Save Money on Hotel and Other Accommodations

We can show you how to save money on hotel and condos - but it starts with deciding what kind of accommodations are right for your particular vacation.

What level of luxury and comfort are you expecting from your accommodations? Look for value, without compromising quality.

For a beach vacation, you might want to splurge on a more luxurious resort, but look for a condo where you prepare your own meals or an all-inclusive plan that can save money on meals.

For a city vacation with mostly sightseeing activities, a basic hotel with breakfast included might be a better choice.

Tips to Save Money on Hotels, Resorts and Condos

- Hotels.com has tons of deals on hotels all over the world. It's a great little search engine, with reviews and rankings from people who have stayed at the hotels listed. You can save money on hotel rooms and get the best room for your dollar! I use this one a lot!

- If you are using a travel booking engine (like Travelocity), book your flight and hotel together (you can add a car, too). Packages are usually a bit less expensive than the same flight, hotel and car booked separately.

- You can compare hotel rates from a variety of sources, from Travelocity to the hotel's own website, all at one time. www.TripMama.com is a meta-search engine that ensures you get the best price every time. Save time and money with TripMama!

- Save money on hotel expenses by not staying in a hotel at all! Condos can be money-savers for 4 or more travelers. They are generally not much more expensive than a hotel or resort, but offer more room. Although 4 people can sleep in a standard hotel room, it will be much more cramped than even a one-bedroom condo with sofabed. If you are tempted to get 2 rooms to accomodate 4 people comfortably, consider a one- or two-bedroom condo instead.

- Always check for discounts from organizations you may belong to. AAA, AARP, and the military can often garner a discount. Entertainment books also offer discounts for hotel chains, and if you purchase a book for your U.S. or Canadian destination, you'll get coupons for meals and attractions, too.

- Consider a budget chain, like Hampton Inn or La Quinta to save money on your hotel. I save my money for vacations in "paradise" - in Hawaii or Mexico, the resort I'm staying at is part of the destination. But for a city vacation, such as San Francisco or New Orleans, you can find good accommodations for less - and if you're spending the day sightseeing rather than lounging on a beach, do you need an expensive hotel? Many moderate and budget chains are upgrading their rooms and ammenities, too - you might not get room service, but a nice pool, exercise room, and continental breakfast are not unusual.

Hotel, condo and resort accommodations are available in a wide range of prices - shop around and check websites like Hotels.com when planning your next trip.

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