Howcast

How to Make the Most of Your Hotel Stay

Howcast — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:16:05 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Stay on a floor with a booster pump Ask the front desk to call engineering and find out which floors have booster pumps. Staying on a floor with booster pumps means you’ll have the best possible water pressure all day long.
Step 2: Get a renovated room Get a recently renovated room. Large hotels are always in the process of renovating rooms, a few at a time. Getting a room that was just remodeled could mean you get newer accommodations that are more stylish and more comfortable.
TIP: Make sure there aren’t still construction projects going on near the room that could disturb your stay.
Step 3: Get a room on the top floor Get a room on the top floor so you don’t have worry about noise from above. It’ll also have the best view, and the ceiling might be higher as well.
TIP: Corner rooms tend to be larger no matter which floor you’re on.
Step 4: Clean key items Request a fresh bedspread as soon as you arrive; most hotels don’t wash them at the end of every stay. Make sure to travel with antibacterial wipes and clean items that never, or rarely get sanitized like remotes, telephones, and clock radios.
Step 5: Replicate the mini-bar Make your own mini-bar. Bring mixed nuts, chocolate bars, mini bottles of liquor, and a few bags of chips so you won’t be tempted to pay outrageous hotel mini-bar fees. Not only will you be saving money, but your stash of goodies will be stocked exclusively with the treats you love.
Step 6: Set up an in-line dimmer Create a cozier environment with soft indirect lighting using in-line dimmers. Plug the lamps into a dimmer, and the dimmer into the wall; then use the slider to adjust the lights to your taste.
Step 7: Tip properly Tip the valet, doorman, bellhop, waiters, and housekeeping daily to get the highest level of service. Who knows, once word of your generosity gets around to the management, you may even get that killer room upgrade at no extra cost!
FACT: More than a billion travelers stay at hotels every year in the U.S.

You Will Need

Inquisitiveness
Knowledge
Antibacterial wipes
Snacks and drinks
In-line dimmer
Tip money

How to Get a Time-Share

Howcast — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:03:46 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Examine your motives Examine your motives for wanting a time-share. If you’re looking for a vacation spot that you can return to year after year—or trade for spots in other locations—this is for you. If you’re looking for a good investment, try something else.
Step 2: Examine your options Examine your options carefully. When you buy a time-share you can buy a fixed time in a fixed place; a floating arrangement, where the dates you use your time-share are flexible; or an arrangement where you can choose between different locations and times using points.
Step 3: Consider hotel time-shares If you buy a time-share affiliated with a large hotel chain, you know you’ll be getting a certain level of elegance, cleanliness, and reliability. This is almost like having an annual pre-paid hotel room.
TIP: Hotel time-shares also provide you with a large number of people to trade with and are often easier to sell, if you decide to do so.
Step 4: Talk with a salesperson If you’re visiting a hotel that has a time-share program, there’s often a time-share salesperson in the lobby. Hear what they have to say, but never buy without thinking about it for a day or two.
Step 5: Consider condominium time-shares If you aren’t interested in a share in a hotel chain, look at condominium time-shares with large networks. Again, this will provide you with a certain amount of reliability, as well as a larger group of people to trade with.
Step 6: Know the facts Know the facts before accepting a free vacation offer from a time-share company. Read the fine print: they will probably have age and income requirements; there might be an advance deposit that isn’t refundable under certain circumstances; and there might be hidden fees.
TIP: It’s always wise to see your time-share before buy it.
Step 7: Check blackouts Know what the policy on blackout dates is. Some time-shares will only be available to you at certain times of the year, so if you’re looking to vacation during a particular holiday, you’ll want to confirm that it will be possible before buying.
Step 8: Call the BBB Whether you’re planning to buy or planning to take a ‘free vacation,’ always call the local Better Business Bureau to see what sort of information they have about the time-share company.
Step 9: Read time-share laws Before buying, request a copy of local time-share laws from the resort, or from the local government. Make sure you understand them.
Step 10: Consider a time-share resale Consider buying a time-share resale from an owner. It’s usually a much cheaper option.
TIP: If you buy a resale, chances are you’ll have to pay in cash.
Step 11: Take the plunge If you’ve done all of your homework and have found the place for you, go ahead and take the time-share plunge. Bon voyage!
FACT: The first time-share surfaced in the 1960s—it was a ski resort in the French Alps.

You Will Need

Diligence
Money to invest

How to Find Cheap (or Free!) Places to Crash on Vacation

Howcast — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:32:59 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Network If you don’t know anyone in the area you plan to visit, send a mass email to friends and loved ones asking if they do, and if that person would let you crash on their couch. Or spread the word yourself using social-networking sites like Facebook.
TIP: Take advantage of websites devoted to connecting travelers with people willing to put them up for free, like “couchsurfing.com”:http://couchsurfing.com or “globalfreeloaders.com”:http://globalfreeloaders.com. Just remember, if you take this route, exercise caution.
Step 2: Do a home swap If you’d rather not stay with a stranger, or have one in your home, arrange an apartment or house swap so they’re in your place while you crash at theirs. Of course, this is easier if you live in or near a popular travel destination.
Step 3: Book rooms in hostels Book rooms in hostels. Contrary to popular belief, most accept visitors of all ages.
Step 4: Crash in a convent If you’re visiting Europe, check with tourism boards about inexpensive rooms to rent in convents and monasteries.
TIP: Italy boasts the most church-related accommodations.
Step 5: Go back to school Check with local universities; many rent their dorm rooms to travelers during the summer, no age limit involved.
Step 6: Catch some z’s on buses and trains Plan your itinerary around overnight bus and train trips to save the price of a hotel room.
Step 7: Be a pod person Be a pod person. Many major cities now have so-called pod hotels — places that rent a teeny room for a tiny price.
FACT: According to one survey, a complimentary breakfast is the most important amenity to travelers when picking a hotel, followed by a swimming pool.

You Will Need

Friends
Friends of friends
Hostels
Convents and monasteries
Universities that rent dorm rooms
A sleeping bag
Overnight bus and train rides
A pod hotel
Free lodging websites
A home to swap

How to Get a Hotel Upgrade

Howcast — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:34:14 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Before you book your room, check any credit card rewards program upgrades or other certificates that you have to see if you can get an upgrade that way.
Step 2: Decide what you want out of your upgrade. Would you like a larger room, an extra bed, a better view? It will probably be easier to get an extra bed than to move from a single room to the Presidential suite.
Step 3: When you check in, ask your clerk for an upgrade. If the hotel isn’t filled to capacity, he may be willing to do so in order to give the hotel a good name and lure you into becoming a regular customer.
TIP: The later you check in, the better your chances of getting an upgrade.
Step 4: Remember your manners. Be polite, friendly, and flexible. If you’re told there’s nothing available, accept it. The hotel doesn’t owe you an upgrade, and the more you act like it does, the less likely you are to get one.
TIP: If an employee has given you an upgrade, it is always a good idea to get his name and write a note to the management saying how wonderful he was.
Step 5: If the hotel doesn’t have an upgrade available for the full length of your stay, ask if it has one available for part of it.
TIP: If you’re visiting a hotel that has a loyalty program, join up. Even if you only visit that hotel—or another in the chain—once or twice, having a membership card will suggest that you’re a loyal customer, deserving of an upgrade.
Step 6: As a last ditch attempt, you can try greasing a few palms. Such behavior is typically frowned upon, but if you’re hell-bent on living in the lap of luxury, it’s worth a try.
FACT: According to Forbes, the Penthouse Suite at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes is one of the most expensive hotel rooms in the world, with a nightly rate of over $37,000.

You Will Need

Inquisitiveness
Good manners
Bribe money

How to Book the Best Hotel Room for Your Money

Howcast — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:47:11 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Before you begin looking, decide what your dream hotel room would be. Do you want a great view in a high rise, or would you prefer the ground floor of a cozier establishment? Do you need room service? A pool? A location in the middle of a city, or near the airport? What is your price range?
TIP: Join the loyalty program of any hotel you are considering.
Step 2: Check the web sites of hotels in the area for their advertised rates. Then go to travel web sites and check their hotel rates, which are often cheaper if you are booking a room well in advance. Typically, you should find rates that are at least 25 percent lower.
Step 3: If you find a few hotels you like and they all seem similar, check travel web sites to read customer feedback. Still undecided? Choose the newest or most recently renovated hotel – just make sure any renovations have been completed before your trip.
Step 4: Before you book online, call the hotel and speak to a reservations agent, who might be able to offer you an even better deal, especially if your dates are flexible.
TIP: If the hotel’s part of a chain, don’t bother with the toll-free number, which probably connects to a centralized call center rather than the particular location you’re interested in.
Step 5: Ask the representative for a discount or an upgrade, mentioning clubs or organizations you belong to that might entitle you to discounted rates.
Step 6: Consider the hotel’s amenities, and whether they might save you money. A rate that’s slightly higher than a competitor’s might be worth paying if the hotel includes an airport shuttle, wireless internet or a business center, or breakfast.
Step 7: If you’re unsatisfied with the offered rate, use your previous research. If you found a cheaper rate online from a competing hotel, mention it and ask if they’ll match it.
Step 8: Before you reserve, be clear on exactly how much the room will cost, including taxes and any other fees. Then, book away!
FACT: The Hotel del Coronado, near San Diego, Calif., has hosted 10 U.S. presidents, beginning in 1891 with Benjamin Harrison.

You Will Need

Time to research
A computer with internet access
A telephone
Inquisitiveness
Decisiveness