How to Get the Most Out Of Your Hotel Room

I’m headed to the Travel Goods Show again this year. Usually, I stay at one of our timeshare locations in Las Vegas, but they have moved it to Salt Lake City this year. I could still stay at a timeshare location, but it would be 30 miles away and I would have to rent a car, so instead, I used points to stay next to the convention center, saving me money for not having to get a rental car or pay for gas or parking. I’ll have to pay for an Uber to/from the airport, but that’s still much cheaper.

So, now I’m staying in a hotel, which is a bit less convenient than staying in a vacation rental, because I won’t have a kitchen or a separate bedroom. That’s okay though. Most of us need to stay in hotels. They’re everywhere you want to go, and usually cheaper than a vacation rental, especially if there is only one or two of you.

There are some ways to make the most out of a hotel room and the room rate:

Use the Extras

When you stay at a hotel, you’re paying for everything that’s available, from the gym to the parking. If you are looking for a deal, either look for a more budget hotel, or pick one that has extras that you’ll use and will save you money. My favorites are free breakfast, complimentary WiFi, laundry facilities, and free coffee in the lobby. 

Not only is my hotel in Salt Lake right across the street from the convention center, but it has free buffet breakfast, 24/7 coffee in the lobby, and close to a ton of restaurants. One example: If you like using a gym, having one in your building can save you time and money, so weigh the amount you’re paying against the value you’re actually getting. 

Staying Closer to the City Center

A lot of vacation rentals aren’t close to many things. You either have to take public transportation or rent a car to geet everywhere you want to go. On the other hand, you can find a hotel in your price range in whatever part of town you want to stay in or you’ll be doing most of your sightseeing in.

Enjoy More Security

As a solo traveler, I am a fan of feeling safe wherever I plan to stay. I never know what I’m going to get with a vacation rental (though most of our timeshare locations are either gated or need a room key to go anywhere in the elevator). Most hotels have cameras in the halls and the elevators and the lobby, plus the front desk clerk, generally, remembers you and keeps an eye out. You can even ask them to contact you and/or someone else if you don’t come back at a designated time. 

While rare, room break-ins happen, and if this is something you worry about, there are precautions you can take.

• Ask for a room above the ground floor, where the majority of break-ins happen.
• Use the dead bolt.
• Make sure you don’t have an adjoining room, therefore, eliminating a second point of entry.
• Bring your own security alarm. The Birdie door alarm is a great one, the doorstop alarm is very popular, the deadbolt lock doesn’t require a battery, and this baricade security bar can work in several different ways.

Choose a Room with More Amenities

The more things your room has, the more value you’re getting, especially if you use it. A mini-fridge saves you money, because you can go to the grocery store and pick up drinks and snacks (it’s mostly a cooler, not something to keep things cold enough to keep them from spoiling, like milk). I like that I can also bring back leftovers and save money that way. It helps if your room also has microwave to reheat those leftovers, but if not, it’s great for sandwiches and cold items.

You know I love coffee, and that means I will drink it at any time. Generally, I have a cup in the morning and then a cup around 8:30pm to wind down with a snack. Most places you can’t actually get an okay coffee in the evening, but if you can make your own, that saves you money and lets you chill out in your room longer. 

I also like to have separate seating areas, so a desk or an armchair are great to have. Complimentary toiletries can save you from packing shampoo, conditioner, and soap/body wash. I’m a big fan of the freebie makeup remover wipes, but I’ll except the special makeup towel. 

Ask for a Corner Room 

You may not be able to spring for a suite
over a standard room, but if you can swing a corner room, they have more square footage and usually more windows, so they feel even bigger and brighter. I have been lucky to get a corner room without asking specificially if one is available. Some even have a balcony that other rooms don’t have the luxury of, extending your room just a bit more.

How do you get the most value out of your hotel rooms?

Want to read more tips for traveling worldwide on a budget? Check out my blog at Shereen Travels Cheap or find me on Facebook or Twitter. You’ll also find product and website suggestions, packing tips, current deals and a whole lot more to help you travel better for less!