Do you eat at the hotel or do you traipse through the lobby with grocery bags?
Jun 8th, 2003, 04:29 PM
#42
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HowardR,
I think another point that you may not realize is that some really nice hotels don't cost as much as you think anymore. Through sites like www.biddingfortravel.com, I have been able to stay at some wonderful properties for a fraction of the cost. I recently stayed at a Ritz for $55 per night in a major east coast city. I guess what I'm trying to say is that not everyone who stays at the upscale properties is paying a premium.
I think another point that you may not realize is that some really nice hotels don't cost as much as you think anymore. Through sites like www.biddingfortravel.com, I have been able to stay at some wonderful properties for a fraction of the cost. I recently stayed at a Ritz for $55 per night in a major east coast city. I guess what I'm trying to say is that not everyone who stays at the upscale properties is paying a premium.
Jun 8th, 2003, 06:22 PM
#44
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andrew, I don't know where you got the idea that I missed the point,since I did say if I had children with me I would look for a place that fit MY requirements.. but it really isn't important. And since we are "beating this issue to death"-let me get in my last little bit of beating.
A vacation for me is to not have to cook or clean or make beds or think about how much things cost. A hotel is picked to satisfy my and my husbands needs and wishes.
If there were children coming along, feeding them would be one of those issues.
So while I still enjoy traipsing, it is not through the lobby with a bag of groceries.
A vacation for me is to not have to cook or clean or make beds or think about how much things cost. A hotel is picked to satisfy my and my husbands needs and wishes.
If there were children coming along, feeding them would be one of those issues.
So while I still enjoy traipsing, it is not through the lobby with a bag of groceries.
Jun 8th, 2003, 06:26 PM
#45
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OliveOyl,
You are correct. I stayed at the DC/Dupont Circle Westin, which has just switched from being a Ritz. It has the same (in my opinion) amenities as most Ritz, simply because it was one. Sorry if you felt that I mislead you.
You are correct. I stayed at the DC/Dupont Circle Westin, which has just switched from being a Ritz. It has the same (in my opinion) amenities as most Ritz, simply because it was one. Sorry if you felt that I mislead you.
Jun 8th, 2003, 06:27 PM
#46
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OliveOyl beat me to that one!
What a joke.
Really nice hotels do not sell rooms on priceline.
You'll never see a Four Seasons (I can say with certainty), and if there's ever been a Ritz available it must have been one of the heavily underperforming ones scraping for cash.
Jun 8th, 2003, 11:23 PM
#48
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methinks, I thinks I was going to roll over laughin silly reading your original question until I realized what I had just pulled last year on Maui. I had rolled up into the valet of our 4-5* hotel, when I suddenly realized I had just before packed my trunk full of stuff (cases of Coronas, POG, chips, etc.) from the Costco near the airport. DAMN! I knew I should have self-parked for a reason. So imagine my mild embarrassment during check-in and afterwards while the porter was pulling all our stuff along-side us through the luxurious and expansive hotel grounds. But they were cool about it since they even brought up a mini-fridge for us later, which was complimentary and really welcomed!
I totally agree that just because you're going luxurious accomodations-wise doesn't mean you have to splurge all throughout your vacation as a result (honeymoons being the only possible exception). Saving a little here and there afforded me the opp to dine at some fancy digs without feeling I was leading us to financial collapse. I'm of the pragmatic mindset to try to save in a reasonable fashion so that I can afford a few splurges...which will allow this non trust-fund-baby to have many more in the future.
I totally agree that just because you're going luxurious accomodations-wise doesn't mean you have to splurge all throughout your vacation as a result (honeymoons being the only possible exception). Saving a little here and there afforded me the opp to dine at some fancy digs without feeling I was leading us to financial collapse. I'm of the pragmatic mindset to try to save in a reasonable fashion so that I can afford a few splurges...which will allow this non trust-fund-baby to have many more in the future.
Jun 8th, 2003, 11:46 PM
#49
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This thread makes me laugh. We are expatriates and travel is a major part of our life. We have stayed in all sorts of hotels from the not even a star category (at Mt Arafat) to the 5*. Each time we bring in groceries. Not to have a full sit down meal, but just to fill in as needed. With 3 teenagers, breakfast is eaten at different times. My husband & I get the one in the restaurant, and they get the cereal in the room when they decide to get up.
Most uneasy experience was when we were living in Egypt and were in Texas staying in a Marriott. We had to buy our supplies for the coming year and box them up. For 1 week, we carried in bags and bags of food, toiletries, etc. Even brought in 2 coolers of frozen meat! The people at the desk just kept staring with unbelief. The only thing more embarassing than that was being in the check-out line at Target with 2 baskets filled with a year's worth of stuff. Imagine a year's worth of say deoderant x 5 people.
Most uneasy experience was when we were living in Egypt and were in Texas staying in a Marriott. We had to buy our supplies for the coming year and box them up. For 1 week, we carried in bags and bags of food, toiletries, etc. Even brought in 2 coolers of frozen meat! The people at the desk just kept staring with unbelief. The only thing more embarassing than that was being in the check-out line at Target with 2 baskets filled with a year's worth of stuff. Imagine a year's worth of say deoderant x 5 people.
Jun 9th, 2003, 04:23 AM
#50
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For car trips, I've always got our 9-can cooler along -- and bring it into hotels -- and never feel strange about it. To me it's like another piece of luggage. I haven't carried bags of groceries in, but usually have a small bag of snacks like granola bars, nuts, chips. I've never given it a second thought ... I blend in.
Jun 9th, 2003, 04:59 AM
#51
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This thread seems to have turned into a posting for those who are proud that they carry groceries with them on vacation.
Why do so many people require so much food while staying in hotels? Seriously? A drink maybe, as methinks said-breakfast for small children.
Posts in the past were about people bringing their favorite pillow with them, now it is seems to be all about the food.
Why do so many people require so much food while staying in hotels? Seriously? A drink maybe, as methinks said-breakfast for small children.
Posts in the past were about people bringing their favorite pillow with them, now it is seems to be all about the food.
Jun 9th, 2003, 06:50 AM
#53
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GoTravel, I mean this in all sincerity, Why do you "schlepp" the cooler?
This seems to be a new trend, I have never seen people with coolers of food and drink going to their rooms in good hotels.
I think this is never done in Europe, is it?
Just curious, not at all meant in a critical way.
Jun 9th, 2003, 07:24 AM
#54
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It's not only the cost of the breakfast.
If you want to dress up, go downstairs, spend time at a table, eat a large breakfast, feel good in the luxury, then best wishes, enjoy it.
If you want to have juice and coffee in your pajamas watching the TV news, then that is your privilege.
Each to his own. Everyone's situation and wants are different, and should not be criticized.
If you want to dress up, go downstairs, spend time at a table, eat a large breakfast, feel good in the luxury, then best wishes, enjoy it.
If you want to have juice and coffee in your pajamas watching the TV news, then that is your privilege.
Each to his own. Everyone's situation and wants are different, and should not be criticized.
Jun 9th, 2003, 07:33 AM
#55
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We do it because I like a particular kind of Pinot Grigio and my husband enjoys a good scotch while getting ready to go out to dinner. We use the cooler because it flies best (checked luggage).
Also, we have both done some body building and in order to get ready for a show, we are on a very strict protein diet which has me eating six times a day.
Also, we have both done some body building and in order to get ready for a show, we are on a very strict protein diet which has me eating six times a day.
Jun 9th, 2003, 08:04 AM
#57
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I've never paid more than $300 for a room, and only more than $200 on a few occasions yet in the past few years I've stayed at:
Mauna Lani, Princeville, Kapalua Bay, Manele Bay, Sheraton Maui...
In Europe, Goldener Hirsch, Excelsior in Venice, Rome & Florence, Cala di Volpe, and Principe & Westin in Milan.
Through points and various deals, I've managed to stay at hotels I would NEVER stay at if I were paying going rates...BTW, we got great rooms in virtually all the properties.
I bring my own groceries for a couple reasons:
1. I travel with my 6 year old, and it's convenient to have snacks.
2. I refuse to pay mini bar prices. These exist for expense account travellers.
3. I like shopping at supermarkets/food emporiums around the world. And when I buy food, I get two benefits: A cheaper, sometimes better, meal. And I know that my purchase will not go to waste - I can't begin to list all the stuff I've bought on vacation that is in the closet, having been worn once.
Coachboy
Mauna Lani, Princeville, Kapalua Bay, Manele Bay, Sheraton Maui...
In Europe, Goldener Hirsch, Excelsior in Venice, Rome & Florence, Cala di Volpe, and Principe & Westin in Milan.
Through points and various deals, I've managed to stay at hotels I would NEVER stay at if I were paying going rates...BTW, we got great rooms in virtually all the properties.
I bring my own groceries for a couple reasons:
1. I travel with my 6 year old, and it's convenient to have snacks.
2. I refuse to pay mini bar prices. These exist for expense account travellers.
3. I like shopping at supermarkets/food emporiums around the world. And when I buy food, I get two benefits: A cheaper, sometimes better, meal. And I know that my purchase will not go to waste - I can't begin to list all the stuff I've bought on vacation that is in the closet, having been worn once.
Coachboy
