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We consulted travel experts and real travelers to get their tips for making a long weekend holiday just as much fun — and just as satisfying — as a week-long vacation. The surprising thing? Our go-to advice for saving on hotels and airfare when on vacation could actually ruin your short trip.

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Mistake #1: Booking a hotel too far from the action

“I think this is the biggest mistake [that travelers make when planning short getaways],” says travel expert John E. DiScala of JohnnyJet.com, “It generally takes time to get to and from a city when you stay farther out, and you’re going to have to pay more for transport, too.” If you’re going to Disneyland for a short visit for example, he says, it’s worth paying extra to stay at a hotel right near the attractions.

The same goes for short city visits, too. “You could possibly save money by staying in Hoboken [New Jersey] if you go to New York and public transport into the city is not expensive,” he says, “But it will take more time — you have to factor that in and figure out if it’s worth it.”

So while, yes, saving money by staying a bit outside of town is usually smart advice, on short trips it’s a bad idea. After you do the math, chances are that even paying $50 more per night for a more centrally located hotel can end up being worth it for the time you’ll save.

Mistake #2: Checking a bag

Nothing is worse than arriving in Manchester, New Hampshire, and finding out that your bag is on its way to Manchester, England. It could take four days to get it back-meaning you’ll have it just in time to check it for your flight home.

With all the savvy packing tips out there, there’s usually no reason why you should check a suitcase for a short break.

“If it’s a warmer climate, it’s fairly easy to pack light,” says Mike Cooney of the Florida-based travel agency Cooney World Adventures. “But for colder climates you have the option of dressing in layers so you don’t have to pack as much in the actual bag itself.”

If you have sports equipment that must be checked (skis, a surfboard), consider shipping it ahead of time or, better yet, opt for rental gear instead. And checking a bag usually requires more time at the airport-instead you can spend more time seeing the sights and then head straight to security on the way home.

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Mistake #3: Trying to make the most of every second

Instead of rushing between Chelsea and Midtown — two neighborhoods in opposite parts of town — to see five different art exhibitions during a short trip to New York City, your time might better be spent really delving into just one or two spots during your stay.

Figure out your goals for the trip ahead of time, says DiScala, and then schedule your activities accordingly. “Some people want to see it all, and others will go to Paris for a weekend and just want to hang at one café and soak in the culture,” he says.

And be realistic about what you can actually see in just a couple days. In the end it all comes down to personal preference — think about what you’re looking to get out of your getaway and what you and your travel partners can sanely handle. After all, the last thing you want is to come back from your vacation feeling like you need a vacation.

Mistake #4: Booking a flight with multiple connections

The flights that float to the top when you’re looking for cheap airfare on sites like Orbitz or Expedia are usually the ones that involve switching planes at an airline’s hub. It’s a fine way to save some dollars — until you find yourself spending extra hours on layovers and facing potential delays.

“It’s worth it to pay extra to get the nonstop option, especially when you have a short amount of time in a place,” says DiScala, who logs more than 150,000 air miles per year, “If there’s a cancellation or weather delays in a hub city, there goes your vacation.”

It’s also worth avoiding destinations that require various forms of transportation to reach, such as islands only accessible by an infrequent ferry or resorts that require a private shuttle ride (especially one that doesn’t depart until other passengers have arrived).

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Mistake #5: Winging it

On a recent girls getaway with four friends to Miami Beach, Janet Malin of Tampa, Florida, found herself wishing she’d figured out her group’s dining logistics ahead of time.

“We got to the hotel and had a few drinks by the pool, and next thing we knew it was time to go out for dinner,” she recalls, “But we hadn’t booked a table anywhere and couldn’t decide on a place we all wanted to hit.”

The group ended up wandering aimlessly around South Beach before settling on a random place. Sure, it’s hard to predict weeks in advance if you (and your traveling companions) will be in the mood for Italian or if you’d rather have tapas on any given night, but reservations aren’t usually set in stone.

Research dining options ahead of time, or call your hotel’s concierge for recommendations after you book your room.

Mistake #6: Forgetting to prepare for a new time zone

Unlike some of the other tips on this list, the advice for dealing with jet lag on short vacations is the same as on longer getaways. “Anywhere you go, do everything possible to maintain the new time schedule you’re on,” advises Cooney. “If I’m flying to say San Francisco from the east coast, I would immediately go out after arriving at the hotel, walk around the city, have dinner, have a cup of coffee… the objective is to try and get on the new time zone as soon as possible.”

If it’s already nighttime in your destination when you step on the plane, pass on the in-flight meal and movie and pop in the earplugs for a snooze instead — that way you’ll be waking up with the locals, instead of feeling like it’s time to sleep when you touch down.

Plan lots of outdoor activities for your first day in a different time zone, too — the sunlight and fresh air will keep you energized. If there’s no avoiding a snooze, try to limit yourself to a 20-minute power nap.

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Mistake #7: Dressing for only one part of the day

Does anyone still wear fanny packs and those zip-off cargo pants anymore? We hope not. When your time is limited, avoid dressing like a tourist on urban exploration, which most likely requires heading back to the hotel to change for the evening. The key is smart layering.

For both men and women, a thin T-shirt with a cardigan or blazer is a good way to go in temperate climates. And for footwear, opt for comfortable leather shoes instead of the sneakers from your gym bag.

Plus, choosing clothes that you can wear all day and into the night makes packing a breeze, and diminishes the chance that you will have to check a bag (remember Mistake #2?).

Mistake #8: Mapping out where you are — once you get there

Unless you’re fine with just seeing where the wind blows you — and hey, we’re all for spontaneous travel at times — you’ll lose a lot of time on the ground if you don’t have at least an idea of the layout of your destination before you arrive.

If you are going international, grab cash from the ATM at the airport so you don’t have to search out a bank near your hotel. And make like grade school and do your homework: Study maps before you leave and figure out the best route to take from your hotel to the attractions and restaurants you plan to visit.

Pre-planning extends to knowing the physical location of the airport you fly into, too, as it relates to the city center, says Malin, who’s made the mistake of choosing a cheaper flight into a satellite airport that required more transit time to reach the city center.

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Because in-flight Internet relies on transmitting signals to the ground, intercontinental flights have yet to find a reliably cost-effective means of providing passengers with Wi-Fi service while over water. The main drawbacks are cost and the added weight of the equipment needed for satellite transmission.

Several airlines have plans to roll out transcontinental Internet service this year.

This month, Qantas is partnering with a company called OnAir to test satellite-based Internet service aboard flights from Australia to Los Angeles.

Japan’s JAL intends to roll out Internet service to passengers flying from Japan to Europe and North America this summer. United Airlines is reportedly exploring Internet service on international flights. Emirates Airlines says it plans to test satellite based internet service on its A380 double-deck, wide-body jets.

Meanwhile, nearly all U.S. airlines have announced plans to install Internet service and added amenities on domestic aircraft in recent years.

In-flight Internet service provider GoGo announced Wednesday that it has reached a deal to expand service aboard US Airways fleet of Airbus A319, A320 and Embraer 190 aircrafts.

Delta Airlines recently announced it was partnering with Amazon to provide passengers with free access to shop the online retail giant’s website onboard all of Delta and Delta Connection flights with in-flight Wi-Fi service.

First lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador to the United States, planted two Yoshino cherry trees, part of a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the United States.

One hundred years later, those two trees — still standing — and thousands more will be at the center of Washington’s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, starting March 20 and continuing through April 27.

Diplomats still honor the friendship symbolized by the gift of the cherry trees. At press conference Thursday, Kazuhide Ishikawa, the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan, emphasized his country’s commitment to “deepening our bond and friendship for another 100 years.”

Nature may cooperate with the festival schedule this year: A National Park Service official predicted the peak of the blossoming will be between March 24 and 31, when 70% of the buds will open. The buds usually last 10 to 14 days.

The Japanese traditionally celebrate the spring blossoming of the flowering cherry trees, and the Japanese government and citizens have made many gifts of cherry trees to welcoming cities around the world. Wherever cherry trees thrive and are beloved, look for cherry blossom festivals as an annual rite of spring. (Whether or not nature’s calendar will coincide with the festivals is always an unknown.)

Washington

The U.S. capital’s first festival was held in 1927 and lasted three days, featuring schoolchildren doing a tree-planting re-enactment. The event became two weeks long in 1994, and this year there will be five weeks of food, arts, cultural and outdoors events in honor of the 100th anniversary of the gift of the trees.

The Liaison Capitol Hill is offering room rates starting at $199 that include a commemorative cherry blossom branch (legally supplied by the hotel), a box of chocolates, picnic goodies and Metro passes. The hotel’s restaurant, Art and Soul, is owned by renowned chef Art Smith, known as personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and “Top Chef Masters”contestant. Other hotels around Washington and suburban Virginia and Maryland are offering cherry blossom and springtime package deals. Call (877) 44BLOOM (887-442-5666) or go online to book a reservation.

Brooklyn, New York

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which claims a more diverse collection of Japanese flowering cherries in one place than anywhere in the world outside Japan, celebrates cherry blossom season April 1-29. The four weeks of Hanami, the Japanese tradition of experiencing every moment of the cherry blossoming process, include weekend tours of the garden’s Japanese plant collections and specialty gardens, and a packed weekend of celebrations April 28-29.

San Francisco

San Francisco’s Japantown will host the 45th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, including food, culture, martial arts and music, on April 14-15 and April 21-22. The pageant to choose the Cherry Blossom Queen and her court will be held April 14. The festival will recognize the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Festival organizers will also pay tribute to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service, comprised mostly of Japanese Americans who fought in World War II. The 442nd (which absorbed the 100th in 1944) became the most highly decorated unit for its size and length of service.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Leave it to Vancouver to organize a Cherry Blossom Umbrella Flash Mob Dance on April 14, complete with a pink festival umbrella (if you register for the umbrella and a gift bundle costing $10). Details about the in-person rehearsal and an instructional video are online. The dance is but one part of the city’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, to be held April 5-28.

Vancouver, which has more than 40,000 cherry trees gracing its streets, officially welcomes spring with this month-long celebration of the cherry blossom. The festival includes dance, demonstrations by Japanese chefs, haiku, painting and outdoor events. The city began planting cherry trees in significant numbers in the early 1930s after the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama presented Vancouver with 500 Japanese cherry trees to honor Japanese Canadians who served in World War I.

Fukuoka, Japan

The most dedicated of cherry blossom lovers will head to Japan to celebrate the blossom as the Japanese do. Japan travel expert Duff Trimble lived in Fukuoka for three years and spent a lot of time running and biking in Maizuru Park and Ohori Park, where cherry trees blossom.

“The ruins of Fukuoka Castle had the more typical concentration of cherry trees on top of the ruins and was one of the most popular cherry blossom-viewing areas in Fukuoka,” says Trimble, whose Toronto-based Wabi-Sabi Japan runs custom-guided Japan adventures. “During the hanami (flower viewing) season, it was full of revelers celebrating the onset of spring. These hanami parties are always quite boisterous.”

Trimble would often continue from Maizuru Park into Ohori Park, which also had a number of cherry blossom trees in the spring. For lodging, Trimble recommends the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, the traditional Hotel Okura and With the Style, a boutique hotel.

CNN’s Stacey Samuel contributed to this report.

You can put me in a (clean) shoebox-size room, but if there’s even a glimpse of my beloved Chrysler building, the Eiffel Tower or the ocean (any ocean), I’m willing to pay extra. When it comes to hotel rooms, the definition of “best” is in the mind of the key holder. Here’s how to be sure that you’re getting the best possible room to suit your needs.

Define your preferences on size, view and location

Even when you know what you like, your idea of the perfect room could change depending on the purpose of your trip. If you’re working the entire time, having a spacious desk area may be a priority; but if you’re on a romantic escape, a spa tub and a private balcony might be on your must-have list. Write down your preferences before starting the reservation process. Once you start making calls, write down the name of everyone you speak to, especially if they promise you something specific.

“For some guests, size matters. The larger the accommodation, the better. Some people prefer accommodations on a high level of a building, while others think the best rooms in the house are on the first or second floor for easy and quick access,” says Preston Muller, of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.

Whether you’re staying at a high-rise boutique hotel in a busy city or at a sprawling beach resort with more than 1,300 different rooms, researching your choices online will clarify your options. But then, Muller says, pick up the phone.

“Book directly with the property whenever possible” and “be your own private investigator,” are two of his top tips. This six-year veteran of Sandestin’s Guest Services department says that when he travels, he takes an informal poll before booking a room.

“I call the on-site reservations team, the front desk and/or the concierge and ask for their opinion.”

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Be kind, and clear

Once you’ve arrived, be kind to the front desk staff. But do let them know right away if something isn’t right.

“You shouldn’t just be satisfied; you should be happy,” says Trang Phan, front office manager at the Affinia Dumont in New York. “And remember, a little friendliness goes a long way.”

Muller agrees, noting that “The Golden Rule” goes a long way in the hospitality industry. “Knowing what you want for your price range, plus kindness with the front desk agent are your best avenues” for getting a top-rate room, he says.

Ask specific questions

Your hotel investigation should include questions such as “Is the hotel renovated?” and “What events are happening during my stay?” If your goal is peace and quiet, you probably don’t want to stay on a floor that’s filled with wedding guests. Even if you feel you made yourself clear when the room was booked, your quest for the perfect room enters the next phase during check-in.

“Explain why you are traveling — good front desk staff will elicit this information from you, but be nice and participate — and ask if they have any flexibility or recommendations,” says Paul James of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and The Luxury Collection.

You never know what you might be missing by blindly accepting whatever key is handed to you without making a single inquiry.

“I know many hotels in Paris that have great Eiffel Tower views from quite ordinary rooms. What would you rather your beloved sees the next morning — an extra three feet of floor space, or a majestic view of the city’s icon?” says James.

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Be proactive about upgrading your experience

In other words, if something is included in the room rate, enjoy it! James warns that guests often overlook resources that wouldn’t cost them a dime more.

“Whether it is a butler service, stellar concierge team, or complimentary mini-bar items that can be pre-stocked, the hotels are offering all of these services to make your stay easier and more enjoyable. So often travelers are afraid to utilize these services and they can really make all of the difference,” says James.

Glenn Haussman of Hotel Interactive makes a living monitoring the hotel industry. He says many overlooked benefits are easy to get — all you have to do is ask.

“Ask for that resort fee to be removed. Ask if they have any coupons available for use on-site. You may get some free drinks or even a free meal,” says Haussman.

Personally, whenever I’m faced with a hotel charge for wi-fi, I ask about a discount. You may not always get the discounts or the freebies, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

A free drink may not sound like much, but if you’re a road warrior who spends more time in hotels than in your own home, those small items can make a big difference in your bottom line.

Using the gym or the pool, watching complimentary movies in your room or relaxing in the hotel’s outdoor Jacuzzi are all examples of maximizing your temporary surroundings. Taking part in an activity that may not be accessible at home can help you establish a fresh mindset for the vacation or work agenda at hand.

Some hotel programs allow you to add amenities to your room based on your personal taste or needs. For example, the “Forget it, We’ve got it” program at Kimpton Hotels provides guests with everything from flat irons to humidifiers to a clothing steamer.

This boutique hotel collection puts an emphasis on wellness, and in line with that concept, guests can also request yoga gear for use during their stay, free of charge. And if you’re feeling a little lonely on the road, call the front desk at any Kimpton property and a goldfish will be waiting for you in your room. Another perk alert: Travelers who join Kimpton’s loyalty program (free of charge) will get complimentary wi-fi and a $10 credit for their room mini-bar.

One word of caution: if you’re questioning whether an in-room amenity is free or not, make a quick call to the front desk. I once racked up a surprise $16 fee for bath salts that I thought were part of the room package at a spa hotel.

When it’s a celebratory stay, let the hotel know

Is your stay in honor of your ten-year wedding anniversary, or a girlfriend’s 40th birthday? As soon as possible, alert the hotel that you’re marking a milestone.

Even the night before is usually plenty of time for some TLC to be arranged. “Call and speak with a manager, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion,” says Phan. Flowers, hors d’oeuvres or a complimentary bottle of wine could show up in your room.

One Sandestin guest booked a surprise 21st birthday overnight stay for her younger brother. Upon their arrival “Happy Birthday” was printed on their keys for a keepsake and a personalized birthday card was waiting for him in his room.

When you find hotel paradise, record it

If a room makes you very happy, the best way to ensure a repeat performance is to write down the room number. Whip out your smartphone and take a photograph of the sign on the wall, or even the view from the window. That way you can provide your reservationist with that info the next time you call, whether it’s a week or a year later.

Even if the specific room you stayed in before is taken, they will have a reference for your preferences and can reserve accordingly.

The room I fell in love with in New York was at the Affinia Dumont on East 34th Street. After taking in the view one last time, I left the room and wistfully checked out. I was headed for the door when I ran back to the front desk with one final request.

“Please note in my file that for future reservations, if that exact room is ever available when I call, I want it.”

“Absolutely, Ms. Oswald, it’s duly noted,” said the front desk clerk. And just in case they forget, the number is listed in my phone, on my computer and I texted it to my travel agent. For that one hotel at least, my private investigation is over; case closed.