Staying at a luxury hotel is an unforgettable experience that most people don’t get to enjoy too often. So when you save up your pennies or pool together your credit card points to splurge on fancy accommodations, you want to make it count.
To help you get the most of out your stays at nice hotels, HuffPost asked industry experts and seasoned travelers for their advice on taking full advantage of the experience. From complimentary services and niche amenities to booking and check-in hacks, read on for 12 tips.
Let them know if you’re celebrating something.
“The teams at a hotel want to personalize your stay,” said Nate Ferguson, the director of marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore in Maryland. “Make sure to communicate any reason for the stay when booking so they can curate the best stay for you, whether it is for business or leisure.”
Take extra care to let them know if you’re visiting for a fun or festive reason, either by informing the desk at check-in or emailing beforehand. You might get a free upgrade or bottle of champagne.
“When you first arrive to your hotel of choice, you can often expect a special welcome amenity upon arrival, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary,” Ferguson explained. “The level of personalization might also include customized notes.”
Check in early and check out late.
“To make the most of a fancy hotel stay, try to check in as early as you can and check out as late as possible,” said travel expert and author La Carmina. “I like to request a later checkout, which they are often able to do for free. This way, you can take full advantage of the hotel’s facilities during your stay.”
And if you can’t get an early check-in, she also recommended arriving before your designated time to hand off your bags and then go hang out by the pool or bar area.
Take advantage of free food offerings.
“My friends and I are pros at making the most of the free food at luxury hotels,” La Carmina said. “Check if the hotel includes breakfast, or has cocktail hours or lounge access with small bites.”
She noted that she and her friends often arrange their schedules around the food events ― and sometimes take leftovers back to the room for later.
Other free food options at hotels might include complimentary snacks and drinks at the spa or frozen treats and small bites periodically offered by the pool.
Make use of the concierge service.
“Luxury hotels pride themselves…
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