Leverage your corporate negotiated rate
First, look for hotels where your company or travel agent has a negotiated rate. Many hotels partner with travel agencies such as American Express Travel, Carlson-Wagonlit, Orbitz, and Expedia to obtain bulk-reduced rates with business-traveler-specific amenities such as complimentary internet access, gym access, and breakfast.  

Frequent Guest Program Amenities
Always join the hotel's frequent guest program.  In addition to being able to redeem points for free stays in the future, standard level members typically receive amenities such as complimentary newspapers, rooms with a view, or rooms on a higher floor (where it is safer and quieter).

Very frequent travelers, or elite members, often receive guaranteed room availability, complimentary space-available room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, access to the club lounge where you can enjoy complimentary appetizers, spirited drinks, and newspapers/magazines, and access to the business lounge where you can use workstations, printers, and fax machines.

Keep in mind that over the past few years, there has been significant consolidation in the hotel industry, so the hotel frequent traveler program may be under a different brand.  For instance, the Waldorf-Astoria is actually part of Hilton's HHonors program, and the St. Regis is part of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program.

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Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Some individual properties may have special programs for your company that are not loaded into the corporate reservation center. We recommend calling ahead of time, or enquiring with the front desk at check-in. Also, if you plan on staying at a specific property frequently or for an extended period, ask the hotel manager for extra benefits, such as guaranteed room upgrades, free movies, breakfast, fruit baskets, and weekend luggage storage. Often, hotel managers are more than happy to oblige for a guaranteed, repeat, or extended-stay customer.

Credit Card Amenities
If you have the option of not using your corporate negotiated rate, or corporate credit card, consider using credit cards with integrated travel benefits, such as the American Express Platinum Card.  

Hone in on the Best Deals
If you don’t have access to corporate or negotiated rates, look for the best deals you can get. Your best resource is the internet, where there are numerous websites that compare the prices of hotels and offer special deals. For instance, www.hotelscombined.com searches all hotel websites and puts together all the best deals for you to choose from. In addition, it would be worth your while to call the hotels to find out if they are running any specials. Considering the current economic situation and the downturn in room occupancy levels, a lot of hotels are offering special deals to attract clients and retain existing customers. In fact, it may even be worth haggling a little to take advantage of the fact that hotel reservation agents are eager to fill up empty rooms. Last-minute deals, if you choose to take the risk, are another good option since hotels that are feeling the pinch in the recession.

Never compromise personal security, safety or the basics
We recommend against staying in hotels where guest rooms have an entrance from outdoors.  Choose hotels with a lobby, at least one front desk attendant, and secure rooms. We also recommend staying on higher floors whenever possible, as this minimizes noise and the potential for non-guest break-ins.