When you're going to stay in a hotel, you don't want to feel like you got ripped off. Having a bad hotel stay, because it cost too much or the rooms were dirty, can really spoil a trip. Don't let this happen to you, read this article and learn all you can.

To accommodate a small family without having to pay for more than one hotel room, look for a location that offers suites. Often the rates are competitive with single-room rates at other hotels, but the addition of a living area (and a fold-out bed) means that more of you can sleep comfortably.

To save money on a minibar or vending machine at a hotel, pack a cooler before you start out on your trip, and throw in some six-packs of soda or beer and a bottle of wine. When you get to the hotel, if you have a small fridge, you are all ready. If there isn't a blog post by Surfing Bali , use the ice machine and your cooler to keep things chilled.

Look into club-level rates. While these rooms are more expensive up front, they typically offer a great value. For example, included in the price could be breakfast or dessert, Wi-Fi service or other perks, like drinks and snacks. See what is offered and decide if the extra cost is worth it to you.

If you are out of the room for any length of time, protect the valuables you leave in the room. In addition to leaving expensive items in a safe, leave the television on when you are out of the room. That will make it look like you are still there and thieves will move on.

Read the reviews before choosing hotels that look less than top notch. Sure there are lots of hotels that don't look like the Four Seasons, and there are many that are plenty clean to stay in. There are others though that can be very dirty inside. Reading reviews can help you steer clear of the poorer lot of hotels out there.

Look for deals online. Sometimes, the person at the hotel desk might forget to mention a discount for booking online. So, it's up personally to you to go searching for such discounts. Check out websites like SniqueAway, Jetsetter, or RueLaLaTravel.

Part of trip planning is knowing what time check-in is at your hotel. Many people forget the time, then they show up early and the room isn't ready yet. If you anticipate arriving before check-in time, make a call to the hotel and inquire if you can arrive early.

To benefit from the best prices at hotels, start planning your trips several weeks or even months in advance. If you chose to book a month or even two ahead of your arrival date, you can get great discounts. You may save 50 percent or more.

Book any massage appointments you make early. Many of the top masseuses out there are booked far ahead of time.

Make location a top priority when it comes to searching for hotels. If you are going to be staying in a city and want to sight-see, it may not be wise to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away from all the action. Ask the hotel about attractions close by or look up their location on the Internet.

Call the hotel you are planning to stay in and see if they offer any discounts. Many hotels offer discounts for senior citizens, business travelers, military personnel and government officials. Additionally, if you are a member of an automobile association, you may qualify for a reduced rate on your hotel stay.

Vacation "green" if you are worried about the environment. Luckily, many hotels are around these days for you to choose from. Green certification is something some of the newly built hotels are quite proud of promoting. Many older hotels will still be environmentally aware by utilizing some eco-friendly practices. Ask around for hotels that are friendly to the environment.

In order to make sure you avoid hotel stays that are distasteful, follow the advice that has been provided to you here. Now you know exactly what to look out for. Your stay at a hotel should be relaxing and positive.