When traveling with the family, you can still steer toward fun and economy by following a few simple budget-stretching suggestions:
• Save on Entertainment--Hotels that have in-room entertainment, such as on-demand movies, video games and DVDs for its guests, can help to reduce your entertainment costs.
• Look for hotels with pools and fitness centers. It's always a good idea when traveling with the kids to make sure the hotel you stay at has a pool and a fitness center. A dip in the pool after a hard day's drive or an afternoon seeing the sights is sure to give the kids a ripple of excitement. Fitness centers are a big plus for the grown-ups who also like to unwind with a workout and a sauna. Check out the schedule and you may find a yoga or Pilates class.
• Choose the road less traveled. Hotel rates can be substantially lower in the suburban parts of major cities than in the more tourist-oriented parts of town.
• Look for freebies. Family travel expert Eileen Ogintz reminds families that "Whether traveling for business or pleasure, folks are trying to save money while on the road. That's especially true when kids are part of the equation. One great option is an all-suite hotel like Homewood Suites where you not only have a lot more room, but a full kitchen, free hot breakfasts and afternoon snacks and free Internet (anyone who has traveled with tweens and teens lately knows how important that is)." Ogintz is the creator of www.takingthekids.com.
• Join the club. When you arrive at a hotel, check out its loyalty program. It's not only fun to be a member, but parents can rack up points while traveling for work and then enjoy them with the family later.
• Think local, not like a tourist. Good restaurants are fine for one evening, but on long vacations you have to know where the nearest park is, the best supermarkets and a nearby movie theater. And, room prices at hotels in the suburban parts of major cities tend to be substantially lower than in the tourist areas.
For more budget-friendly travel tips, visit www.suiteliving.com.
Credits: NAPSI Contributors