Travel Tips: Lodging and Local Dining
- 13 years ago
Resources for Booking Luxury Travel - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats.
Hi, I am Jennifer Miner. I am a travel writer and I live in Southern California.
Finding Last Minute Deals.
Often times you see the rack rate on the website or in the newspaper advertisement for a hotel but if you call and you just ask, "are there any deals going on right now'"? Guess what, the answer will be "yes", more time its the not. There is often times some sort of deal or vacation package to be had that will save you money and perhaps also have you do something you would not ordinarily have done.
For example, if it is a romantic getaway package, two nights for the price of the one. Bam! romantic vacation. Are you a member of AAA? AAA is great! You call a hotel and you see if they have discounts for you. I never forget to do that.
Getting the Best Hotel Room.
Sometimes when you look online at hotels, they will describe rooms to you as "partial ocean view" or "garden view" and you have to realize, and you should know, that garden view may really mean parking lot view. Not so glamorous especially if you are in a beautiful area. So don't be afraid to call and ask the front desk what the rooms really look at.
When you get to your hotel, if it's a slow travel time, if it's a shoulder season, there maybe some better rooms that they would offer you for maybe just a $25 upgrade. It is often worth it. I would much rather have a suite with an ocean view than a tiny little one room with a view with a parking lot.
Local Dining.
People usually think that they should ask the concierge of the hotel or resort where they should eat. But what they don't know is that often times that concierge is in cahoots with the local restaurants or even hotel restaurant to try to funnel the tourist and keep the money in the business. I think that it might be better if you think about exploring the environment. See what is around you, see where the locals eat. If you want to take a chance and push your boundaries just a little bit, you might have a genuine dining experience in a different place and that will stick with you.
Hi, I am Jennifer Miner. I am a travel writer and I live in Southern California.
Finding Last Minute Deals.
Often times you see the rack rate on the website or in the newspaper advertisement for a hotel but if you call and you just ask, "are there any deals going on right now'"? Guess what, the answer will be "yes", more time its the not. There is often times some sort of deal or vacation package to be had that will save you money and perhaps also have you do something you would not ordinarily have done.
For example, if it is a romantic getaway package, two nights for the price of the one. Bam! romantic vacation. Are you a member of AAA? AAA is great! You call a hotel and you see if they have discounts for you. I never forget to do that.
Getting the Best Hotel Room.
Sometimes when you look online at hotels, they will describe rooms to you as "partial ocean view" or "garden view" and you have to realize, and you should know, that garden view may really mean parking lot view. Not so glamorous especially if you are in a beautiful area. So don't be afraid to call and ask the front desk what the rooms really look at.
When you get to your hotel, if it's a slow travel time, if it's a shoulder season, there maybe some better rooms that they would offer you for maybe just a $25 upgrade. It is often worth it. I would much rather have a suite with an ocean view than a tiny little one room with a view with a parking lot.
Local Dining.
People usually think that they should ask the concierge of the hotel or resort where they should eat. But what they don't know is that often times that concierge is in cahoots with the local restaurants or even hotel restaurant to try to funnel the tourist and keep the money in the business. I think that it might be better if you think about exploring the environment. See what is around you, see where the locals eat. If you want to take a chance and push your boundaries just a little bit, you might have a genuine dining experience in a different place and that will stick with you.