Growing up my family took two vacations per year. My generous grandparents always sponsored one of our trips; otherwise there would have been no way our family of six could have gone very far twice a year. Vacations are a huge expense regardless of the size of your family. Think about it; in addition to the cost of transportation and lodging, you have to factor in the price of meals, snacks, beverages, souvenirs, tips, admission fees to attractions, etc.
Luckily there are ways to save on a family trip provided you plan in advance. In my previous blog I listed ways to save money on souvenirs and at local attractions. In this blog I provide ways you can save big at hotels.
HOTELS
Prior to booking a hotel room I look for those three magical words: “Kids Eat Free.” The family-friendly promotion is offered at Holiday Inn chains as well as select Marriott locations. You will be amazed at how much you can save by taking advantage of this deal.
Another tip: If you aren’t staying in a city where you can find a similar promotion consider looking for a hotel where standard rooms include a small refrigerator or a microwave. Our family has been able to save quite a bit of money by eating at least one meal in our hotel room (with food that I pre pack or buy at a local market), in which case these two appliances come in very handy.
An important note: There are many hotels that offer “Kids Stay Free” promotions where kids under 12 (or in some cases under 18) can stay in your room at no extra charge. But in most cases hotels don’t charge extra for children provided the number of kids does not exceed the sleeping capacity of the room (even then you could opt for a rollaway, for instance, if you have three kids and two double beds). Bottom line: “Kids Stay Free” promos really don’t amount to real savings if you have a small family. You are better off looking for “Kids Play Free” or “Kids Ski Free” deals offered at amenity-filled resorts. Getting a free lift ticket at a ski resort or admission to a waterpark is a far greater deal.
These days most hotels offer in-room DVD players. For about 10 bucks a pop you can rent a movie from the hotel’s DVD library and enjoy it in the comfort of your room. But I’ve found that in most cases you can save the $10 by bringing your own DVDs. Some hotels have wised up and started charging a small fee for the DVD use, but there are many properties that don’t care if you bring your own selections from home or run out to a local video store and rent movies for half of what the hotel is charging. You’ll save even more if you stay in a hotel that offers a microwave and a DVD—-instant movie night for a fraction of what it would cost if you took the entire family out for a night on the town.
Related Articles:
Ways to Save Money on Vacation
More Ways To Save Money On Vacation
Traveling With Young Children: Dos and Don’ts
Traveling With Children-Learn From My Mistakes
Flying with Children: Layover or Not?
Tips To Remember When Traveling With Children
Holiday Travel: Saving Money On The Way To Grandma’s House-Part 3
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money On The Way To Grandma’s House–Part 2
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