Hotels, Go Cheap or Splurge for Luxury

[myrdale]

In a couple of weeks, I'll be traveling to Ocala, FL for my open water scuba diving certification. The certification will be at two different locations over Saturday and Sunday. Being that it is the better part of a 6 hour drive from up here in Georgia, I've booked a hotel for Friday through Monday.

If we were talking about just a single night, I don't think I'd bat an eye at spending $250 or so for a room, but for considering this trip will be for multiple nights, the cost would add up fast.

The best deal I found was a Super 8 near the interstate for $85 a night. We have one local that looks decent so I figured I'd give them a try. The reviews are mixed and with reviews you're always going to get the worst side of the story. For example, there was one I read about the room not having hot water in the shower. Whats the worst that can happen? I go home smelling like river water right?

That said since I booked the hotel, I've received an unsolicited email from the hotel saying MY hot water has been fixed?!? How random is that? Now I am kind of worried, and a bit spooked.

Where do you fall on the spectrum? Do you mind a dirt bag hotel or do you prefer to pay for luxury. Do you draw a line between one night or multiple? So long as I don't get mugged, make it hope with all four tires, and no bed bugs i think I'm fine.

[bjl584]

I've done both.

Middle of the road is a good place to be for a short stay.
Super cheap places tend to be in areas where I worry about someone breaking into my car.
Super luxury places just don't seem to give me my money's worth for a quick in and out stay

[Fishindude77]

On fishing trips with the guys we sometimes stay at cheap dives and have always gotten along fine.
Haven't ran into bed bugs yet ...... knock on wood.

Location would be my chief concern. Handy to get to your training and someplace to eat within walking distance.

[ua_guy]

I've done it all.

I enjoy a nice luxury high-rise hotel when I'm staying in a downtown core. Deals can be had as long as there isn't a huge convention in town, but it's rarely ever cheap. Usually $200 or more per night and sometimes $40+ per day to park a car. It's OK to enjoy nice things if you can afford them.

When staying outside the city I gravitate towards newer and nicer, but slightly more frugal. Maybe a Holiday Inn Express just popped up, or a Hyatt Place, or a Best Western. The facilities are generally clean, and a vehicle is unlikely to get broken into. Quality of "free" breakfasts is typically better - decent coffee and real foods, although free food is rarely a selling point. Location is. As is "free" vehicle charging if we're in the EV, it's nice to top up if possible.

The 6's, 8's, or $69/night "suite" where you should bring your own sheets and, the local construction crew is tying one on next door.... I don't need to do that, but could if I had to. It's just not what I do these days.

[riverwed070707]

Agree with Fishindude that I'm more concerned with location than quality. After that, I always go cheap and often unconventional. If I don't have enough Marriott points for a free room, I'm usually looking for an airbnb or hostel rather than a low end hotel. Probably doesn't impact your decision, but I often travel as a solo female and I don't typically feel safe a motel/exterior entrance accommodation + I find the men at low end hotels intolerable. Usually construction crews or utility workers with no manners or regard for making women feel safe. But as long as I'm in a well populated area, I'll take savings any day - I don't travel to sit in the room!

[kork13]

I've largely gotten to the point that I stick with something in the Marriott/Hilton chains, because they're relatively known entities. At this point, I rarely/if ever would stay at a Super 8/Motel 6, for a variety of quality & safety/security reasons. Honestly, the big reasons is that I've found the lower-end motels tend to attract people who just come to smoke pot in their room over the weekend, and as mentioned, safety/security of myself & my car feels pretty much non-existent.

I generally look in the $100-$200/night range, also including AirBnB as options.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Every Monday I stay one night in Tijuana and you don't know cheap until pay $25 a night in TJ. Now that is cheap but you get what you pay for (ie, broken TV or no TV, rocking toilets, towels with holes, shower curtains with holes, no hot water, cockroaches, etc). But for $25 beggars can't be choosy and you can find a $79 nicer hotel for your swanky life style, lol.

[james.hendrickson]

Every Monday I stay one night in Tijuana and you don't know cheap until pay $25 a night in TJ. Now that is cheap but you get what you pay for (ie, broken TV or no TV, rocking toilets, towels with holes, shower curtains with holes, no hot water, cockroaches, etc). But for $25 beggars can't be choosy and you can find a $79 nicer hotel for your swanky life style, lol.

QMM - why not stay at home for free?

[EasyMoney00]

We personally never stay at motels anymore. And, we will gladly pay up for a nicer hotel.

Years ago we went to Disneyland. Booked a best western. Looked decent. When we arrived, we felt uneasy right off the bat. Went to room and it was dingy. Outside, construction everywhere, someone crashed a car in the parking lot and it just sat there, abandoned. We went back to the front desk, and checked right out immediately. Walked over to a massive Hilton nearby and booked our stay there. Couldn't have been happier, and more importantly, felt safe.

Pay up. You're probably spending $800 for your cert. You dropped a lot of coin on equipment. Don't cheap out on accomodations.

[QuarterMillionMan]

QMM - why not stay at home for free?

From Los Angeles to Tijuana is a 150 mile drive each way. When I get there I like to take a shower before and after visiting the gentlemen's clubs. I know this is a family site so I'll keep it as tame as possible. And after having intercourse with 2 women (separately, not at the same time but I never say never and maybe in the future), and after having a few drinks, I like to sleep it off before driving back home. So, there you go James why I stay the night in Tijuana. BTW, James if you'd like to have the time of your life meet me there one day and you'll be making the trip once month or more. I began going once a month, now I go every week. In the future, I want to move to San Diego or even move to maybe Ensenada or Rosarito beach in Mexico in the future. I live like a king while in Mexico where my dollars go very far.

[myrdale]

QMM - why not stay at home for free?

I suspect it is for the "night life".

[myrdale]

I've done it all.

I enjoy a nice luxury high-rise hotel when I'm staying in a downtown core. Deals can be had as long as there isn't a huge convention in town, but it's rarely ever cheap. Usually $200 or more per night and sometimes $40+ per day to park a car. It's OK to enjoy nice things if you can afford them.

When staying outside the city I gravitate towards newer and nicer, but slightly more frugal. Maybe a Holiday Inn Express just popped up, or a Hyatt Place, or a Best Western. The facilities are generally clean, and a vehicle is unlikely to get broken into. Quality of "free" breakfasts is typically better - decent coffee and real foods, although free food is rarely a selling point. Location is. As is "free" vehicle charging if we're in the EV, it's nice to top up if possible.

The 6's, 8's, or $69/night "suite" where you should bring your own sheets and, the local construction crew is tying one on next door.... I don't need to do that, but could if I had to. It's just not what I do these days.

When I travel for work, I usually shoot for the $150-$200 range (but that is on the company card). I'm usually there long enough to sleep. I have had great luck with Hyatt Place and Marriott.

I would agree the quality of the breakfast is what ultimately determines if I would be a repeat visitor.

[myrdale]

We personally never stay at motels anymore. And, we will gladly pay up for a nicer hotel.

Years ago we went to Disneyland. Booked a best western. Looked decent. When we arrived, we felt uneasy right off the bat. Went to room and it was dingy. Outside, construction everywhere, someone crashed a car in the parking lot and it just sat there, abandoned. We went back to the front desk, and checked right out immediately. Walked over to a massive Hilton nearby and booked our stay there. Couldn't have been happier, and more importantly, felt safe.

Pay up. You're probably spending $800 for your cert. You dropped a lot of coin on equipment. Don't cheap out on accomodations.

The course isn't quite that expensive, buy yeah you're in the ball park.

The cost of equipment is another reason I am looking to save as much as I can on travel. Looking at the range of prices, there is easily a $200 per night spread from the highest to the lowest in that general area. For three nights that's $600. Easily paying for any one of a couple of pieces of gear.

[james.hendrickson]

I suspect it is for the "night life".

Man, I'd just stay home and work.

[myrdale]

Man, I'd just stay home and work.

You and me both lol.