<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Saving Money Archives - Magical Family Travel Guide</title>
	<atom:link href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/category/family-travel-tips/saving-money/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/category/family-travel-tips/saving-money/</link>
	<description>Making Family Vacations Magical</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:55:28 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	
	<item>
		<title>The Best Ways to Book Legoland Hotel: Tips and Tricks for Saving BIG</title>
		<link>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel</link>
					<comments>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[katie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:29:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Legoland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legoland]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/?p=145079</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When planning a trip to LEGOLAND, one of the most important decisions you&#8217;ll make is where to stay. Staying...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel/">The Best Ways to Book Legoland Hotel: Tips and Tricks for Saving BIG</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><em>When planning a trip to LEGOLAND, one of the most important decisions you&#8217;ll make is where to stay. Staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel can be a fantastic way to enhance your experience, but it&#8217;s important to know the best way to book to get the most out of your stay. In this article, we&#8217;ll share our top tips for booking the LEGOLAND Hotel to help you have a fun, stress-free vacation.</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-1024x768.jpg" alt="best ways to book legoland hotel" class="wp-image-145174" srcset="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-300x225.jpg 300w, https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-768x576.jpg 768w, https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4023-610x458.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Staying at one of the LEGOLAND hotels is one of the best ways to take your trip to LEGOLAND to the next level. </p>



<p>We&#8217;ve stayed at one of the one-site hotels several times now, and I can truthfully say I wouldn&#8217;t recommend it any other way. </p>



<p>With that said &#8211; at first glance, it can be expensive! We are always looking for ways to save on vacations, and when I first considered booking a LEGOLAND Hotel, it was so expensive. </p>



<p>Thankfully, there are some ways you can save, and in this post, we&#8217;ll share the best tips for booking a LEGOLAND hotel. </p>



<p><em>For the purposes of this post, I will be focusing specifically on LEGOLAND California and LEGOLAND Florida, as these are the locations we have personally been to. </em></p>



<p>Bottom Line: The best time to book the Legoland Hotel is during the off-peak season, midweek, and as early as possible. Keep an eye out for any special deals and promotions, and book at least six months in advance if you plan to visit during peak season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Watch for Deals</h2>



<p>On our most recent vacation to <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FAttraction_Review-g32171-d103404-Reviews-LEGOLAND_California-Carlsbad_California.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND California</a>, we scored an AMAZING deal for the LEGOLAND Hotel and our tickets &#8211; it was 50% off. When I had looked just a few weeks previous to the deal. This was a Black Friday deal, and they have different promotions available throughout the year. </p>



<p>This was available directly through the LEGOLAND website. I even tried to score the same deal through our friends at <a class="thirstylink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Get Away Today" href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/go/get-away-today/" data-shortcode="true">Get Away Today</a>, and it was still better to book directly through the website. </p>



<p>With that said, <a class="thirstylink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Get Away Today" href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/go/get-away-today/" data-shortcode="true">Get Away Today</a> usually has the most up-to-date deals and promotions &#8211; so you should definitely check with them. </p>



<p><em>If you can&#8217;t find a deal for the hotel, you can usually find kids&#8217; visit free tickets for LEGOLAND. These are typically available in LEGO-themed movies, certain food items, and you can often find them online as well. You CAN book the LEGOLAND hotel without buying tickets, so this may be something to consider. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Book Early</h2>



<p>It’s important to book your stay as early as possible. The LEGOLAND Hotel is a popular destination, and rooms can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. By booking early, you&#8217;ll have the best chance of securing the dates and room type you want. Additionally, booking early can often lead to better rates and deals, so it&#8217;s a win-win situation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Time to Book</h2>



<p>When it comes to booking the Legoland Hotel, timing is everything. We recommend booking your stay as early as possible to ensure availability and to take advantage of any early booking discounts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Off Season</h3>



<p>Generally, the best time to book is during the off-peak season, which is essentially non-summer months &#8211; and avoiding any major holidays or the spring break vacation. By booking during this time, you can avoid the crowds and get a better deal on your room.</p>



<p>We have had great luck going in January, October, and early November. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle of the Week</h3>



<p>The middle of the week is usually pretty empty, especially when school is in session. Even if you are going during peak season, I would suggest booking Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Many people will take trips over the weekend and may start them on Friday or flow over into Monday. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Peak Season Booking</h3>



<p>If you are planning to visit during peak season, such as the summer months or school holidays, I recommend booking at least 6 months in advance to secure your preferred room type and to avoid disappointment. Even when we’ve gone during peak season, the best rooms have been already booked. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Booking Directly with Legoland</h2>



<p>When it comes to booking a stay at Legoland Hotel, often the best way to do it is by booking directly with Legoland. Here are a few reasons why:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Guaranteed Best Price:</strong>&nbsp;When you book directly with Legoland, you can be sure that you are getting the best price available. Legoland offers a price match guarantee, so if you find a lower rate on another website, they will match it.</li>



<li><strong>Exclusive Offers and Packages:</strong>&nbsp;Legoland often offers exclusive deals and packages that are only available to those who book directly with them. These can include discounted rates, free breakfast, and even free tickets to the theme park.</li>



<li><strong>Flexibility:</strong>&nbsp;When you book directly with Legoland, you have more flexibility when it comes to making changes to your reservation. You can easily modify or cancel your reservation without any penalties or fees.</li>



<li><strong>Personalized Service:</strong>&nbsp;When you book directly with Legoland, you can expect personalized service from their team. They can answer any questions you have about your stay, help you plan your itinerary, and even make recommendations for local attractions and restaurants.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is the LEGOLAND Hotel Worth It? </h2>



<p>This is a question that deserves its own post &#8211; but the short answer is &#8211; absolutely! Our boys all LOVE staying at the hotel, and it makes a trip to LEGOLAND feel so much more worth it. </p>



<p>Some of the things we love about staying at the LEGOLAND resort hotels include: </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Free deluxe breakfast &#8211; seriously SO yummy! At LEGOLAND California it is buffet style and in Florida it is family style. There are tons of options &#8211; I was so surprised at some of the items they had some mornings at the buffet. We love this!</li>



<li>Super close to the park </li>



<li>Early access to the park</li>



<li>Fun surprises</li>



<li>Activities/shows</li>



<li>The Pool </li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What LEGOLAND Hotels are there? </h2>



<p>Both the Florida and <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FAttraction_Review-g32171-d103404-Reviews-LEGOLAND_California-Carlsbad_California.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">California locations</a> have two different resorts that you can stay at: </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g32171-d13422844-Reviews-LEGOLAND_Castle_Hotel-Carlsbad_California.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND Castle Hotel (California)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g32171-d3595698-Reviews-LEGOLAND_California_Hotel-Carlsbad_California.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND California Hotel</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g34746-d19270727-Reviews-LEGOLAND_Pirate_Island_Hotel_Florida-Winter_Haven_Florida.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel</a> (Florida)</li>



<li><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g34746-d7176594-Reviews-Legoland_Hotel-Winter_Haven_Florida.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND Hotel</a> (Florida)</li>



<li><a href="https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100656596-11552042?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g34746-d12287233-Reviews-LEGOLANDR_Beach_Retreat-Winter_Haven_Florida.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">LEGOLAND Beach Resort</a> (Florida)</li>
</ul>



<p>Booking a room at any of the LEGOLAND resort hotels is a great opportunity to make your vacation even more fun. By following a few of the tips we mentioned above, you are sure to find a great deal. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or additional suggestions!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Articles You May Enjoy: </h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/legoland-or-disneyland/">Legoland or Disneyland: Which is Better for Families?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/legoland-rides-for-toddlers/">The Best Legoland Rides for Toddlers in Florida and California</a></li>



<li><a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/legoland-california-tips/">LEGOLAND California Tips: What to Know Before You Go (2022)</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel/">The Best Ways to Book Legoland Hotel: Tips and Tricks for Saving BIG</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-way-to-book-legoland-hotel/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets for Thanksgiving (Plus Other Travel Tips) </title>
		<link>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving</link>
					<comments>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[katie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:18:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/?p=144712</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If you&#8217;re like most people, you&#8217;re starting to think about your Thanksgiving travel plans. Will you stay close to...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving/">The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets for Thanksgiving (Plus Other Travel Tips) </a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>If you&#8217;re like most people, you&#8217;re starting to think about your <strong>Thanksgiving travel plans</strong>. Will you stay close to home or fly somewhere? If you&#8217;re thinking about flying,<strong> now is the time to start looking for deals on airline tickets.</strong> In this blog post, I&#8217;ll share some <strong>tips on when to buy airline tickets for Thanksgiving</strong> , as well as other <strong>tips for saving money on travel.</strong> </p>



<div class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.clarkscondensed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/creative-glowforge-copy.png" alt=" Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets for Thanksgiving" class="wp-image-155487"/></figure></div>



<p>If you&#8217;re reading this, you&#8217;re probably planning a vacation during the Thanksgiving weekend! Vacations are a great way to unwind, spend time with family, and make memories to last a lifetime. Plus, you&#8217;ll get to skip out on cooking a massive Thanksgiving dinner or running between family parties – going on a trip during this holiday truly is a win-win situation.</p>



<p>While the Thanksgiving long weekend is one of the best times to travel, you&#8217;re not the only one who&#8217;s thinking that way – it&#8217;s one of the biggest travel weekends in America. Don&#8217;t let this scare you though! There are plenty of ways to make sure your Thanksgiving vacation is smooth-sailing from start to finish.</p>



<p>First, let&#8217;s talk about the best time to buy airline tickets for Thanksgiving. If you have a family tradition of Thanksgiving travel, you already know the drill. But if this is your first time, there are a few rules to live by when it comes to cheap holiday flights:</p>



<p><strong>Buy Your Tickets Before October 31 at the Latest</strong></p>



<p>Thanksgiving is about three weeks after Halloween, so waiting until then to buy your plane tickets might come at a cost. The best time to get your tickets will be late August or early September. If you&#8217;re planning to travel during Thanksgiving, try as hard as you can to get your tickets before October 31! This way, you&#8217;ll get the best deals and flight prices, and you won&#8217;t have to deal with any last minute issues.</p>



<p><strong>Buy Your Tickets Three Months in Advance</strong></p>



<p>Three months ahead is the sweet spot when it comes to airline tickets. So ideally, if you&#8217;re booking for thanksgiving, you&#8217;ll want to get your Booking earlier or later than that could result in higher fares, so try to get them right around 3 months before your departure date. Your wallet will thank you, especially if you have a big family. Buying in advance gets you the lowest prices, even during the holiday season.</p>



<p><strong>Use Google Flights</strong></p>



<p>Google Flights is the best way to go when it comes to booking domestic flights and international flights for a good deal. It compares all of the airlines, flight times, layovers, and ticket prices, then gives you the best options for your round trip flights. If you&#8217;re looking for the lowest fares for nonstop flights, this is definitely the way to go! It will also tell you the least expensive days to travel.</p>



<p><strong>Buy Tickets on a Tuesday or Wednesday</strong></p>



<p>Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the best days to buy airline tickets because there are more discounts and deals available. If you&#8217;re flexible on your travel dates, aim for one of these days when you&#8217;re buying your plane tickets! The day of the week you choose to travel on can make a huge impact on the fares you get. The most expensive days to travel are typically weekends.</p>



<p><strong>Use a Credit Card with Travel Perks</strong></p>



<p>Credit cards like American Express and Capital One Venture have great travel perks! Research which credit cards can get you the best hotel and flight deals, then book your trip on it. It can save you tons of money and get you the best fares on major airlines.</p>



<p>Now that we&#8217;ve got the best time to buy airline tickets out of the way, let&#8217;s talk about some other tips to make your Thanksgiving travel go as smoothly as possible:</p>



<p><strong>Get to the Airport Early</strong></p>



<p>No one likes being rushed through an airport, especially during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. To avoid this stressful situation, aim to get to the airport at least two and a half hours before your flight is scheduled to take off. That way, you&#8217;ll have plenty of time to get through security and find your gate. Remember, Thanksgiving is the most popular time to travel, so plan accordingly!</p>



<p><strong>Travel on Non-Peak Days if Possible</strong></p>



<p>If you&#8217;re able to travel before or after the Thanksgiving long weekend, do it! You&#8217;ll avoid the massive crowds at the airport and you might even be able to snag cheaper flights. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to travel – the last thing you want is to miss your scheduled activities because you were stuck in traffic! This will get you the cheapest flights.</p>



<p><strong>Pack Plenty of Entertainment for the Kids</strong></p>



<p>If you&#8217;re traveling with young kids, it&#8217;s important to keep them entertained during the plane ride. No one wants to be that family with a screaming child on a long flight! To avoid this, pack some of your child&#8217;s favorite toys, books, or movies to keep them occupied. It&#8217;s also a good idea to bring along some snacks and drinks to keep their energy up.</p>



<p><strong>Pack Light</strong></p>



<p>This tip applies to everyone, not just those traveling with kids! Packing light will make your life a lot easier, both at the airport and on your trip. If you&#8217;re worried about fitting everything into one suitcase, consider wearing your heaviest items on the plane. That way, you&#8217;ll have more space in your bag for souvenirs – especially if you&#8217;re traveling during Black Friday!</p>



<p><strong>Be Efficient in the Airport</strong></p>



<p>The airport is set up to get everyone where they need to go as quickly as possible. You can be more efficient at the airport the week of Thanksgiving by doing the following:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Check in for your flight 24 hours in advance.</li><li>Add your boarding passes to your Apple Wallet on your phone.</li><li>Print your bag tags at the kiosks as soon as you get to the airport.&nbsp;</li><li>When going through security, remember the rules – if you&#8217;re older than 12, take off your shoes. All electronics bigger than a tablet should be taken out of your bag and put in a separate bin. Take off your belt and empty your pockets.</li><li>Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.</li><li>When picking up your bag, don&#8217;t stand right by the carousel – your bag will get to you eventually, so stand back until you see it.</li></ul>



<p><strong>Be Kind to Workers</strong></p>



<p>From the TSA employees to hotel staff, no one wants to be working during a holiday weekend. To make things even harder, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, which makes for a lot of angry people. Even if an inconvenience comes up, do your best to be kind! You&#8217;ll most likely make their day, and you might even get better accommodations in return (although you shouldn&#8217;t expect anything like that). This is especially important if you&#8217;re traveling on Thanksgiving day or Christmas day!</p>



<p><strong>Drive If Possible</strong></p>



<p>If you want to avoid the stress of the airport altogether, the best bet is to drive to your destination! This is especially a good option if you&#8217;re traveling with young kids or a lot of luggage. Just make sure to plan your route in advance and take into account rest stops, traffic, and bad weather. If you&#8217;re traveling as a big family, you can save a pretty penny by not purchasing plane tickets!</p>



<p>By following these tips, you&#8217;ll be sure to have a stress-free Thanksgiving travel experience! Just remember to be patient, efficient, and kind, and you&#8217;ll be on your way in no time. Happy travels!</p>



<p>Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. And if you want to get the best deals on your airline tickets, now is the time to buy them. We’ve provided some other tips in this blog post that will help make your holiday travel as smooth as possible. So what are you waiting for? Get started planning your trip today!</p>



<p><strong>Other articles you may enjoy:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/travel-safety-tips-for-families/" data-type="post" data-id="31326">30+ Must Know Travel Safety Tips For Families</a></li><li><a href="https://www.clarkscondensed.com/save-money-on-travel/">The Best Money Saving Travel Hacks</a></li><li><a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/cheap-thanksgiving-vacation-ideas-for-families/" data-type="post" data-id="144709">Cheap Thanksgiving Vacation Ideas for Families</a></li></ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving/">The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets for Thanksgiving (Plus Other Travel Tips) </a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/the-best-time-to-buy-airline-tickets-for-thanksgiving/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>10 Important Things to Consider Before Booking a Hotel</title>
		<link>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel</link>
					<comments>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[katie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:17:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkscondensed.com/?p=31898</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I have always enjoyed staying at hotels, so over the years, I’ve become quite savvy on getting the best...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel/">10 Important Things to Consider Before Booking a Hotel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>I have always enjoyed staying at hotels, so over the years, I’ve become quite savvy on getting the best deals for the best places.</p>



<p>We never stay at five star resorts, but we are often able to find great deals on very comfortable hotels.</p>



<p>As our family has grown, so have our expectations and needs for a hotel. I often have people asking me how to find the best hotels.</p>



<p>So, I thought I would put together this little guide about what to think about before booking your next hotel!&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Location</strong></h2>



<p>Always double check the location of the hotel. Some hotels will claim to be an amazing location…but leave out the fact that they are right next to the highway or a train station.</p>



<p>And keep in mind that most hotels aren’t going to write a negative description about their location, so I recommend looking at it on Google Maps to see where it is. I’ve also found that some hotels exaggerate how close they are to a place.</p>



<p>For instance when booking our trips for Disneyland, it made me laugh how many hotels boasted being within walking distance, yet they were two miles away. Yes, technically walking distance…but I don’t know too many people who are going to walk two miles to Disneyland.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Read Reviews</strong></h2>



<p>I think this is one of the very best things you can do when booking for a hotel.</p>



<p>We have stayed in some very nice two star hotels and some not-so-nice four star hotels. You can’t always trust the star ratings – but what you can usually trust are user reviews.</p>



<p>Afterward, I almost always read reviews if it was a bad experience, and I almost always find other people complaining about the same things.</p>



<p>It’s important to keep in mind that you often get complainers leaving reviews more often than happy customers, but if a hotel has a bunch of reviews, it’s safe to say they can be trusted. This is also a great way to figure out if there’s anything temporarily out of service or under construction.</p>



<p>Something else I like to see is when management responds to comments – both positive and negative. It means they are trying to give customer service and be involved!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hotel Reputation</strong></h2>



<p>If you are staying in a hotel that’s a part of a chain, you can often trust a pretty standard experience at most locations. While there may be a bad apple every now and then, in my experience, you can know what you are getting. That’s why joining loyalty programs can be so important. I know we have specific hotels we like to stay at no matter where we go (and ones we avoid) simply because we always have a good experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Parking</strong></h2>



<p>While many standard hotels (2 and 3 star) offer free parking, it’s not always a given. In my experience, anything four-star and up not only charges for parking, but they also charge for a valet.</p>



<p>Before booking, double-check what the parking situation is. If you do have to pay for parking/valet/etc., this can easily increase the cost of your stay substantially.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Extra Fees and Tips</strong></h2>



<p>A long time ago when Jack was a baby, we were invited to stay at a resort in Park City. Seeing as we were poor, married college students with a baby, we weren’t really up to speed on what staying at a resort was like.</p>



<p>We quickly discovered that it was expected to tip for everything. The person who brought chocolate to your room to welcome you? Tip. Housekeeping? Big tip. Anyone who so much as looked at you? Tip…okay, maybe not that extreme? I just recommend figuring out what kinds of tips are expected at the place you are going…and make sure you have cash!</p>



<p>HoJo hotels give you a great value for your buck! Free breakfast, kids stay free and much more!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Free Breakfast</strong></h2>



<p>We almost always look for a hotel with a free continental breakfast – especially since we have kids. Not having to pay for breakfast can result in some big savings on your vacation budget! Plus, it’s nice not to have to worry about what you are doing for breakfast. Just go downstairs in your jammies or grab something on your way out!</p>



<p>All Howard Johnson hotels offer a free breakfast, which is awesome. You definitely need to check with individual hotels – even when they are part of a chain – because the offerings will definitely vary depending on location.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hotel Amenities</strong></h2>



<p>What does the hotel have to offer? If you are promising your kids there is a pool…make sure there is actually a pool (and that it’s actually open).</p>



<div style="position: relative; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; left: 0;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yiKnyyVeGWs?list=PL3Vqj9Ei2PrR3N1pVnreRzTc-tVaXn-Pl?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br>Do you need to be able to exercise every day? Double check that there is an exercise room. Do you need access to a washing machine? Always go to the website before booking to make sure they have all the amenities you need.</div>



<p>I love finding hotels that offer extra amenities at no extra cost. As we’ve been looking forward to our trip to Disneyland in October, I saw that the Howard Johnson in Anaheim has a great little water playground available for guests.</p>



<p>I love finding hotels that just go the extra mile when it comes to amenities and experience – and that’s definitely what HoJo does.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In Room Amenities</strong></h2>



<p>We always like being in a room that, at a minimum, has a microwave and refrigerator. Some hotels don’t put these in my default, but you can often request one to be brought to your room. It makes it easier to have snacks and reheat leftovers.</p>



<p>Even better is when a kitchen is available! I don’t know about you, but eating out gets a little old after awhile on a trip, and it’s nice to be able to make your own food if you want.</p>



<p>Other in room amenities to look for are free WiFi (yes, not all hotels offer it free!), entertainment selections, room service, etc.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Shuttle</strong></h2>



<p>Are you flying in and not planning to get a rental car? Many hotels have shuttles…but it sure wouldn’t be fun to find out when you flew in that your hotel did not. If you are near a popular tourist attraction, you can also see if your hotel has shuttles available as well. I know that the many hotels in Anaheim near Disneyland, including the Howard Johnson, are part of the ART route and you can get discounted rates from the front desk!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Double Check Construction</strong></h2>



<p>When we were looking at hotels for Disneyland, I was a little surprised at how many hotels were under construction. This is also where it pays to read the reviews – people love to comment on construction and whether or not it interrupted their trip!</p>



<p>Some construction isn’t a big deal, but if it is super loud and will make it hard to even be in your room, you want to know about it. Even things as simple as the pool being under construction can be annoying, especially if you didn’t know beforehand.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Perks for Extra Nights</strong></h2>



<p>Many hotels offer a certain percentage off or even a free night if you stay long enough! In the past, I’ve kind of “hotel jumped” and stayed at different hotels in a short period of time to save money. However, whenever I see an extra night or percentage off promotion, I’m all over it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Book directly</strong></h2>



<p>Often, the best way to book a hotel is directly – specifically by phone. Many hotels often a best rate guarantee, and they can even offer you exclusive deals just for calling in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ask for Upgrades</strong></h2>



<p>When you book, don’t be afraid to tell them if it’s for a special occasion. For instance, when we booked hotels for our honeymoon, I mentioned that, and they gave us the special treatment. At one hotel, they gave us a package you usually have to spend $200 on for free!</p>



<p>We’ve been able to upgrade rooms, bed sizes, etc., simply by asking. It doesn’t hurt!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Join Rewards Program</strong></h2>



<p>I think it pays to be loyal to certain brands. Most hotels have great rewards programs that help you earn free and discounted trips in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Early Check in</strong></h2>



<p>We often get to hotels before the designated check in time – and 9 times out of 10 when I call, they say we can check in early! Even if you aren’t able to, many hotels are willing to hold your luggage at the front desk until your room is ready.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.clarkscondensed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/img_0083.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32376"/></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel/">10 Important Things to Consider Before Booking a Hotel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/things-to-consider-before-booking-a-hotel/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Secrets to Getting the Best Deal on Priceline</title>
		<link>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-hotel-prices-using-priceline/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=best-hotel-prices-using-priceline</link>
					<comments>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-hotel-prices-using-priceline/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[katie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:14:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Family Travel Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thrifty Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotel bidding trips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotel deals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to bid on priceline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[last minute deals on hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Priceline tips]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.clarkscondensed.com/?p=15144</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Do you want to stay in a good hotel on a budget?&#160;You&#8217;ve come to the right place &#8211; here...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-hotel-prices-using-priceline/">Secrets to Getting the Best Deal on Priceline</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Do you want to stay in a good hotel on a budget?&nbsp;You&#8217;ve come to the right place &#8211; here are a few secrets to playing the Priceline game.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>We stay at a fair amount of hotels throughout the year &#8211; whether it&#8217;s because I&#8217;m attending a conference, we&#8217;re traveling, or any number of other reasons.</p>
<p>While I like staying at a nice hotel, I also don&#8217;t like paying an arm and a leg, especially when we need multiple nights. I&#8217;d say about 95% of the time, we get our hotel booked through <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7083466/type/dlg/https://www.priceline.com/home/?afsrc=1&amp;refid=CO2203897&amp;refclickID=10392992SID4721876553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Priceline</a>.</p>
<p>There are a number of websites out there that claim to have the best deals on hotels, but we prefer using <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7083466/type/dlg/https://www.priceline.com/home/?afsrc=1&amp;refid=CO2203897&amp;refclickID=10392992SID4721876553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Priceline</a>. I can almost always get a nice hotel, typically with a free breakfast, for a very reasonable price &#8211; far below what you could get booking through&nbsp;the hotel, AAA, etc.</p>
<p>The best prices will vary depending on time of year, where you are going, etc. For instance, a few months ago, we went to Provo, and while we can typically find a great hotel between $40-$60 a night, this particular weekend there was NOTHING under $150. I believe there was some big concert going on.</p>
<p>Just this week, we were in Pasadena, California. By following these tips, we were able to stay at a 4 Star Westin for $82. When I checked elsewhere, the next cheapest price was around $150 (though most were over $200).</p>
<h2>Coupons</h2>
<p>Priceline doesn&#8217;t release a lot of coupons&#8230;which makes sense, since they offer already discounted prices. However, occasionally you can get them. Typically they are just 5-10% off, but hey, every little bit counts, right?! I would first google &#8220;Priceline coupons (put month/year here)&#8221; to see if there happens to be one.</p>
<p>If there aren&#8217;t any, don&#8217;t worry! I&#8217;ve found that when you sign up for the email list, you usually get a coupon. Sometimes they&#8217;ll even send you one after you book a hotel room, so you can use it on your next time using Priceline. We&#8217;ve also occasionally gotten coupons through our email as well, so definitely sign up for their email list.</p>
<h2>Check Website (on different computers) and Mobile App</h2>
<p>Not everyone sees the same deals. For instance, a few weeks ago I was looking at the Little America in Salt Lake City. It kept giving me the price of $90, which is a great deal for that particular hotel. However, when I mentioned this to other people attending the conference I was going to, not all of them saw the same deal. A lot of them saw a price that was $10-15 higher. While I honestly couldn&#8217;t tell you the&nbsp;<em>exact</em> reason for this, I think it might have to do with two things:</p>
<ul>
<li>I had been doing a search for hotels in Salt Lake about every other day for about a month. I think it may have known I was interested and locked in those deals.</li>
<li>I don&#8217;t live in Utah, so it may have been giving me a better deal.</li>
</ul>
<p>Like I said, I don&#8217;t know if either of these reasons were true. A similar thing happened last year when we were in North Carolina &#8211; we were looking for a hotel to stay at, and I searched both on the mobile app and on the computer. I was able to find a better deal on the mobile app. So, moral of the story is &#8211; check the website in multiple places &#8211; different computers, the mobile browser, or even ask someone in a different area to do a search for you. You never know what kind of deal you&#8217;ll find!</p>
<h2>Use the Mobile App</h2>
<p>I just attended a conference in California, and there was actually a representative there (no, this post wasn&#8217;t written for them. I&#8221;m actually adding this tip months after the initial publication :). She told me that <a href="https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-7083466-11393208-1431704182000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">the mobile app has Express deals</a> that are ONLY available on mobile. These are typically same day deals, and you can really save a bundle.</p>
<p>So I decided to try it out. I had been looking for a hotel for us to stay in during our last night in California, but none of the prices were looking too great for me. So I decided to wait until last minute, but instead of using the website, I checked the app.</p>
<p>Sure enough, there was a GREAT deal on a Westin Hotel that wasn&#8217;t on the website&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7083466-11102003-1468001441000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express Deals</a>, nor was it available the day before. We paid the same price for it that we were looking to pay for a one star, 2/10 user rating hotel in the same area.</p>
<p>Obviously, we went with the Westin. I&#8217;ve also been offered mobile only coupons before as well.</p>
<h2>Understanding Ratings</h2>
<p>So, on <a href="https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-7083466-10392970&quot;%20target=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Priceline Hotel Deals</a>, they give you two different rates&nbsp;when you are looking at hotels &#8211; the star rating (which, in the United States, are decided by several different organizations on a variety of criteria) and then user ratings.</p>
<p>Personally, I rarely pay attention to the star ratings. We&#8217;ve stayed at 1 star hotels from Priceline that have been excellent, and then 3.5 star hotels that have been subpar (though, in full disclosure, we feel like the sweet spot is 2.5 stars &#8211; they are usually clean, comfortable, and have a free breakfast. Most 3+ star hotels don&#8217;t have free breakfasts!) The key is to look at the user ratings.</p>
<p>Personally, we like to stay at hotels that have at least 7+ average ratings from customer ratings. We&#8217;ve never been disappointed with a hotel that has over a 7+ rating.</p>
<p>If you aren&#8217;t a picky person, you can probably go below that&#8230;but definitely proceed with caution! Just last week we stayed at one that had a 5.2 average rating, and I&#8217;m personally shocked it was that high. It was one of the worst hotel experiences ever!</p>
<p>The user ratings are from people who actually stayed at the hotel. Sure, some of the people rating are probably biased, but for the most part, I&#8217;ve found the ratings to be fair. When we aren&#8217;t trying to bid for a hotel, or get one of the last minute deals (more on that in a second), I&#8217;ll take the time to read through the reviews to see why or why not a person liked a hotel. You can only do this if you are looking it the list view of available hotels (this typically aren&#8217;t the best deal, but they are cheaper than most anywhere else!)</p>
<h2>Triple Check Dates (and get the $5 insurance)</h2>
<p>Once upon a time, Forrest and I were trying to book a hotel for right after our wedding. Since we were poor college students, we turned to Priceline, where we were able to find a 4 star hotel for $80. Well, for whatever reason, I put the wrong dates down. And I purchased those wrong dates. And I was SO upset.</p>
<p>Usually, Priceline won&#8217;t let you change the dates or cancel if you make a mistake. Fortunately, some kind customer service representative made an exception for the crying bride-to-be who begged her to over the phone. However, they usually won&#8217;t do something like this, so TRIPLE check your dates and don&#8217;t book until you are sure of them. Unless you like paying for a hotel room that you can&#8217;t stay at.</p>
<p>Something that they did add is the $5 trip insurance. Basically this&nbsp;will protect you in SOME cases where you may need to cancel your trip.</p>
<h3>When To Book</h3>
<p>I&#8217;m not sure if there&#8217;s a specific time that&#8217;s best to book, but I have often found the best deals about two weeks before, especially on the <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7083466-11102003-1468001441000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express Deals</a>.</p>
<p>However, I&#8217;d start looking&nbsp;(if you have this much time) one month&nbsp;beforehand, just to see what prices are available, and check back every couple days to see if the prices drop. Then, at about two weeks, you can see the trends and decide when to book.</p>
<p>As of late, I have actually found some of the very best deals the day of. Hotels will often want to fill their inventory, and the prices may drop considerably. I&#8217;ve only seen these drops in the <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7083466-11102003-1468001441000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express deals</a>, but the past few times that we&#8217;ve traveled, we have gotten VERY nice hotels for cheap by booking the day of. However, this can be a bit risky, and if you have to be in a very specific area, I might not chance it.</p>
<h2>Different Options for Getting a Hotel</h2>
<p>There are a couple of different ways to get a hotel from Priceline, and I&#8217;ll talk about them here, starting with my favorite &#8211; <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7083466-11102003-1468001441000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express Deals</a>.</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-7083466-11102003-1468001441000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express Deals</a></h3>
<p>I believe this is the best place to get the best deal and knowing what you are getting. I think you can get similar prices with bidding, but this is a little less risky, because you know what you are getting (except for the actual name of the hotel.)</p>
<p>Anyways, Express Deals are typically $10-20 less than the prices listed on the first page of the Priceline hotels (where you can see the hotels.) The only difference is that they don&#8217;t tell you the name of the hotel. However, each deal shows you the star rating, the average user rating, the approximate location, and the guaranteed amenities. Really, that&#8217;s all you need to know in my opinion (unless you&nbsp;<em>have</em> to be at a particular hotel.)</p>
<h3>Bidding</h3>
<p>This is another way to get pretty good deals, though it&#8217;s a little more risky. You can bid for hotels in certain areas, and you can require it be a certain star level or higher. However, you can&#8217;t see the guest ratings (which, as I mentioned, are crucial), and it can be a bit annoying!</p>
<p>I rarely bid anymore, but it&#8217;s all I did before they introduced the Express Deals. What I typically would do is look at all the hotels in a certain star rating, and then I would find the average price. Then, I&#8217;d start my bid at about $15-20 cheaper than that. Typically it never took my first bid, but it will typically give you a suggestion like &#8220;if you increase your bid by $5, you&#8217;ll get a room!&#8221; I typically would also try and pinpoint which hotels were available in different areas, decide which area had the best ones, and then just bid there.</p>
<h3>Low Prices &amp; Seeing the Hotel</h3>
<p>This is a good option for people who like to have control and know exactly what they are getting before they get their hotel. If you need a specific hotel, or to be in a particular area, this is the list risky option. You won&#8217;t get the cheapest prices (and sometimes I do see better deals directly from the hotel websites), however, I think the deals are usually pretty competitively priced.</p>
<p>For instance, earlier I mentioned that I was looking at the Little America in Salt Lake City. The price they gave was at least $30 cheaper than ANY other place I looked. So definitely look around at different places if you are trying to find a specific hotel, but <a href="https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-7083466-10392970&quot;%20target=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Priceline</a> can really be a great option.</p>
<h2>Factor in Tax</h2>
<p>Finally, one thing to remember is that the price you see for a hotel doesn&#8217;t include tax. I usually end up having to pay about $12 extra in tax, so that $35 room suddenly because $47. This is just something to remember in case you have a really tight budget!</p>
<h2>Bonus &#8211; What Hotel is the Express Deal?</h2>
<p>One of the issues people may have with doing the Express Deals is not knowing exactly what hotel it is. As someone who likes to plan things, I can understand this frustration.</p>
<p>However, I&#8217;ve found that with taking a little bit of extra time, you can typically figure out what hotel it is.</p>
<p>When I&#8217;m looking at Express Deals, I also have a separate window open with&nbsp;the hotels that you can know the names of (but pay a higher price). After I&#8217;ve found an Express Deal that I like, I will look at the area it says it&#8217;s in, as well as the star rating.</p>
<p>At that point, I&#8217;ll go and narrow down the search results on the shown hotels to the same area and star rating. Then, I&#8217;ll just compare apples to apples &#8211; eliminate hotels that don&#8217;t show the same amenities, look at the guest rating, etc. With the exception of one time, I was able to figure out the hotel very easily.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25544" src="https://www.clarkscondensed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/The-1.jpg" alt="the-1" width="650" height="1600"></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-hotel-prices-using-priceline/">Secrets to Getting the Best Deal on Priceline</a> appeared first on <a href="https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com">Magical Family Travel Guide</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://magicalfamilytravelguide.com/best-hotel-prices-using-priceline/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
