Vacation Question

[LivingAlmostLarge]

How much do people on average spend on a hotel a night? What star level? Is there a level you require?

What do people spend on camping fees? Until recently I never heard of camping at a resort where you pay like $50/night and extra for more than 2 people. And I never thought of camping as something you do where you go to a resort with activities like a pool, restaurant, etc. When we've gone before (ie before kids) it was $10 and we just hiked, set up a tent, and chilled in a cheap state park.

[disneysteve]

How much do people on average spend on a hotel a night? What star level? Is there a level you require?

And I never thought of camping as something you do where you go to a resort with activities like a pool, restaurant, etc.

As a frequent traveler, I can tell you that hotel rates have gone up significantly in recent years. Hotels that used to be maybe $79/night now routinely run $109 or so. $100/night used to be my mental cut-off but I find we are topping that limit more and more often. The $79 hotels just aren't out there anymore. Either that or the places still in that price range are places that we just aren't comfortable staying in anymore (exterior corridors, not the best clientele, etc.).

As for camping, we are not campers ourselves but I know that the whole industry has really been upscaled. People want all of the comforts of home - just look at the way new campers are equipped. Campgrounds have been forced to up their game to attract guests. Swimming pool, waterparks, wifi, better dining options, outdoor movies, etc. are just part of the experience of "roughing it" today. People are spoiled by cruises and other vacations and want the same even when camping.

[feh]

How much do people on average spend on a hotel a night? What star level? Is there a level you require?

Price will vary greatly based on location. I always go to priceline.com, hotels.com or tripadvisor.com to get a feel for price.

For a family vacation, our minimum star level is 3. Might go to 2.5 if the reviews are good.

[disneysteve]

I haven't taken the plunge and tried bidding on Priceline yet. If our daughter gets into her first choice college, I definitely will because I haven't found a moderately priced hotel in the area yet but there are plenty of options on Priceline.

As for star rating, I never really look at that. Typically, we stay at the budget option of a chain such as Fairfield Inn or Holiday Inn Express. We like places that include a nice breakfast buffet, have an exercise room and an indoor pool.

[riverwed070707]

I haven't taken the plunge and tried bidding on Priceline yet. If our daughter gets into her first choice college, I definitely will because I haven't found a moderately priced hotel in the area yet but there are plenty of options on Priceline.

As for star rating, I never really look at that. Typically, we stay at the budget option of a chain such as Fairfield Inn or Holiday Inn Express. We like places that include a nice breakfast buffet, have an exercise room and an indoor pool.

I agree. Star ratings are irrelevant. Some 4D hotels in Las Vegas are gross compared to the 2-3D hotels in my home state. I am a chain loyalist though -- Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn (some are iffy depending on location, but most have been renovated in recent years), SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inns are my go tos. I look more based on features (pool, free wifi, breakfast) and location than I do star rating. Truth is, when you splurge for a 4D or 5D hotel you don't just pay more for the room, all the extras cost too -- no free water, no free wifi, $20pp breakfast, no free parking, etc.

Best part for me is I get to stay in the nicer more expensive places for work and rack up the points and then when we go to a Courtyard for personal we always stay free

[feh]

I agree. Star ratings are irrelevant. Some 4D hotels in Las Vegas are gross compared to the 2-3D hotels in my home state. I am a chain loyalist though -- Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn (some are iffy depending on location, but most have been renovated in recent years), SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inns are my go tos. I look more based on features (pool, free wifi, breakfast) and location than I do star rating.

It's my experience that stars are based on features. For example, you won't find a pool in a hotel with less than 3 stars (of course there are some exceptions).

[JoeP]

We gravitate toward Fairfield or Hampton Inn. The amenities are generally nicer, and they tend to put them in locations that make sense to travelers (e.g. plenty of eateries and near major thoroughfares).

We used Priceline a couple times with success. One time we got put in a Holiday Inn Express which wasn't too bad; we only wanted one night.

[disneysteve]

Truth is, when you splurge for a 4D or 5D hotel you don't just pay more for the room, all the extras cost too -- no free water, no free wifi, $20pp breakfast, no free parking, etc.

This is one of those curiosities of life. The more costly the hotel, the fewer amenities you get. I can go to a $79 Sleep Inn or Comfort Inn and get free breakfast and free WiFi or I can go to a $200 Marriott or Hilton and be stuck with a $15.95 breakfast tab and $12/day for internet access.

[shaggy]

It's been a long time since I was able to get a hotel room for less than $129 a night.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Priceline works great. Use this website biddingfortravel.yuku and everyone lists the price, star level, and dates. Also they also write down the hotels in each star category that you are likely to get. I've found great deals all the time using priceline. I've been paying $70 but previously I never spent more than $50 and I traveled a lot.

[KTP]

We usually try to find a place around $100 a night. If I have the opportunity I will look for a bed and breakfast instead.

I miss Ireland (and Europe in general). It was so easy to book a bed and breakfast. Good food, no bed bugs. I try to look for that here but it is sometimes quite a bit harder to find places that will let you book for just one night.

[snafu]

When you have a Class A RV whose replacement value is around $150K you stay in $ 50. per night campgrounds with beautifully landscaped, park-like grounds whose amenities include swimming pool, hot pool, cable TV, WiFi, laundry, and a library.

We use Hotwire bookings and since we are flexible about location we pay half the rack rate or less. If you can tolerate the excitement of last minute booking you can call the hotel of choice and ask for a discount rate of their cheapest room. I don't live 5 star style nor do I choose 5 star hotels since it's merely a place to shower, sleep, and change. We're much more interested in seeking the sights, meeting locals, trying different experiences and participating in new cultures. When in SE Asia or OZ we don't do 'backpacker' level but find 3 star, locally owned, businessman's hotel to be the best option. When we are required to stay in major US owned chains, we might as well be in Minneapolis.

[disneysteve]

We use Hotwire bookings and since we are flexible about location

This is what often keeps me from doing Hotwire or Priceline. I want to know where I'm staying. Not necessarily what hotel but where it is located. If we are going somewhere like DC or Boston or NYC where we want to use public transportation, I want a hotel that is convenient to a station. If we are going to attend a particular event or see certain sights, I want a place located in the proper vicinity. When we are going for a college visit, I want to make sure we aren't terribly far from campus. Stuff like that. It isn't often that we're taking a trip where the location doesn't matter to me.

[Caoineag]

I have to admit, I am picky about hotels. Cheap detergent and I are mortal enemies and a lot of the cheaper hotels use the cheaper (stay up all night because my skin is on fire) detergents. Lately my hotel chain of choice has been Comfort Inn though there are a couple of other ones I will stay at as well. Generally don't breach $100 per night except for Saturday nights which are always expensive.

[FrugalSensei]

I find decent hotels in the $80-105 range but always opt for the ones that include a breakfast.

As for camping, I guess I'm old school because I too have always thought camping was a tent, and if you're lucky, a fire pit. Never heard of pools, restaurants and stuff except through KOA (Kampgrounds of America) and those were actually kind of trailer park-ish if you ask me. Mostly RV'ers. Anyway, I usually go to National Parks and it's usually $12-15 or so per night for a group of 1-6 people but that's without an RV and no electrical hook up - just good ole basic camping.