 65 cities and was in a hotel for 21 out of the 31 days.
To make the most of your hotel experience (and get the most bang-for-your-buck), here are a 10 things you should ask for when you check in that you didn’t think about before.
1. Late Check Out
You might have a late flight or maybe you’d rather keep your personal items in your room instead of at the front desk. You might just need some extra time in your room, then asking for a late check out right when you first check in is one of the most important things to do upon arrival. I also try to chat them up, ask politely, talk up your loyalty to the hotel, and don’t be shy to tip the concierge for the favor. Sometimes I just bring an extra copy of one of my best selling books to give them!
2. Rentals
Many properties aren’t so quick to share about some added perks. Did you know about the electric guitar and amp rentals offered by Hard Rock Hotels. Other hotels rent bicycles, golf buggies, and trusty umbrellas, hotel rentals are worth finding out about up front.
3. Extra Amenities
Not all hotels have their own spas, pools, saunas, and steam rooms but many that don’t often compensate by partnering up with nearby establishments or sister properties to offer guests free use of the amenities at a nearby location. As well as spas and saunas, hotels offer practical extras like airport shuttle runs and private cars to make your stay as smooth as possible, so just ask.
4. Unbiased Recommendations
Almost all hotels often have both official and unofficial partnerships established that they work with locally. As a result, some hotels will send you to the nearest, overpriced tourist trap. When you arrive remember to ask the concierge/doorman/waiter for an unbiased recommendation.
5. A Room with a View
While a crumby view from your hotel window due to unforeseen building works isn’t necessarily the hotel’s fault, it’s in their best interests to keep guests happy. If the view from your window is important — let’s face it, sometimes it’s the reason you booked — then make sure to confirm you’re getting the room with a view that you requested. And even if you didn’t plan ahead, it’s worth asking for a room with a view upon check in; you just might snag an upgrade for free!
6. Toiletries
More often than not I have forgot several essential items that the hotel has been able to provide me with everything from a complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste, to shaving cream to hair gel. Toiletries in hotels are like breadsticks at an italian restaurant; they should always be free and you should always be given more when you ask. If you’ve forgotten your toiletry bag and have a bad case of airplane breath, ask the reception — and.
7. Netflix
Select Marriott hotels allow guests access to their internet-connected TVs so you can sign into your Netflix account and stream whatever you want. Remember to ask for Netflix next time you’re staying in a Marriott.
8. A Quiet Room
This one is super ninja hotels usually have a book by the check in where past guest have complained about noise or views and no hotel wants you to leave having had a bad experience, And at a hotel, what is more concerning than getting a good night’s sleep? Always ask to be put in a room away from the elevator and large conference rooms that might make noise, and if possible not in a room with a connecting door.
9. The Upgrade
Who Doesn’t want a free upgrade? The best trick for a free upgrade is to discreetly ask if there is a corner room available. The other strategy I go for is let them know that when you booked your room you thought you were only going to be there for a few days, you may need to extend for a couple more days. Ask if there is a nicer room available or if you’ll need to change hotels half-way through the stay.
10. Extra Clean Linens
Make sure to request a full set of linens, bed sheets & blankets at check in. Generally, hotels clean bed linens everyday but just incase they haven’t there could be comforters and blankets on your bed that might have had more than a few days of other peoples’ use. If you directly ask, they practically have to do it; no hotel wants a review that a guest was denied a clean spot to rest his head.
Side Note: I practically always use booking.com for my reservations they have always have the best prices on all of my travel needs.
If it is super last minute which most of my trips are… then I use Last Minute Travel!
Let me know what your best travel tips are!
