Here are a few tips that will help find the right Hotel. Hope they help!

Questions you should always ask:
When comparing rates, look at the whole package. The answers to the questions below could reveal that the more expensive Hotel has included many services in their rate that will reduce other areas of your vacation budget. So, depending on your plans, the more expensive Hotel might provide a less expensive vacation.
Are any meals included with your stay?
If the breakfast is included, does that mean cold cereal or a whole buffet?
Are there any special deals for children?
Are there any special deals for seniors?
Does the Hotel provide free in room coffee, morning newspapers or complimentary evening cocktails?
Does the Hotel have excellent pool, fitness or tennis facilities that could provide a cheap day of entertainment by just hanging around the Hotel?
Does the Hotel have a golf, tennis or spa package that will save you over booking these items separately?
Is the Hotel’s location particularly good, or does the Hotel have a shuttle service that could save you lots of cab fare or even eliminate the need for a rental car? Remember a shuttle service will also save you parking fees and gas.
Does the Hotel have laundry services or the ability to loan out irons, ironing boards, hair dryers or voltage converters if needed to help lessen your luggage needs?
Does the Hotel have other amenities available such as in room coffee makers, refrigerators or even kitchenettes that could save you money in your food budget?

How can I save money?
Make your reservation as soon as you have decided on travel plans. A limited amount of the cheapest rates are only usually available to the first few that reserve on a particular date; and they go quickly.
Being flexible about your travel plans can save you money.
The best rates are found during the off-season and at other times when the Hotel tends to have empty rooms. Business Hotels in the downtown area will often have specials on the weekend when their customers are home. Resorts often have specials during the week.
Ask about weekly rates or weekend specials.
Ask about suites. The Hotel might have a suite available to meet your needs that would be less expensive than two separate rooms. Remember to check on the bathroom arrangement, you may find having only one bathroom too limiting.
Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and easiest way to compare many Hotels’ rates to find the best deals.
Check into booking your room through a consolidator, they buy large blocks of rooms and often will pass their large discounts on to the individual consumer.
You can check the national chain’s 800 number and also check with the Hotel directly, since one operator may be offering a special of which the other is unaware. ASK, if this is the best rate they have available.
Check into booking your vacation as a package. You might be able to save by booking your room along with a certain airline, rental car or attraction ticket package.
You can apply coupons, but read the coupons carefully for exceptions and their terms of use.
Apply any special discount programs for which you are eligible.

What do I need to know to find out which Hotel offers the best room for me?
This will depend on your particular needs, but you might use the questions below to guide your research.
Do they have the ability to childproof rooms?
Do they have any rooms available designed to assist the physically handicapped or elderly?
Do they have smoking or nonsmoking rooms available?
What types of bed sizes and arraignments are available?
Do they have special bathrooms with Roman tubs or whirlpool baths?
Are adjoining rooms available so everyone can stay together?
Do they have rooms designed for business travelers that have larger desks and data ports?
Do they have any rooms with kitchenettes? Make sure you get some details because a "Kitchenette" can vary from a wet-bar with just a sink all the way to a small complete kitchen with the pans and the silverware. You’ll probably pay extra for them so you’ll want to ask to know exactly what you’re getting. Can you book a room in a particular part of the Hotel?

Can hotels honor my special requests?
When making a reservation, don’t forget to make your special requests. It’s not a guarantee, but letting them know your special request up front helps them to find a room that will make you happy.
If smoke bothers you, most Hotels take requests for nonsmoking rooms.
Many Hotels will honor a request for a room in a certain location of the Hotel.
Many Hotels are adding business suites designed for the business traveler.
Some Hotels can childproof a room before you arrive.

Why is requesting a certain location for my room important?
Exterior rooms might be right next to a loud highway off-ramp.
Interior courtyard rooms often are more expensive with a poolside room, which can provide a nice view, but pools can also be noisy.
Rooms near restaurants, stairs, elevators, ice machine, and lobby are convenient, but put you closer to the noise. Also, avoid the noisy rooms above or next to the Hotel’s bar.
First floor rooms are easier to break into. Some rooms may be on floors that are too high for fire rescue to reach.
Rooms with balconies can be dangerous if you are traveling with small children. You might consider a first floor room, but you’ll have to take extra care when securing the room.

Will I have to pay an advance deposit to make a reservation?
may have to forfeit if you cancel or fail to show up. This is especially true during peak seasons of Hotel occupancy. Make sure you are familiar with the Hotel’s reservation and cancellation policy before you give them your credit card numbers.

Will I have to pay an advance deposit to make a reservation?
This is a great question and one you should ask Hotel in case you are delayed.
You should notify the Hotel if you are delayed so that they will still have a room available for you.
Check to see if they offer guaranteed reservations, so you’ll be sure to get a room.

What should I verify before I make my reservation?
Ask about any other groups or conventions that have booked the Hotel at the same time since any large group could effect your stay.
If you plan on taking advantage of some of the Hotel’s services such as shuttles, babysitting, free meals or recreational facilities, make sure those services will be available when you will need them. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and be surprised to find out that the shuttle service ended two hours ago.
If you are reserving a special room, make sure you know just what special really means. Is your "ocean view" room right on the beach, looking down on the ocean or can you just barely see the ocean if you look closely between several other buildings on a clear day.
Check the Hotel’s check-in and checkout time. Hotels have started to offer various time packages to accommodate the traveler’s needs.
Make sure you get the Hotel’s complete address and take it with you to get local directions.

What extra charges and fees should I ask about?
There can be charges, fees and extra taxes for everything. In some cases, the government’s percentage of your Hotel bill can be very high, so you’ll want to make sure you have budgeted for these items. Ask about any other extra charges if you think they will apply.
Parking, is there a charge and can you park your big RV in the lot?
Shuttle service.
Phone calls, local and long distance.
Extra people or beds.
Local surcharges and taxes

How will I get to the Hotel?
If you are flying in, find out where you are to meet the Hotel’s shuttle. Do they have a fixed meeting place or do you need to call someone once you arrive.
If they use a shuttle, find out how often it runs and its hours of operation. See if they will still be running the shuttle if you are delayed, you might need a 24-hour service.
If you are driving, get directions with the complete address and local phone number.

What if I get there and they don’t have a room for me?
Make sure that it is just not your particular type of room that is sold out, but that they don’t have any rooms at all. If they have more expensive suites available, ask to be upgraded for the same price.
If they have other locations in town, see if any of the other locations have rooms available.
Have them call around to check to see if they can find you a room at one of their competitors. If the price goes up ask that the Hotel pay the difference.
If no other rooms are available in town, call the reservation center and find out if their Hotel’s in nearby cities have any rooms. If you don’t have a car, see if they can shuttle you to that location.
Don’t give up. See if they will have any rooms available for you tomorrow.
If you did everything right and they don’t have a room for you, ask to be compensated.
Keep the receipts of any costs incurred because of their failure to have your room available.
This has obviously created a customer service issue, so you can also look for help in our Customer Service Issues section.

What should I verify at check-in?
Your room’s rate is the same as your reserved rate information.
Any extra charges for fees or services that can be placed on your bill.
All discounts and loyalty program credits will be applied to your bill.
Any special requests you made have been honored.
The Hotel’s scheduled times for services such as meals, cocktails, shuttles, pool hours, room service and front desk assistance. If any of these services are complimentary, check to see if you need to be issued any coupons or vouchers to use these services.
Confirm checkout time.

Is there any thing else I might need to pick up at check-in?
See if they have cards available with the Hotel’s name and address to share with those in your party. These will be especially helpful in getting you back to your Hotel if you are unfamiliar with the local area or language. It will also give you something to provide your children so they can find their way back, in case they get lost.

What should I do if I can’t make it out by checkout time?
If you don’t think you’ll make it out by checkout time, see if they have a grace period or other options available to you. Some Hotels will offer later checkout times as a convenience to their customers. Hotels can be more flexible about this service if you plan for it up front. You also need to be aware that there may be a charge involved for this service.

What should I know about Hotel security?
Some Hotel’s may be hesitant to give out specific details concerning their security precautions, fearing that information could be used to compromise their security. Still, if you are concerned about the Hotel’s security, doing the research and investigating the issues below will help to evaluate your choice of Hotel.
Is the Hotel located in an area with a high crime rate?
Do they have a 24-hour staff?
Do they have a security staff on site?
How many security cameras do they have on site?
Is the parking lot lighted, under camera surveillance, manned or gated?
Do the room doors have peepholes, chains, fliplocks and/or deadbolt locks?
Does the Hotel have interior or exterior corridors?
How are the Hotel’s corridors secured?
Does the Hotel have electronic keys?
Does the Hotel have a safe available for your use?
What are the limits on the safe’s use?
What are their policies if something is missing from their safe?
Can you get a written receipt for items left in the Hotel’s safe?

How can I protect my valuables while staying at the Hotel?
Keep an eye on your luggage both to and from your Hotel room.
Don’t leave your room key lying around the pool, beach or anywhere else. Some Hotels still put room numbers on keys and if someone grabs your key, they’ll know where to go. If you don’t want to get the key wet, see if you can leave it at the front desk. However, if you do leave the key at the front desk, make sure the Hotel checks I.D. before they give keys out. In this case, you’ll need to bring I.D. along or leave it with the key.
Don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy jewelry or displaying large amounts of cash.
Don’t leave a maid service tag on your door. It will announce to everyone that the room is empty. Instead, call the desk to let them know your room is ready for service.
Always keep all your room’s doors and windows locked and keep the curtains closed.
Leave the TV or radio on in your room. A small amount of noise can discourage a burglar.
Use the Hotel’s safe. Avoid leaving anything of value such as jewelry, traveler’s checks, credit cards or electronic items in your room. Never leave cash in your room.
If your room has one of those little room safes, make sure it is securely bolted down and the bolts are not visible on the outside. If the bolts are exposed they should be welded. If the safe isn’t securely bolted down, all you are doing is saving a thief the trouble of searching your room for valuables and providing a neat carrying package.

How much should I tip?
Tipping is appropriate for luggage handlers. A customary tip will be from $1.00 to $1.50 per bag if your luggage is brought to your room, less if it’s just unloaded at the front door.
Check your room service bill, it may already include a tip. If it doesn’t, 15%-20% is appropriate.
It is nice to leave housekeeping a tip with a note, if you don’t get to see them. $1.00-2.00 a night is appropriate, especially if they perform any special services or you leave the room particularly messy.

What should I do when I’m ready to check out and leave my room?
Search your room completely.
Open all the drawers.
Your bathrobe might be hiding behind the bathroom door.
Your shoes might be hiding under your bed.
Check your balcony for the swimsuits you left out there to dry.
Unroll the sheets and comforters.

What do I need to do at check out?
Watch your luggage.
Make sure you have removed all your items from the Hotel’s safe.
Turn in your room key.
Go over your bill thoroughly and verify that all the charges are correct and discounts are applied before you sign your bill.
Verify that the charges are being placed on the proper credit card.
Make sure your memberships in frequent flyer and loyalty clubs were given proper credit.
Get a receipt. If you paid in cash, make sure your receipt is marked "paid in cash".
Remember to tip the bellboys if they have brought down your luggage, the concierge if you took advantage of their services and the shuttle driver if you use the shuttle back to the airport

Thank's to www.centurytravelcentre.com for providing the above information. Happy travels!