Efficiency's Safe Money When Traveling

Coffee in your room is not only a convenience, but it can save you money and time when you're traveling.  Some hotel rooms have in room coffee, but you can't count on it.  Look for Efficiency's when you travel that have in room coffee makers, small dorm type refrigerator, and a microwave.  There are several good frozen options you can pop in the microwave for a quick bite that again saves you time and money when traveling.  Particularly if you're between locations and wanting to roll out of bed early in the morning and drive a full day.  You can easily have breakfast and dinner in your room.  Lunch of lunch meat cheese and yogurt will easily fit in the fridge, saving you money from eating every meal out.  Springhill Suites by Marriott is our favorite of these efficiency's when traveling.

Additionally they all have a sofa and desk so you don't have to sit on the bed when relaxing.  The sofa is a sleeper sofa if you have others traveling with you.  AND, they have a free breakfast of fruit, cereals and hot eggs etc in the lobby if you want to eat quickly before starting out.

Take efficiency's up a notch when you reach your final destination.  This is an efficiency kitchen area where we stayed in Aruba at Marriott's Surf Club.  Above are dishes and glassware and some reasonable storage if you don't over shop for supplies.  To the right of the kitchen is the bathroom and entrance into the well equipped quest room/efficiency.  Because all Marriott Time Shares (and many Springhills) have grills at the ready, it's possible to grill out and have a nice meal vs a costly dinner out.

And with either something you've tossed in the microwave or cooked on the grill you still have a place to sit and to eat on your balcony

or inside.  Might be hard to see as this was the morning we were checking out.  But the TV on the dresser is across from the bed, table and chairs next for your computer and or eating, with door to your private balcony.  The bed, unmade since it was our last morning prior to check out.

And you still have a view.  You also have a sleeper sofa which I neglected to get a photo of.  So, paying a bit more for an efficiency's saves you money eating all meals (like you would with a regular hotel room) out...and is less expensive then a larger condo unit.  After all, you have most of the comforts of home...and who's going to be spending much time indoors anyway?


Haven't traveled to many places that start with the letter E, but Effingham, Illinois , and the burial place of Edgar Allen Poe

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#9 start with 511

Getting the most of your Traveling Dollars

The above picture is from a Courtyard recently taken in St. Louis. Courtyards have a small living room space so you have a sofa to sit on and don't always have to sit on the bed. Makes things much more comfortable. Courtyards have a desk area (see chair on left) with free internet service. Courtyards also have a free breakfast buffet. The beds in the Courtyards we've stayed in tend to be Kings which is also a nice traveling feature. Courtyards are part of the Marriott System. All the rooms we've stayed in at Courtyards have a sleeper sofa.

This is a view from one of the Springhill Suites we've stayed in during our travels. Springhills Suites also are a part of The Marriott System. The tend to be less numerous than the above Courtyards, generally newer as they are the newest line in The Marriott Chain. Springhills seem to be a little larger than most Courtyards we've stayed in, though that may vary by location. Many of the Springhills we've stayed in tend to be in the downtown areas and are either a new rehab or a brand new facility. This assures nice accommodations.

Plenty of desk area with free internet service, both wired and wifi at Springhill Suites by Marriott. All Springhill's have King size beds with a pull out sofa which works well for us if our daughter is joining us. They have a small microwave, dorm sized fridge and extra sink area.

The layout's vary a bit in Springhill's but usually they have a partial wall like this photo separating the living room/desk area from the bedroom. A free breakfast buffet is also included at Springhill Suites.

This is a kitchen area at a Residence Inn, also a part of The Marriott System. Residence also have free internet service and a free breakfast buffet. They tend to be a little larger than the Springhill Suites, a little older as they've been in the system longer. Beds are queen at Residence Inn, as is the pull out sofa.

The prices for Courtyard, Springhill Suites, and Residence Inn varies from location to location; but you can see with each you get a free breakfast buffet something that can save you both time and money in your travels. Additionally with a full kitchen at The Residence you could prepare a meal. This is a good option if your trying to save money, spending more than 1 night; and are to tired to go out. The Springhill Suites give you an option to save money on meals also with their microwave. All three of these chains have a small market place in the lobby were you can purchase frozen meals, something quick and easy after your travels.

There are several benefits of sticking with one system as you travel. You become acquainted and comfortable with what to expect, you obtain frequent user's discounts, you can sign up for email alerts of specials, AND in the case of Marriott you obtain points which give you discounts elsewhere or with future travels. We've also found the service you get as a frequent user of one system tends to be better. When we've needed help re-scheduling, or upgrading a room, we've found lots of cooperation. Marriott is not the only system, believe Hyatt and other well known chains have similar benefits. Start with one and carry through with it, is my recommendation. Additionally, we've earned a free night here and there by staying with one system....you sure can't beat that for stretching your travel dollars. Marriott on the service might seem more expensive than a regular room else where; but with free breakfast, free internet (both items often extra elsewhere), and frequent discounts and points; we've found it to be a real cost saver.

**parking is free unless you're in a downtown area, then it seems regardless of where you stay you pay to park. Space is a premium.