1 Jan 2015

Should you travel off-season?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

I make a point of traveling off-season, as it helps to keep my hotel bills under $50/day. For example, I have gone to the beach in January and February. The weather was cooler - but, I didn't mind. You can put a sweatshirt one for hikes up and down the beach. And, although fewer shops and restaurants are open - there are usually enough shops and restaurants to satisfy all.

Traveling off-season also means a lack of crowds. A beach during prime time is filled with people - you hardly have space to spread your towel, and must constantly veer between all when walking the beach. Plus, the good restaurants, shops and sights are all very crowded - you have constant lines and waits.

There is one major downside to off-season/winter traveling, though: lack of day-light hours. I took a trip to England during Christmas many years ago. It was beautiful, but England gets dark by 4:30 pm in the winter, which leaves very few hours to really see the sights.

Read the full article here to get some tips about off-season travel.
The Pros and Cons of Off-Season Travel

Caution: 3-4 star hotels charge for WiFi

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

When you stay in a 2-star hotel, you get free WI-FI. However, the further up the "stars" you go, the higher chance that you will have to pay $30/day (and more) for WI-FI!

11 Dec 2014

Why don't more hotels have "convenience stores"?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Basically, as the company Airbnb expands to new cities around the world, the share economy is really taking their toll on regular hotels. Executives have figured a way around this with lend and lease programs all around the country with critical ads like “Forgot it?

9 Dec 2014

Do you take hotel shampoo, soap, etc? You aren't the only one.

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Many hotel guests admit to taking the mini hotel toiletries home with them when they checkout. Many guests find creative ways to use these toiletries once they return home. Many hotel guests report that they actually love the mini hotel toiletries and admit to liking them so much that they take them home.

9 Dec 2014

Is re-using your towel at a hotel helpting the planet - or profits?

Submitted by Wanderlust Andi

Many hotels use green energy marketing strategies which are designed to save the environment. Most hotel guests are not interested in the strategies that are used, such as reusing towels. Starwood Hotels has implemented a program that guests find useful which offers discount vouchers to customers who refuse room cleaning, which saves water and energy.