ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

6 Mistakes to Avoid While Booking a Hotel Stay

When planning a trip, one of the main factors to consider is accommodation. Be it domestic or international travel, you simply cannot skip booking a stay, even for short trips. With dozens of websites offering this facility online, the task may seem straightforward. Yet, people make a lot of errors while looking up hotels and making reservations. So, here are some hotel booking mistakes to avoid on your next trip:

Choosing the wrong location
Booking a hotel can be easy, but when you are considering a chain of hotels, there is a good chance of booking a stay at the wrong location. Big hotels may have multiple properties in major cities. So, looking up the hotel name and zeroing in on the cheapest room might not be enough. You should always crosscheck the location using the area code or a known nearby landmark. If you are driving, book a hotel with adequate parking. City hotels can be short on space and don’t offer onsite parking, so ensure your booking has this amenity. Also, choosing a lackluster location outside of the city to save money will cost you more traveling back and forth to accommodate sightseeing. Instead, pick a central location with malls, museums, restaurants, bars, and fun activities to explore around the hotel.

Not comparing hotels
Choosing the cheapest listing does not guarantee a good stay. You must check out all the amenities provided at the property. For example, your stay may come with a complimentary breakfast, free internet, gym access, and pool access, among other amenities. You need to check and confirm these facilities are included in the booking price. If not, you should ask about the charges for these services. Unless you book a premium suite, features like king size bed, refrigerator, and 24/7 food and beverage services are not a given. Some hotels allow you to bring pets, so look up pet-friendly discount hotels. Compare all deals available online to see everything you can get at the price. Top booking websites even offer filter options so you can select and compare rates and amenities simultaneously.

Overlooking rewards programs
If you travel often, then signing up for a loyalty program or rewards program can prove to be quite beneficial. By overlooking hotel rewards, you can miss out on a lot of deals and additional amenities. For example, the Marriot Bonvoy membership offers a free night stay perk where you pay for 4 nights but can stay 5 nights after redeeming this option. This feature is also available for Hilton Elite members under the Hilton Honors membership. There are several points and cash-in options that you can get with loyalty programs. Marriot Bonvoy also lets you redeem 3,500 points or as little as $55 for your next booking without waiting to cross a higher threshold. Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and IHG One rewards programs also feature a lower threshold for redeemable points.

Ignoring the fine print
Overlooking the terms and conditions and hotel policies is how most travelers find themselves in unprecedented situations. Every hotel will have a different policy for guests. Not reviewing the check-in and check-out rules and cancellation policy is a critical mistake. The cancellation and refund policy spells out the deadline for canceling your booking and if it will be refunded. In case you have to cancel the booking later, you might not get a refund if it is not a part of the hotel policy. Even if you are a frequent traveler holding membership or loyalty cards, you may not be able to claim refunds due to booking errors. So, spend a few minutes reading all the terms carefully before you book a stay. This is a crucial step, especially when you are booking a nonrefundable room to save money.

Booking a stay during the peak season
Getting a room can be extremely expensive during holidays and long weekends. Hotels make a lot of money by increasing room prices during this period. The hike is also triggered by excessive tourist influx and limited availability of rooms. Those who can travel halfway around the world to visit a popular destination will be willing to pay a lot of money to get a good room during the peak tourist season. This automatically drives up room prices, even at hotels that do not sponsor theme park activities. For example, if you are planning a trip to Orlando, you should book a stay between September and early October when the holidays haven’t begun. Orlando has several theme park attractions intended for children and travelers across the globe. Here, rooms will be cheaper in the off-season. The same applies to casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Encore Hotel is a popular pick for accommodations in Las Vegas, and its suites sell out quickly during the peak season. The best time to book Las Vegas hotels would be between the months of February and May when the weather is ideal, that is, if you don’t mind expensive stays. Alternatively, you can try booking a room during the off-season, as tourists generally avoid the hot climate and weather, making this the perfect opportunity to get affordable accommodation.

Not checking hotel reviews
Reviews will tell you everything that hotel managers and staff would not. Fellow travelers who post honest reviews of their stay are doing you a big favor by revealing what to expect during your stay. Even some of the best hotel chains and luxurious establishments can fall short of providing excellent services and amenities. When you are paying a lot of money for your stay, it is natural to expect top-notch service. So, spend some time reading reviews on websites like Booking.com or TripAdvisor. You can even check out travel vlogs where guests record and post about their experiences. Guests may even provide a checklist that you can use to make the most of your travel itinerary.

Popular Reads

Top 9 foods for managing macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the retina’s central portion (macula) deteriorates. The macula is responsible for recording images one sees before they are sent to the brain. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, usually affecting people over 65. However, the condition can also develop in younger individuals due to genetic factors. One could make better food choices to manage the symptoms of this condition and improve eye health. Salmon Adding fish like salmon to one’s meal plan may significantly help improve eye health. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and proteins—essential nutrients that encompass each cell in the body. Moreover, salmon is rich in a type of omega-3 fatty acid called DHA, which is commonly found in the retina and the brain. Other fish varieties that may help maintain eye health include sardines, anchovies, and mackerel. Broccoli Multiple types of leafy green vegetables, including broccoli, can provide the necessary nutrients to maintain eye health. One can also choose other healthy veggies, like bell peppers and Brussels sprouts, that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which help the body fight and prevent cellular damage. Carrots One of the carrot’s primary benefits for people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is its antioxidant called beta-carotene. The antioxidant is converted to vitamin A by the body and used by the rods and cones of the eyes to improve vision, especially when it comes to perceiving light and color. Pasture-raised eggs Eggs are another great food source that one should add to their daily meals. Pasture-raised eggs contain B12, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, zeaxanthin, lutein, and an amino acid called cysteine. Together, these nutrients are known to reduce the risk of AMD and cataracts. Zucchini Excessive exposure to UV and HEV rays may damage the retina and consequently increase one’s risk of developing macular degeneration.

Tips to prevent age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a degenerative condition that primarily affects people over 50. This disorder thins and deteriorates the macula, the area of the eye that produces the clearest, most detailed vision. Early detection and treatment can lower the chances of permanent vision loss. Simple lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising regularly, can significantly reduce the risk of AMD. Here are a few simple lifestyle modifications that can help prevent the condition. Lifestyle modification tips to prevent age-related macular degeneration Maintain a normal blood pressure level Hypertension promotes AMD by decreasing blood flow to the vascular layer of the eye, known as the choroid. The lack of oxygen in the eye accelerates the deterioration and increases the risk of wet AMD and central vision loss. It is preferable to keep blood pressure under control to avoid this situation. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding fried foods, eating well, and exercising regularly can all help keep blood pressure under control. Although this condition has nothing to do with weight, a body mass index of 30 can make it worse, so it is preferable to keep a low BMI. Consume more antioxidant-rich foods Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent or reduce free radical damage to cells. According to research, eating foods high in antioxidant content can slow the progression of macular degeneration in some people. Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, spinach, and mustard greens are high in antioxidants. Green peas, summer squash, pumpkin, broccoli, asparagus, and carrots are also rich in these essential nutrients. All of these foods are rich in carotenoids and flavonoids like anthocyanin, which are good for the body. Take supplements While food is a great source of nutrients, as we get older, our bodies might not be able to absorb all the nutrients we need to stay healthy.

Top laundry detergent brands and tips to consider

Every household uses laundry detergent regularly to take care of various cleaning tasks and to keep clothes clean, fresh, and odor-free after each wash. However, every detergent is unique and has multiple benefits and drawbacks. Some detergents can also cause allergies, so finding a detergent that meets all your needs while leaving your clothes soft and fluffy is essential. Here are a few highly efficient laundry detergents and their features to consider. Top laundry detergent brands Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Power PODS These pods are designed to effectively penetrate the fibers and the spaces between them. It dissolves and removes body oils and other unwanted substances that are invisible to the naked eye. In terms of cleaning effectiveness, it outperforms all other detergents. Even without using bleach, it makes white t-shirts and bedding whiter. These large Power Pods, which contain more cleaning agents than two regular pods, are an excellent choice for families who wash a lot of clothes on a regular basis. The only disadvantage is that the pods may be too large for light loads. ProClean + Stain Fighter Liquid Laundry Detergent When it comes to liquid detergents, Persil ProClean is an excellent choice. It works well to remove stains when used with cold water, and switching to a cold washing method can help save electricity. It effectively removes tough egg yolk stains and odors and works well in any water temperature. It has odor-removal technology that keeps clothes fresh and makes them smell great. This detergent is a good choice for people looking for an all-in-one product, as it works on all washer types, including high-efficiency (HE) models. It has a strong scent and might be pricey. Ultra Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent The Kirkland brand is an excellent choice for a hardworking detergent. When washed in cold water, it works best for polyester clothing and can remove difficult stains like tea from cotton and polyester garments.