I'm curious as to when the concept of hotels/motels serving free breakfasts took hold. When I traveled as a kid with my folks on vacations, we usually stayed in Howard Johnson's or Holiday Inns and a free breakfast was unheard of.
I didn't do a lot of overnight traveling from 1983 until the last few years, now it's rare that a motel (even an inexpensive chain like Econo Lodge) doesn't at least have coffee and pastries. Most have doughnuts, cereal and toast or bagels as well, and a large number have hot breakfasts with sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy.
When did this practice take hold and why? Why did motels determine that they needed to start serving a morning meal? What prompted this?
I stayed at an Embassy Suites last year on business, and the hotel offered free cooked to order omelets with their breakfast sampling. Embassy Suites also offers a free cocktail hour in the late afternoon/early evening.
I've also seen self-serve Belgian waffles offers for the free hotel breakfast, but I've found that to be more common the further west I've gone.
Some independent motels are also offering at least coffee and pastries.
Some Holiday Inns did free Kid's Breakfasts at one time. Someone probably liked the idea and expanded upon it. I want to say Super 8 may have been one of the first, but I'm not 100 percent certain. Of course, breakfast at Super 8 varies greatly by location. Some have cereal, donuts & coffee, some have waffles. No two locations of ANY hotel seem to be the same.
As for the why, it was probably marketing... something no one else had to get you to stay... like internet access was 5-6 years ago.
Yeah. One of the more pleasant things about capitalism is that when someone ends up seriously making a killing by adding some new thing to their product/service, the competition is forced to add it too to catch up. Then it becomes a standard of service that you expect, and consumers become rightfully upset when they encounter somewhere that doesn't have it...
Oddly Vegas, even in the better hotels, don't seem to give you a voucher to go have a discounted breakfast in their restaurant.
I've been in a hotel in Thailand that had an egg chef to freshly cook you eggs how you want them as part of a buffet breakfast - now that's service.
Vegas hotels, for the most part, don't offer wi-fi either, do they?
After all, they want you down in the casino gambling instead of up in the room surfing sine salad pr0n.
I find it amusing that even in many inexpensive motels, like the $45 per night Quality Inn where I stayed in Morgantown last month, you get free wi-fi, but when I'm in one of the expensive joints in Loserville (Galt House, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) you have to pay $10 a day for wi-fi. I'm guessing that in those places, the majority of their traffic is business-related (like conventions) and individuals will put that on their expense accounts or travel vouchers and it's a source of cheap income for the hotels.
Breakfast isn't an essential item for me, but wi-fi (for the most part is) unless I'm in an area with 3G AT&T service. Then my jailbroken iPhone (with PdaNet) and/or my iPad (with MyWi) suffice.
I've noticed that Motel 6 now charges $2.99 for wifi in a lot of locations. As they tend to be about $2.99 cheaper than competition of similar quality, I don't particularly object.
Quote from: Dougtone on October 04, 2010, 08:42:52 PM
I've also seen self-serve Belgian waffles offers for the free hotel breakfast, but I've found that to be more common the further west I've gone.
Those are awesome. It's a shame that the majority of the hotels I've stayed in (all in the east) don't have that.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 05, 2010, 11:51:14 AM
I find it amusing that even in many inexpensive motels, like the $45 per night Quality Inn where I stayed in Morgantown last month, you get free wi-fi, but when I'm in one of the expensive joints in Loserville (Galt House, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) you have to pay $10 a day for wi-fi.
Just speculation, but perhaps some hotels pay more for a faster connection from the hotel to the internet (to be shared amongst all their rooms).
Though I'm sure most places that know they can get away with it, just do it for the $$$.
Quote from: Dougtone on October 04, 2010, 08:42:52 PM
I stayed at an Embassy Suites last year on business, and the hotel offered free cooked to order omelets with their breakfast sampling. Embassy Suites also offers a free cocktail hour in the late afternoon/early evening.
Homewood Suites also offer a free evening meal but only Monday thru Thursday. My recent stay was four nights Thursday-Sunday so I had to make other arrangements the other three nights. The breakfasts on the other hand were amazing. Each morning the cooked elements were different. The first morning it was bacon, second morning was sausage, third morning was burger, fourth morning was bacon. Maybe they work on a three day cycle. Whatever it was it's a nice touch doing something different each morning. Beside the cooked part there was also the usual stuff like yogurt, cereal, fruit, muffins etc. The yogurts also varied each day as the flavor was different each morning.
The availability of free breakfast is something that has really changed in the past 25 years or so. I remember on family vacations when I was growing up that we would almost always either eat at McDonald's or bring our own breakfast at motels. I remember maybe a couple that had free breakfast, and it was just the very basic-a doughnut and coffee. Now it's rare to find a place that doesn't have it.
I do occasionally find places that surprise me a little that don't have it and some that surprise me that do. I stayed at a Holiday Inn a few years ago that had no free breakfast-possibly due to the fact they had a restaurant on the premises. I also stayed at a Holiday Inn Select that did not have any free breakfast for the general public, but as the member of a wedding party staying at the hotel I got a voucher for a free breakfast buffet at the hotel's restaurant. On the other hand I stayed at an old, independent "mom and pop"-type establishment a few years ago that I never would have expected to have free breakfast but did. It wasn't much-just small cereal boxes and milk and orange juice the owner kept in a refrigerator behind the desk, but it was enough for me.
Quote from: huskeroadgeek on October 05, 2010, 09:44:30 PM
I do occasionally find places that surprise me a little that don't have it and some that surprise me that do. I stayed at a Holiday Inn a few years ago that had no free breakfast-possibly due to the fact they had a restaurant on the premises. I also stayed at a Holiday Inn Select that did not have any free breakfast for the general public, but as the member of a wedding party staying at the hotel I got a voucher for a free breakfast buffet at the hotel's restaurant.
I stayed at a Holiday Inn Select a few years back and got breakfast vouchers for being a Priority Club member (also one free drink per night at the bar ) ;)
Quote from: english si on October 05, 2010, 06:47:02 AM
Oddly Vegas, even in the better hotels, don't seem to give you a voucher to go have a discounted breakfast in their restaurant.
LV is a different market. Expensive wi-fi (to restrict your access to sports information, lest you get an edge), hard to get a newspaper (same reason), no free breakfast, and, in fact, no coffeemakers in the rooms (so you will get up and go gamble). Even in the best places have really poor TV (standard def, small number of channels, and a weird mix of unpopular channels leaving out ones that are pretty universal elsewhere), so you will get out of the room. It is all marketing.
Reminds me of a rather embarrassing moment years ago, when my dad, brother and I stopped for a night in Vegas during our tour of the West. The pay-per-view porn channel scrambled the video but not the audio. Flipping through the channels in our room was a bit awkward when we landed on one of them and could hear the audible sounds of pornographic sex but the visual was the classic wavy lines through the picture.
Quote from: Scott5114 on October 05, 2010, 02:49:33 AM
Yeah. One of the more pleasant things about capitalism is that when someone ends up seriously making a killing by adding some new thing to their product/service, the competition is forced to add it too to catch up. Then it becomes a standard of service that you expect, and consumers become rightfully upset when they encounter somewhere that doesn't have it...
I agree with Scott. The level of lodging and hospitality service has changed completely during my lifetime. My parents have been hotel owners/managers for more than a quarter-century owning a handful of different properties from a small mom-and-pop motel to a mid-size hotel to a share of a multi-story inn/suites. They have done hundreds of renovations and upgrades in their rooms and lobby over the past 28 years.
They realized their upgrades were absolutely vital just to stay competitive, like free light breakfast snacks in the lobby and coffee-makers in the rooms.
But it wasn't just breakfast. Over the decades, other upgrades included microwave, fridge, hair-drier, iron & board, WiFi, and flat-screen TVs in each room. And those are merely keeping up with the higher standards and staying in the customers' radar. Nowadays you'll be hard-pressed to find even mediocre motels without any of these things.
And now with the world even more connected than it ever has been, you see many hotels partnering up with other service. I've noticed that most of the Denny's have been located right next to a La Quinta property....maybe some kind of cooperation between the two might have been. Hotels also work with airports, theme parks, arenas/stadiums, gas stations, and what not, claiming to be the "official partner" of a larger, more established company.
I can't even imagine what the future will hold for the lodging industry. The answer will simply come from the next bright idea.
The hotels I stayed at during my New England road trip this weekend (in conjunction with the Rhode Island meet) were through the Choice Hotels chain. all had breakfasts (some with waffles, some with eggs and meet, some just straight cold. I swear some health nuts complained about the kids cereals at some places because all they served were grape nuts, corn flakes and Special K.
As for the high-end hotel chains - usually its salespeople or execs staying at those places - the ones who can get away with the extra payments (businesses have clamped down on extras). I never understood the need for charging extra but meeting rooms definitely will result in extra bandwidth used. plus look at all the employees being paid for (bellhops, room service, etc)
La Quinta Inn is pretty good with breakfast. They offer Belgian waffles, and hard boiled eggs, and cereal and whatnot. But the place I think is the best with breakfast, AmeriSuites, the [former] one on the Riverwalk in San Antonio was badass. It had like 6-4 waffle things, it had fruit, cereal, and all the other awesome things you could want for free at a hotel! Well the hotel itself was awesome. It has a perfect view of the Tower of the Americas and other stuff. It's awesome. But now it's a Hyatt, that makes it like #4 or 5 around the downtown area..
BigMatt
The more expensive the hotel, the less free stuff they throw in. Cheap motels (Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Select, etc.), usually free breakfast and wifi. Higher end hotels (Hilton/Doubletree, Hyatt, Crown Plaza, etc.), usually breakfast, wifi, and parking cost money unless you have status with the chain's reward program. I was at a Doubletree recently that even charged $3.99 per night if you locked the in-room safe! As absurd as it is, when I'm traveling for business (when I usually stay in hotels like that), I have no problem expending the wifi, parking, and such, so I guess it makes business sense for them. They target different markets than your typical Motel 6.
Quote from: realjd on October 11, 2010, 01:40:25 PM
...even charged $3.99 per night if you locked the in-room safe...
The worst ones are those that have a bottle of water in the room. It's something like $5 if you open it.
Quote from: realjd on October 11, 2010, 01:40:25 PM
As absurd as it is, when I'm traveling for business (when I usually stay in hotels like that), I have no problem expending the wifi, parking, and such, so I guess it makes business sense for them. They target different markets than your typical Motel 6.
First of all, many business travelers can expense these things, so the company pays for your parking and wifi (since they're often necessary expenses). Many people need a safe and can probably get that covered as well. As long as room service and room water stay within your daily food budget, you can expense those too. So for business-oriented hotels, makes perfect sense. But for high-end luxury resort type hotels, they really ought not to washington-and-lincoln you after you pay $400 a night for the experience.
Quote from: realjd on October 11, 2010, 01:40:25 PM
Cheap motels (Hampton Inn...
I'd hardly call Hampton Inn cheap. $99 a night is darned expensive to me.
I'm still getting used to the fact that you can't get a room for $17 anymore. Dang.
Quote from: realjd on October 11, 2010, 01:40:25 PM
The more expensive the hotel, the less free stuff they throw in. Cheap motels (Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Select, etc.), usually free breakfast and wifi. Higher end hotels (Hilton/Doubletree, Hyatt, Crown Plaza, etc.), usually breakfast, wifi, and parking cost money unless you have status with the chain's reward program. I was at a Doubletree recently that even charged $3.99 per night if you locked the in-room safe! As absurd as it is, when I'm traveling for business (when I usually stay in hotels like that), I have no problem expending the wifi, parking, and such, so I guess it makes business sense for them. They target different markets than your typical Motel 6.
Many hotels charge for the safe if you use it or not. I find myself arguing with the Front Desk in the morning over the safe charges (it's just a way for them to make an extra dollar).
Quote from: AlpsROADS on October 11, 2010, 08:16:34 PM
But for high-end luxury resort type hotels, they really ought not to washington-and-lincoln you after you pay $400 a night for the experience.
Yes. When I travel I would far rather pay a fair price for fair service than be "held up". Special dishonorable mention to places that have you "trapped" by geography, such a hotels located in big cities but away from the restaurant districts or any c-store type places to motel by an interstate where there is little else around, that hold you up with confiscatory rates for vending, "gift" shop items, and then in their restaurant and bar. Hotel mini-bars have always been a scam. I have also seen places that charge if you use the coffee makere, and those with the water bottles.
The newest deal I have seen relates to the newspaper. Lots of lower priced motels have a big stack of USA Todays free for the taking, but some hotels now have a deal where, in the fine print it says something like "I will be charged $1.50 to have the newspaper delivered to my door" and you have to check a box to delete this. I was in San Francisco and they delivered the New York Times. Why would anybody in California be interested in the New York Times?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 11, 2010, 09:56:56 PM
I'm still getting used to the fact that you can't get a room for $17 anymore. Dang.
Hell, it's hard to find a room for $29 anymore. The only ones I've seen recently are between Murfreesboro and Chattanooga. And, they are too close to home for me to worry about.
Quote from: mightyace on October 12, 2010, 09:51:42 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 11, 2010, 09:56:56 PM
I'm still getting used to the fact that you can't get a room for $17 anymore. Dang.
Hell, it's hard to find a room for $29 anymore.
While everyone wants to pay the least amount possible I dread to think what corners have to be cut to provide a decent level of service for $17/night. At least when paying $100/night I know I'm going to get somewhere that's clean and comfortable.
$17 was in 2006 in Gallup, NM. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the shower was warm. Didn't test the TV or the possibility of wireless.
Quote from: mightyace on October 12, 2010, 09:51:42 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 11, 2010, 09:56:56 PM
I'm still getting used to the fact that you can't get a room for $17 anymore. Dang.
Hell, it's hard to find a room for $29 anymore. The only ones I've seen recently are between Murfreesboro and Chattanooga. And, they are too close to home for me to worry about.
A couple of months ago, there was a Motel 6 in Phoenix along I-17 and Northern (I think) that was 29 dollars a night. I didn't stay there (I only live a few miles away), but I would drive past it coming home from visiting my mother.
Quote from: hm insulators on October 12, 2010, 03:18:42 PM
A couple of months ago, there was a Motel 6 in Phoenix along I-17 and Northern (I think) that was 29 dollars a night. I didn't stay there (I only live a few miles away), but I would drive past it coming home from visiting my mother.
That's cheap for Motel 6. Lately, they seem to average around 40 or more.
There's a Motel 6 just off I-70 near Columbus which is $37 + tax if booking online.
Another thing about North American accommodation - why don't prices include taxes? They do in the UK likewise with anything you buy in a store. The price you see is what you pay.
Quote from: Truvelo on October 12, 2010, 04:15:16 PM
Another thing about North American accommodation - why don't prices include taxes? They do in the UK likewise with anything you buy in a store. The price you see is what you pay.
just how business works here in the US. When I quote someone a price for a sign, I do not include shipping or tax, and add those on later, and no one blinks an eye. They know "299" when shipped to California will really be more like 336 and that is just that.
the cheapest I've seen Motel 6 in recent memory (March, I think) was $26.99. I just cannot for the life of me remember where, but I think it was in the midwest. Missouri?
There used to be a book at my local library listing "budget" motels in the US. The level they used to designate a "budget" motel was $40 or less per night(without tax). This book was printed about 10-15 years ago, I think. I wonder if a similar book today would use a higher cutoff level. It's difficult today to find very many motels for $40 per night. Motel 6 is the only chain I think where you can regularly find rooms for $40 or less, and many of them aren't even that low. As someone who tries to stay as cheaply as possible wherever I can, I'm happy if I can find a motel for under $50 a night.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 12, 2010, 04:22:38 PM
Quote from: Truvelo on October 12, 2010, 04:15:16 PM
Another thing about North American accommodation - why don't prices include taxes? They do in the UK likewise with anything you buy in a store. The price you see is what you pay.
just how business works here in the US. When I quote someone a price for a sign, I do not include shipping or tax, and add those on later, and no one blinks an eye. They know "299" when shipped to California will really be more like 336 and that is just that.
And, part of why it's done that way here is marketing. Businesses want to advertise the lowest price possible. That's why things like mobile phone bills and airline fares have "fees" added onto them. If it's a fee, then it's technically not part of the price.
Quote from: mightyace on October 12, 2010, 05:32:22 PM
And, part of why it's done that way here is marketing. Businesses want to advertise the lowest price possible. That's why things like mobile phone bills and airline fares have "fees" added onto them. If it's a fee, then it's technically not part of the price.
it's a real fine line between what's a "fee" and what's just the cost of doing business. If it can be neatly itemized away as something that does not benefit the buyer directly, and is not part of the seller's supply chain ... it's a fee.
sales tax - a fee.
9/11 regulatory commission shit on one's cell phone bill - a fee.
assorted highway sign parts - ahem, yeah that's part of the price, because that is what I'm selling you!
assembly cost of said parts - yep, again, enjoy the merchandise.
^^^^
Well, what I'm talking about are some things that are "fees" are IMHO are part of the cost of doing business.
For example, part of your total cost of an airline flight is a "landing fee" in addition to the fare. Uh, that's a cost of doing business. Making that a fee makes as much sense as Greyhound or UPS charging separately for tolls along a route.
Now, there's also luggage fees and food/drink charges, but that's more debatable.
Another example is the "fuel recovery charge" on my electric bill. Uh, if you are burning something to generate electricity, that's a part of doing business.
oh I never said these companies aren't dicks about it.
the worst, though, like I said, is that stupid 9/11 fee on my phone bill. Great, now I'm explicitly paying to be harassed at the airport.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 12, 2010, 07:35:46 PM
worst, though, like I said, is that stupid 9/11 fee on my phone bill. Great, now I'm explicitly paying to be harassed at the airport.
I think that is for the 911 emergency service. I remember seeing it on my phone bill long before 2001.
Quote from: mightyace on October 12, 2010, 07:42:22 PM
I think that is for the 911 emergency service. I remember seeing it on my phone bill long before 2001.
oh, I've only had a mobile phone since 2003. It's only like 46 cents a month, so I can't complain about the financial hit. I thought it was funded by general taxpayer money, though?
I suppose it is, but that is the fee for the cell phone company to be able to hook up to Podunk Corners, MT's 911 service if that's where you happen to be.
Strangely, rumor has it that an entirely disconnected off-plan cell phone that can't make any other calls can still call 911. If this is the case, I'd assume that situation is rare enough that the rest of us subsidize those calls on our plans.
Quote from: corco on October 13, 2010, 12:42:00 AM
Strangely, rumor has it that an entirely disconnected off-plan cell phone that can't make any other calls can still call 911. If this is the case, I'd assume that situation is rare enough that the rest of us subsidize those calls on our plans.
indeed, that is the rumor.
who the Hell carries around a disconnected cell phone??
Quote from: Truvelo on October 12, 2010, 04:15:16 PMAnother thing about North American accommodation - why don't prices include taxes? They do in the UK likewise with anything you buy in a store. The price you see is what you pay.
As Jake points out, it is simply the way business has been done in the US for decades, but I would also expect it to be controversial to legislate inclusion of taxes and fees in the sticker price the customer sees at the point of sale, for two reasons.
* There is a strong belief that you should know exactly how much the government takes off you in taxes, to act as a brake on the government enlarging itself unreasonably by imposing stealth taxes (a well-known problem in the UK under Gordon Brown's chancellorship).
* Unlike the case in the UK, where taxes are typically fixed for the entire country in national legislation and are revised from time to time through Finance Acts, multiple levels of jurisdiction have taxing powers. For instance, many states have county- and city-option sales taxes, which are frequently used to finance infrastructure--for example, Wichita has had an 0.5-cent sales tax increment since the mid-1980's to fund construction of the Kellogg freeway. Meanwhile, discounted prices for various goods and services tend to be advertised nationally or regionally, and it would make it more difficult to run promotions on that scale if local-option taxation for every district had to be taken into account in setting the advertised price. Unlike the case in the UK and other EU member states, there is no national sales tax in the USA, though from time to time there have been proposals to introduce one (usually very controversial and always shot down). In the US generally, you need to have a very good reason for raising the costs to business through regulatory action.
If I am wrong, I beg to be corrected, but it is my understanding that while Canada has a national Goods and Services Tax (GST) which operates similarly to European VAT, sticker prices shown in Canada are neat of GST and any applicable Provincial Sales Tax (PST), much as is the case in the USA.
I would say that there is more convergence between the US and Europe in how airline ticket prices are treated than is the case for other goods and services. It is true that American airlines tend not to advertise ticket prices with the taxes (airport landing fees, any applicable sales taxes, etc.) included, but then there is little consistency between European airlines in how those are treated in advertising. Ryanair has long advertised 1p flights--in other words, the base cost of the ticket is one penny, but that price does not include air passenger duty (which has been on a steep upward increase in the UK, because air passengers have replaced motorists as a favored target of the government) and other add-on charges. On the other hand, occasionally Ryanair advertises tickets at some low price (say £10) "with all government taxes included"--a mindfuck clearly designed to frustrate price comparison. With EasyJet, on the other hand, the advertised price includes APD.
My rough impression is that even with APD as high as it is in the UK, it is still lower than landing fees at many American airports, which tend to have more runways and to operate them less intensively than peer airports in the UK or Europe (e.g. London Gatwick has just one runway in regular use and 37 million PATMs annually, while Phoenix Sky Harbor has three and handles 39 million PATMs annually).
Quote from: J N Winkler on October 13, 2010, 03:49:52 AM
If I am wrong, I beg to be corrected, but it is my understanding that while Canada has a national Goods and Services Tax (GST) which operates similarly to European VAT, sticker prices shown in Canada are neat of GST and any applicable Provincial Sales Tax (PST), much as is the case in the USA.
Yes, prices in Canada also exclude tax. Last month when in British Columbia virtually every radio station was discussing replacing the taxes with a harmonized HST but that would involve taxing items that are presently tax-free such as food and clothing. It seems there's a fierce debate and it's not proving popular.
As for airlines, in the UK I generally find prices for full service carriers are fully inclusive. The big five American carriers UK websites also show fully inclusive prices whereas their US websites prices are plus tax. This confused me at first because the prices in $ and £ were almost the same so I naturally went to book through the US site only to find the reason for this was the US prices excluded tax :banghead:
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 13, 2010, 01:08:20 AM
indeed, that is the rumor.
who the Hell carries around a disconnected cell phone??
Supposedly, shelters for battered women have requested otherwise obsolete cell phones for just this purpose. The rationale being the woman can call 911 if the "man" in her life comes around again looking for revenge and it won't cost the woman or the shelter anything.
Quote from: mightyace on October 13, 2010, 09:49:22 AM
the "man" in her life comes around again looking for revenge
people have got too much damn time on their hands. :ded:
Quote from: hbelkins on October 11, 2010, 09:56:04 PM
I'd hardly call Hampton Inn cheap. $99 a night is darned expensive to me.
Well sure, $99 is expensive compared to a $35 Motel 6, but if you're in a market where the Hampton is priced at $99, the other comparable brands like Holiday Inn Express will be comparably priced, with next-level up brands like HGI being $120-ish. You're not going to find a $35 Motel 6 in a market like that. In places with $35 Motel 6's, in my experience Hampton Inn's will usually run $60-$75.
Quote from: US71 on October 11, 2010, 10:30:00 PM
Many hotels charge for the safe if you use it or not. I find myself arguing with the Front Desk in the morning over the safe charges (it's just a way for them to make an extra dollar).
It's funny - I travel extensively for work throughout the US, and that Doubletree was the only one I've ever been in where they charge for a safe.
A few other tips:
Get away from the interstate. There have been many times in my travels where places like Holiday Inn Express and Quality Suites are going for $100+, but 10 miles away nicer hotels like Hilton, Marriott, Embassy Suites, and Crowne Plaza are going for $80.
To get a really good feel for hotel rates in an area, find out the GSA per diem: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287 It's the maximum price for a hotel that government employees (and many company employees) are allowed to book when they travel without having to justify the cost. It tends to be a little low for non-government employees because we don't get gov rates, but it does give you a good idea for what a moderately-priced hotel should cost.
I don't think I've ever noticed a Hampton for under $130. But that is because when I am in the business of noticing the Hampton, then someone else is in the business of paying for it!
a good addendum to "get off the interstate" is to find the business loop or otherwise paralleling old US highway. Find a mom and pop motel with a neon billboard out front and you'll likely be getting some of the best prices in the area.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 14, 2010, 04:57:06 PM
I don't think I've ever noticed a Hampton for under $130. But that is because when I am in the business of noticing the Hampton, then someone else is in the business of paying for it!
In small towns, Hamptons can be found for down to below $70/night. I spend a lot a time in northwest Philly, where Hamptons run $110-120/night. Sometimes I find one for less than $100 in the area.
The Hampton I'll be staying at in a few weeks cost me $84 ($93 with taxes). That was a pre-payment price though. It's $99 + tax if you pay when you check in. Pre-paying is something worth considering if you want a better price. The same also applies to rental cars.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 14, 2010, 04:57:06 PM
a good addendum to "get off the interstate" is to find the business loop or otherwise paralleling old US highway. Find a mom and pop motel with a neon billboard out front and you'll likely be getting some of the best prices in the area.
I like to reserve in advance and know that I am going to have a room with the amenities I want. A lot of these mom-and-pop places don't have Web sites, not even rudimentary ones with a phone number to call, and many aren't reviewed on Trip Advisor so one can tell what kind of accommodations one is going to have.
Quote from: Truvelo on October 14, 2010, 06:24:26 PM
The Hampton I'll be staying at in a few weeks cost me $84 ($93 with taxes). That was a pre-payment price though. It's $99 + tax if you pay when you check in. Pre-paying is something worth considering if you want a better price. The same also applies to rental cars.
I'm hesitant to pre-pay. With me, a trip could fall a part the day before I'm scheduled to leave.
the only amenity I need is an internet connection. If I'm staying in a motel, as opposed to sleeping in car, the implication is I've got a backlog of email to catch up on that I punted from the mobile phone because it required some web research/thinking/quick sign design work/etc. I can always ask at the front desk if there is internet. If not, try the next place down the road...
an internet connection and some beer and I am all set to get things done!
Quote from: hbelkins on October 15, 2010, 02:49:35 PM
I'm hesitant to pre-pay. With me, a trip could fall a part the day before I'm scheduled to leave.
That's a risk I take although I always have travel insurance to fall back on should anything cancel my trip. The price difference between pre-pay and pay on site is enough to add up to quite a saving over several days.
I mainly prepay when booking for NASCAR race trips. I'm already on the hook for the tickets at that point anyway.
Quote from: Truvelo on October 15, 2010, 03:19:08 PM
That's a risk I take although I always have travel insurance to fall back on should anything cancel my trip. The price difference between pre-pay and pay on site is enough to add up to quite a saving over several days.
One thing to do for walk-up hotels is to ask specifically for the lowest available rate. Often hotels will have a rate quoted on a billboard or something, but you have to specifically ask for it. Walk up, ask the rate for a room, then ask if they have anything lower.
Also, at most rest areas in the US you can find hotel discount guides, often sorted by exit number. You can get good deals through those books. That's what I usually do if I don't have any reservations prearranged.
Quote from: realjd on October 15, 2010, 03:36:49 PM
Also, at most rest areas in the US you can find hotel discount guides, often sorted by exit number. You can get good deals through those books. That's what I usually do if I don't have any reservations prearranged.
Those coupon books are a crapshoot. Lots aren't good on weekends, the fine print says "limited availability" and a lot of the reviews I read on Trip Advisor indicate that motels aren't hesitant to say that they don't have any rooms available for that rate.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 16, 2010, 06:24:48 PM
Quote from: realjd on October 15, 2010, 03:36:49 PM
Also, at most rest areas in the US you can find hotel discount guides, often sorted by exit number. You can get good deals through those books. That's what I usually do if I don't have any reservations prearranged.
Those coupon books are a crapshoot. Lots aren't good on weekends, the fine print says "limited availability" and a lot of the reviews I read on Trip Advisor indicate that motels aren't hesitant to say that they don't have any rooms available for that rate.
That happened to me in Ottawa, Kansas this Summer. The hotel didn't have any more rooms for the published coupon rate, but had several for $5 more. It wasn't even worth the coupon rate: it was a crappy Travelodge. Looked nice on the outside, but inside was a fire trap.
[Fixed quoting. -S.]
My brother and I have generally have had good luck with the coupon books.
Part of the secret is to call them before you go there. Plus, we look them up on the internet.