Staying at a hotel is always exciting and fun. They’re clean, have beautiful facilities, and provide you with a new personal space with endless options for fun. But despite what you might thing, you don’t have to overpay.

There are many tricks you can use to find the best room rates, or score a better / upgraded room during your stay. The following travel hacks will help you find the best hotel deals whether you’re staying at a luxury resort, bed and breakfast, or run-of-the-mill hotel or motel.

Tricks For Finding the Best Hotel Deals

Look into Business Hotels

Hotels that cater to business travelers often provide great deals, especially over summer months and on weekends when occupancy is low. They’re usually located very centrally in downtown or the CBD.

Guest amenities at business hotels may include complimentary newspapers, morning coffee, free local telephone calls, and you can guarantee they have high speed WiFi and quiet rooms. Most business travelers check out on Friday, leaving high occupancy and therefore cheap rates for Friday and Saturday nights.

Use Price Comparison Websites

There are price comparison websites for just about everything, accommodation included.

These sites save you money by comparing the best prices in their field and saving you the trouble of doing the research yourself. This is a great way to find the best hotel deals.

Ask for a Corner Room

When you make your reservation, make a note asking for corner room. These rooms typically get more square footage for the same price.

If you’re thinking of asking for an upgrade once you arrive at the hotel, make sure you’re discreet and avoid asking in front of other guests.

Checking in towards the end of the day may also help with upgrade requests since hotels have a better sense of occupancy by that point, and are more likely to offer upgrades that are still available.

Know the Full Cost

Even though you’ve found a great deal on the room rate, keep in mind that the base rate isn’t the only thing that will determine your total bill.

For instance, many hotels throughout Las Vegas charge a resort fee in addition to the room rate. Others charge for Wi-Fi, breakfast or use of the gym. In a city center, parking can cost $35 or more a day. In the United States, you are expected to tip for customer service.

Be sure to ask what taxes, resort fees, parking costs, energy surcharges, and other odds and ends will apply to your final tally. Some hotels have many hidden fees which will drive up the full cost of your bill – always read the fine print before you make your booking.

For that reason it can often be substantially cheaper to book into all-inclusive resorts which include the cost of your accommodation, food, activities, and resort fees.

Consider if Bigger Might be Better

If you’re traveling with a family or planning a longer stay, consider booking a bigger room. Yes, you often pay a premium rate for premium rooms, but even though multi bedroom suites or apartments are more expensive, they might actually end up saving you money.

Suites are larger, and they can sleep more guests – at some hotels, up to 8 guests in one suite. By booking a suite and splitting the cost instead of multiple standard rooms, you can get an upgraded room while saving up to 75% on your stay.

If you’re planning on a longer stay, consider whether paying for a room with a kitchen may save on food. Cooking your own meals is a lot cheaper than eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Consider Less Expensive Hotels

Ironically, less expensive hotels tend to provide more for less.

Amenities like breakfast, internet and local calls are often provided free of charge in cheaper hotels, while more expensive properties charge these privileges at a premium.

Book a Room at a New Property

Booking a room at a new hotel can often lead to lower rates, and you can snag cheap deals and upgrades on amazing accommodation which would normally cost double or triple the price.

This is because when a hotel is brand new, they will be looking to increase business and get the word out.

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.