Any time you stay in a hotel, there are free things that you can at least ask to receive. In many cases, you will know about any additional service offered before you book but in some cases, they might come as a total surprise. The bottom line is that you will not know unless you ask, so it always pays to get this information once you arrive at the hotel. If the hotel is willing to provide you with some hotel extras while you are there, it is an added bonus to your stay and could turn a very average trip into something that you will remember forever.

The most common additional service that a hotel will offer is a free breakfast or lunch. In some cases, these meals can be found inside the hotel while in other cases, you might have to go elsewhere and have the hotel provide you with a voucher. Either way, this is money that you can save by simply asking if the hotel has this service available. Some hotels have these services, but do not tell their guests because it saves them money in the long run. Remember that if hotel extras were provided to all guests, they would not be extras any longer. Therefore, you must be proactive and uncover the extras that your hotel is offering if you want to take full advantage of your hotel stay. While not every hotel will have these features, it is worth asking if you do happen to find one that does.

Another of these free services that is quite common is a daily newspaper. Some hotels will drop off these newspapers on every doorstep in the morning, while others offer their guests the morning paper from the front desk. If a newspaper is an additional service, you might have to go down and ask for it, but many hotels will provide this free of charge to people who request it upfront. If you are the type of person who loves reading the newspaper in the morning, this additional service can definitely make your stay a more enjoyable one.

One of the hotel extras that is very important to people is whether or not they can make free local phone calls from their room. It can get very expensive using a credit card to make these calls or using an out of town cell phone, so free local calls are something that you should definitely look into. Make sure that you ask at the front desk about this extra before making any calls, as some hotels will charge you for every call and then bill it to your room at the end of your stay.  If this ever occurs, you could be in for a rude awakening when you check out of your room because your bill will be substantially higher than you would have otherwise expected.

Finally, many people look into whether or not their hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, as a free shuttle can save you a lot of money. This is one of those hotel extras that you will not find in many places, but is definitely worth taking advantage of if you ever do. Other hotels do not offer free shuttle service, but can arrange for an inexpensive shuttle to pick you up. This is also worth looking into because, in most cases, it is far less expensive than taking a cab. This is an additional service that many people will not travel without, so an increasing number of hotels now have deals with shuttle service companies.

All of these hotel extras depend entirely on the hotel’s policy, but it definitely does not hurt to ask what else they can offer you on arrival. If they do not have any of these extra features, it is nothing to be upset about, especially if they did not initially advertise them. If your hotel does offer this additional service, however, you should definitely take advantage of it because it can make your trip much more economical and easier on you… and, therefore, a much more enjoyable experience.  You could definitely be surprised if you ask someone at your hotel about these additional services because more often than not, a hotel will have something extra to give you. Whether you simply want to enjoy the newspaper in the morning or would like shuttle transfer services to and from the airport, simply ask at the front desk and see what they can do for you. Hotels are in this business to service you so if you truly want something extra, you will generally find that the hotel is more than happy to find a way to get it for you.

There is often a great deal of confusion about star ratings in hotels that can lead to people booking rooms that they find unacceptable. This confusion comes from not knowing what to expect when they book their hotel room, as different hotels have different levels and quality of amenities and service. The good news here is that hotels are rated by external independent sources, so you can usually believe what you see when a hotel rating is published. As long as you know what the stars mean, you can make an educated decision every time you book a hotel room.

A hotel with a one star rating means that it is a bare bones type of hotel with no special amenities and basic service. Do not expect anything like a pool, extra blankets, in room coffee pots, or continental breakfasts because these hotels simply do not cater for this type of service. These hotel rooms are generally very cheap, so if you are not worried about the lack of quality or services, you can usually find a decent one star hotel that will ensure your basic accommodation needs are taken care of.

A two star hotel is a step up because even though it is still very basic in nature, everything meets the basic needs of the person staying there. That means you can expect to receive a few extras like a coffee maker and extra pillows and blankets in your room. While this star rating is definitely not luxury, a two star hotel is a basic and comfortable accommodation level that would have all the essentials needed for a short one or two night stay. These are called value hotels because even though you will be taken care of, you can usually find a low price when staying at a two star hotel.

Three star hotels are where you start to move up into much more comfortable accommodation, as this is where most large chain hotels are categorized as in regards to star ratings. While most large chains have certain hotels that are above the three-star rating category, the vast majority of them have this level of amenities and service. Most travelers will be very comfortable in this type of accommodation because the rooms are clean, the service is generally very good, and there are many added conveniences that lower rated hotels definitely will not have available like a TV or air conditioning.

Four star properties are where you begin getting into upscale hotel rooms, as these are deluxe accommodations that offer a great deal of comfort. Of course, you can expect to pay quite a bit extra for this added quality, but it can be worth it because you can usually find good value in a four star hotel. There will be a wide variety of amenities available in these hotels, as four star hotels will usually include a nice restaurant, an in room mini-bar and room service which provides added convenience for guests who stay there.

Finally, five star hotels are traditionally the highest of the star ratings and, with the exception of the very few 5 plus star rated hotels around the globe, these hotels are considered by many as the absolute best on the market. You will receive the best service available anywhere and will definitely have access to all of the amenities that you can possibly imagine. This type of hotel is usually located in a new or very well maintained building, as most of the property should be state of the art. Five star hotels are the definition of luxury and, therefore, you can expect nothing but the very best every time you stay in one, no matter where in the world you are travelling.

Of course, the type of hotel you ultimately end up in will have a lot more to do with your budget than what you could possibly wish for.  And the higher the star rating of your hotel, the more money it will cost, so those on a tight budget should probably stick with the one-to-three star hotels. For those who like to travel in a little bit more comfort and luxury, four star hotels offer absolutely everything that you will ever need and can be very affordable. Five star hotels are truly something special and can break the bank if you are not careful. For example, if you take advantage of the room’s mini-bar, you might find that one drink or beer is three times the price of a the same drink at the local convenience store. Unless you are the type of person who always wants the best of everything, five star hotels are not necessary, but they do provide the very best in hotel service and amenities offered. No matter which of these star ratings you end up choosing, make sure that you are well aware of the fees and charges in advance.

One thing that everyone must realize is that hotels are a business and, therefore, if you are unsatisfied or unhappy with their services they will normally try to appease you to minimize any potential negative feedback and loss of business. However from time to time you may come across some badly managed hotels that lure unsuspecting guests with deals that are seemingly too good to be true. These hotels are not interested in future business from returning guests, they are only interested in the high-turnover of their rooms and they will rarely notice or care if one customer does not visit the hotel again.

As a result, these kinds of hotels have no remorse in these situations and will simply force people to stay in the accommodation that has been provided. They normally get away this is as well, since the majority of people don’t bother to fight with the hotel management and will merely accept their plight or pay for another room at another hotel.  What smart travelers do, however, is negotiate with hotel management once they have arrived in order to get everything that they were told they would get when making the booking.

One way that people are often misled is through the amenities that they are promised by their booking agent.  In some cases, the fine print might include some sort of disclaimer but, truth be told, most people who book a hotel room are led to believe that more will be available for them than what they actually receive. If you feel as though the hotel has been misrepresented, there are a number of things that you can do in order to get everything you feel you deserve.

The first thing that you should do is negotiate the terms of payment before you book. That way, you won’t be held responsible if the hotel doesn’t meet your particular needs. If you can get a list of the available amenities in writing from the hotel itself, or a booking agent, you will greatly improve your chances of gaining a much better deal. You might even be able to receive a discount when checking in if they are not able to provide you with everything you had originally agreed to pay for.

Another thing that many people do is contact their booking agent or travel insurance company if they are unable to renegotiate the terms of their stay. In many cases, they are able to speak directly with these hotels and work their way around any fine print that might be coming into play. Booking agents can threaten to stop booking that particular hotel, since it will look bad for them as well. And depending on your level of insurance cover, your travel insurance company may be able to pay or reimburse you for the cost of making another booking with a different hotel.

You can also take control of the situation by threatening to write a negative review on a popular travel review website like www.tripadvisor.com. While this might not seem like a big deal, your review could scare away other potential travelers, which will end up costing these hotels a lot of money. Use your ability to communicate with others to negotiate with these hotels because they should be responsible for everything that they promised when you were finalizing your booking. Hotels are helped out a great deal by these review sites because good service is usually rewarded by positive word of mouth and personal recommendations. At the same time, however, negative reviews can greatly impact a hotels business by discouraging people to book the hotel, and this negative word of mouth can spread like wild fire with the power of the internet.

Check out this video of a couple who vacationed to a hotel and were offered compensation for their disastrous experience

If you feel as though your hotel is ripping you off, don’t simply accept that this sort of thing happens because there are plenty of options and alternatives that you can take to get what you want and what you feel you ultimately deserve. The hotel business is driven by customers and guests just like you and if hotels are trying to take advantage of unsuspecting clients, you should do everything possible to ensure others don’t get caught out as well. One thing that will definitely help you out a lot is booking your hotels through an experienced agent, as these agents will know exactly how to deal with hotels that mislead their clients with fine print. These agents will be able to get to the bottom of the situation very quickly and should be able to negotiate with the hotel to give you everything that you were initially promised. Remember that hotels are run by humans and as such there is always room for error. But those who stand up for themselves are usually rewarded because the last thing a hotel wants is a major loss of business from a single guest.

There are countless places online that promise their guest’s cheap hotel deals, but these companies are not always being completely honest. Guests who don’t read the fine print could easily end up paying far more than they bargained for, which can quickly turn a great deal into a very ordinary and sour experience.  Because of this, it is essential that all hotel guests read the fine print before signing up for an online deal or special offer, as you simply never know what kind of catches these accommodation contracts could include. The cheapest advertised rate doesn’t always mean you end up paying the least amount of money, so make sure you are aware of every inclusion and exclusion contained in your special accommodation rate.

The first thing that you should always consider is where your room is located in proximity to other amenities such as dining room, the pool or even public amenities like shops and bus stops.  Many times, hotel guests end up with less than desirable rooms because of their location and the hotels are happy to flog these rooms off for low prices because no one really wants to stay in them. For example, if some construction is occurring in the area, it could lead to a very early wakeup call for an unsuspecting guest. Most guests would try to move to a different room if this occurs, but there may be certain circumstances that might prevent this from occurring - such as the hotel being fully booked. If you read the fine print or confirm (in writing with the hotel) if this is possible before you finalize your booking, you can avoid this kind of possible disaster.

In addition, some hotel rooms might not have their own private amenities like a bathroom - which means you will have to use a communal toilet and shower. These rooms are usually much cheaper, but the majority of hotel guests would rather pay for the convenience of having their own bathroom. If you want all of the amenities that you have become used to, it is best to review the inclusions of your booking and remember to always read the fine print in all of your cheap hotel deals.

Similarly, to make sure you get the best and the most from your cheap hotel vacation, you should always make sure that you are proactive and plan your trip ahead of time with your chosen hotels. For starters, you can read all about other peoples’ experiences by going to an online review site like www.tripadvisor.com. These review sites are usually run by a third party, so you won’t have to worry about bias creeping in, and they are written by actual hotel guests who have no reason to lie. That way, you can find out if these cheap hotels are really worth it, as someone else is sure to have accepted the same deal that you are contemplating. Take some time and thoroughly research the hotel and other quirks like the customs of the region you plan to visit. A little pre-planning and research could easily save you from any potential unwelcomed surprises that could turn your pleasant holiday into a disaster.  Have a look at this quirky video of a tourist who was held against their will because he was carrying a sleeping tablet to Dubai.

You don’t want this to happen to you - and with a little pre-planning you can greatly improve your chances of having a very enjoyable vacation.

Another thing that you should always do is ask for a list in writing of what is actually included within the hotel stay and price. Keep a copy of this as proof because the hotel will be bound by this list, as long as it comes from the hotel itself or the company that booked you on their behalf. Keeping this list on you at all times will prevent you from having to prove that you were promised certain amenities or services and by reading over the fine print thoroughly, you can also protect yourself from other things that might arise. One final thing to remember is that taxes might be included in some prices, but not in others. Therefore, if you find a price that appears to be much lower than the rest, make sure that all taxes and other fees and charges are fully disclosed to you before you book the room.

There are cheap hotel deals to be found all over the internet, but there are also companies that will try to take advantage of unsuspecting guests by misrepresenting the level and quality of their services or amenities. A good deal should include a room with all of the amenities that a hotel guest would expect, with the option to change rooms if need be. If a hotel deal does not give you everything that you need, then it is not a good deal and you should move onto a different hotel.