Tonight at 10pm ET/PT, Anthony Melchiorri returns for a third season of HOTEL IMPOSSIBLE, as he transforms struggling businesses into thriving hotels that live up to their potential. Tonight, he heads to Baltimore, MD, to give a makeover to the Abacrombie Inn. Once an award-winning bed and breakfast, the Abacrombie is now rife with spoiled food, crack vials and more dust than he's ever seen.
 

To get you ready for the new season -- and to help you with your last-minute, end-of-summer getaway -- Anthony shared his Top 8 Things Hotels Won't Tell You (But You Want to Know):

1. You might get a lower rate if you call: No matter where you find a rate online, always call the hotel directly for the best rate.  Ask for a supervisor and explain that you have found a rate online, but wondered if they could offer a lower rate.  Hotels pay commission to online booking sites, sometimes as much as 25 percent, so many will offer you a cheaper rate to book with them directly, if given the chance.

2. You can get an upgrade just by arriving early: Your chances of getting an upgrade increase if you arrive at the hotel earlier than required, when rooms are being prepped and inventoried for the day. If you get an accommodating desk agent, you just might be able to talk your way into a nicer room, provided that there are still open rooms.

3. Freebies are negotiable: While they might try to charge you for additional water bottles or Wi-Fi, you may be able to secure these basic amenities for free simply by requesting them in advance. Then review the bill at checkout to be sure you’ve been given what you were promised.

4. More stars don’t guarantee better service: You can — and should — expect great service, regardless of the star rating of your hotel.  The ratings indicate a difference in amenities, such as the size of room or number of outlets, not the quality of the service or the people who work there. The star rating from guests online is becoming more important than the official star rating system.  If AAA rates it four stars but guests rate it one star—no one is going.

5. You’re paying for location: Proximity to landmarks, city centers and airports will cost you. You can save simply by choosing a comparable hotel that’s a little off the beaten path.  This is a good way to save some money, but you might also discover a part of the city that you would not have seen otherwise.

6. You’re paying for their name, too: Try an independent boutique hotel instead of a big name chain. The majority of top-rated hotels in major destinations are not branded hotels, but local businesses. By choosing an independent hotel, you’ll also get more of the unique characteristics of the location.

7. You can almost always get children’s portions: If you’re traveling with children, check if the hotel offers children’s portions on the room service menu. If they don’t, simply ask them to make a child-size plate. Not only should they should accommodate you, but they’ll likely give you a discount as well.

8. You probably have a rotating staff of housekeepers: If you’re staying in the same hotel for more than one night, there’s no guarantee you will have the same housekeeper. Tip your housekeeper every day: $5 a day for three-star hotels; $10 a day for four stars and $20 a day for five stars.  The more stars, the more amenities, the larger the room (typically) and the more work for the housekeeper.

Don't forget to watch tonight's Season 3 premiere of HOTEL IMPOSSIBLE at 10pm ET/PT on Travel Channel. To get you ready for the unforgettable filth and disastrous rooms in the third season, check out this sneak peek: