YOUR HOME AWAY 
Hotels are homes away from home. People booked 14% fewer hotel rooms in Virginia in June 2021 than they did in June 2019.
But occupancy rates are increasing as more options become available. You can stay in an extended stay hotel again. Yet you need to consider a few factors while you are looking for the right hotel to stay at.
What sorts of rooms should you consider? How can you save money? What are some things you can do to make this stay and future stays more comfortable?
Answer these questions and you can have a productive and easy stay at a Virginia hotel. Here are seven mistakes you should avoid.
Traveling for business does not mean you have to be uncomfortable. You should find a room that will allow you to sleep through the night.
Before you select a room to stay in, look at your hotel’s layout. Try to request a room away from major roadways and far away from the elevator. Upper floors tend to be quieter than lower floors as well.
But staying close to the elevator will make it easier to transport unwieldy bags. It will also make it easier for guests and hotel staff to find your room. Consider what will make you most comfortable and find the right location for you.
Many people don’t like looking for a hotel or booking a hotel. As such, they click on the first hotel they find on Google and book a room right away.
You should always look for customer reviews of various hotels. You can use sites like Yelp to see how the employees at individual hotels perform. You should also research prices to find affordable options.
The location of your hotel may be just as important as the location of your room. You have to find a hotel that is near clients and corporate headquarters. Try to find one that is near major roadways and public transportation for easy accessibility.
If you are planning a long stay in a location, you should consider an extended stay hotel over other kinds of hotels. Extended stay hotels tend to be more affordable and they offer a range of amenities. Businesspeople, retirees, and families can stay in one.
Most hotels ask that guests check out at noon and check in at 3:00 p.m. This schedule is not ideal for people on red-eye flights or who are traveling due to emergencies.
Yet hotels can accommodate people who need to break from the typical schedule. If you need to entertain clients in your room during the morning, you can request a late checkout. The key is to talk to the front desk and explain your situation to them.
If you are arriving at your hotel late, you can also give the front desk a call and explain your situation. They can hold your room for you until you arrive. You can also ask for an early check-in, though you may need to change the type of room you are staying in.
Many people looking to save money book their hotels through third-party websites. Yet a 2018 survey revealed that 23% of consumers experience being misled while doing so. Americans lost $5.7 billion through fraudulent booking transactions in 2018.
The best way you can avoid being scammed is to book through the hotel company’s website. Hotels also tend to prioritize customers who book through their websites for room upgrades and free perks.
Packages are good if you are traveling on last-second notice or during peak seasons. You can buy your hotel reservation, rental car, and airfare all at once. You will be able to save money and time by doing so.
But you need to be careful when you buy a package. You should read the fine print so you do not have to pay excessive fees. Figure out when you need to drop your rental car off and how you can get upgrades.
Most travelers know to pay for their hotel room with a credit card. But they then forget to pay for drinks and room service with their card.
You can pay for certain things with cash, and you should leave tips in cash for your room service professionals. But feel free to pay for room service and other things with your credit card. Doing so will let you earn credit card points.
If you are a frequent client of extended stay hotels, you should sign up for their rewards programs. The more you stay in a hotel, the more points you will earn.
Each rewards program is different. But most programs allow you to earn free nights and updates once you have been in the program for long enough.
You should try to commit to one line of hotels in particular. This lets you rack up points very quickly. You may also be able to build personal relationships with the staff at a particular hotel, which can make your stay more comfortable.
You must dodge some obstacles before staying at an extended stay hotel. Don’t pick the first room or hotel you see. Remember to adjust your check-in and checkout according to your needs.
Book through your hotel chain’s website so you avoid scams. Bundle your accommodations together when you are in a hurry.
Pay for your smaller things in cash while paying for your room with a credit card. Sign up for reward systems if you are travel frequently.
Don’t go far to find great extended stays. Affordable Corporate Suites offers eight locations in Virginia. Contact us today.