How to get a bigger and nicer hotel room for less

I used to work in the front office of a Resort in Maldives. And I've learned a trick or two which I have been using since.

When booking for a hotel room, I always book the second lowest room category. Here's the reason. I always upgrade our room because I know that a room upgrade doesn't cost as much. Take for example our last mini getaway at Holiday Inn Penang. Originally I booked for a Beach Wing Hillview only for RM667nett. When we got to the hotel I asked if the Kid's Suite is available. Lucky for us it was available. I asked for an upgrade and we paid additional RM63 making the room RM730nett. But if I booked the Kid's suite directly, it would have cost us RM867nett. So this trick saved me RM137/night or RM274 for two night's stay!

So next time you book your hotel room, try booking a lower room category and if you still like to upgrade then you know it is cheaper. There's a possibility though that you might not be able to upgrade to a higher room category especially if it is a peak season. That's why I always book for the second lowest category. Even if I don't get an upgrade, at least I am not staying in the least category (hahaha, ang arte!!)