4 Strategies to save BIG on lodging including the BEST kept hotel secret
This is our VRBO Lakehouse in Northern Michigan, we love spending time here!
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.
Once you have chosen your destination, next you must decide where to stay. However, Lodging can be one of the most expensive parts of travel not to mention it can be quite overwhelming!
So where do you start? Well, it depends on the type of vacation you are taking and what is available locally. Are you going to the beach and looking for a hotel? Are you traveling to Disney and looking for a VRBO? Are you exploring a national park and know someone living nearby? There are many options wherever you go, the secret is getting the best deal on whatever you choose so you can keep money in your pocket for the fun stuff!
In this blog post I will share my strategies for each type of lodging that allow me to save the most money!
Free lodging is the best lodging
The best kept HOTEL Secret
How to rent a house
Being one with nature•
If you are struggling to find accommodations within your budget, you are not alone! This can be super tricky not to mention a huge drain on vacation funds! Read on to save yourself some cash on your next trip!
And depending on how you plan to get there, check out these blog posts:
We have stayed at many hotels in and around Disney, but most recently we splurged on Animal Kingdom Lodge and it did not disappoint! If your headed there, check out Doing Disney: How to get the most bang for your buck!
Free lodging is the best lodging
As you might have guessed, I LOVE to travel and will go about anywhere! So, when we began traveling with a family, we started slow. We decided that a good starting point would be to visit family and friends that lived out of town. When you secure free lodging you can save a bundle! Our first trip was to Denver to see my aunt and uncle, we went in the springtime, and it was gorgeous! We have also visited Alaska, Los Angeles, California, New York City, and upstate New York and used this strategy. We cheered on the horses and the UK Wildcats in Lexington, KY while visiting my sister, beached it in Ft. Myers, Florida with my parents, and drove to Minnesota to visit friends.
Another great benefit to staying with family or friends is that you have a built-in tour guide! We have had some incredible adventures using this method and it saves a ton of time planning! My favorite was when we visited my cousin in Alaska, he is a serious outdoorsman, and he took us on an overnight rafting adventure. We saw so much wildlife and it was perfectly serene!
The best kept HOTEL Secret
Hotels were a bit of a struggle with kids, as there is typically only one room, which is difficult if you have an infant. Not to mention once you have more than two kids you need two rooms, which doubles the cost.
As my husband began traveling for work more frequently, he decided to stick to one hotel and accrue points. He liked the Hilton Brand of hotels and so joined the Hilton Honors program! This program allotted us many free stays (pre-pandemic) as my husband was traveling often. Hilton also offers an American Express Card that will help you build up points for your stay! Apply here! Since travel had halted, we used up the last of our points, however, we found ourselves sticking with Hilton anyway. They have many suite hotels, which are perfect for a large family, and are very reasonably priced!
And are you ready for this!!!! If you are a member, and download the app, you get the cheapest rate! Recently we scored several suites for just over $100/night!!!! The app is so handy as it allows you to search a location and will populate a map with all the different hotels you can choose from. They are abundant and typically there are more than a few options in any given location.
We tend to choose Double Tree whenever possible. They are perfect for a family as there are usually two rooms separated by a door, you get warm cookies upon arrival, and they usually serve breakfast too! Just be sure to always check to make sure it is a suite hotel, we made that mistake before, oops!
How to rent a house
Renting a house is an awesome option for a family as typically you get more space and the convenience of a full kitchen, laundry and often multiple bathrooms!
Our first experience with renting was on a beach in North Carolina! It was lovely and was recommended by a friend. Our next was an apartment in Brooklyn that was not so hot. We have rented several since, some beautiful and some awful, so here is what you need to know about renting a vacation property:
Always try to use a property that has been recommended by someone who has been there! When that is not an option, make sure to read the reviews! Pictures are not always telling the whole truth.
Map the property in google maps so you can see the physical house and where it is situated.
Always remember, you get what you pay for, if a price is too good to be true, it probably is.
It is the worst feeling getting to your destination and not wanting to go in your rental! So do your research and pick the best property for your needs!
Just recently, we purchased a home in Gaylord, Michigan on an all sports lake. We have really enjoyed the summer there and are looking forward to skiing, ice skating and relaxing in the winter! WE rent through VRBO, if you are interested click the link at the top of this page! You won’t be disappointed!
My hubby and I on our annual adult only canoe/camping weekend. Yes, I sleep in a tent one weekend a year!
Being one with nature
Camping has exploded in the past few years, I am not an avid camper, but I do enjoy the occasional camping trip! We often crash Grandma and Grandpa’s Camper; they go often and have a travel trailer with all the necessities. So, it is far less packing for this mamma! If you do not own, or know someone who has a camper, renting from companies like Cruise America is also an option to investigate!
This can be a very cost-effective way to travel, not only is a camp site far cheaper than lodging, but you typically also can save money on food and have the convenience of everything you need with you. This is typically the best option for rural travel, to national, state and county parks.
If you are looking to reserve a site, keep in mind that they are booking as far as six months in advance. This can make it tricky, but if camping is your jam, the earlier you can book the better!
There are so many variables that go into deciding where you should stay. Hopefully this guide helps you decide what is best for your next trip and saves you money in the process!
Get the Free Easy Travel Planning Worksheet
Focus your attention on planning your next trip with this helpful tool!
We respect your privacy!
