<p>We recently headed off on a long weekend getaway and had a wonderful time visiting with our D. But coming home, and plopping into our bed we both sighed that is was great to be home. And we started thinking about our traveling plans, and wondering if we could afford to travel with accommodations like we are used to at home.</p>
<p>When you travel do you try and get hotels or inns that match the luxury of your home?</p>
<p>Recently returned from a ski trip-- the condo met basic accommodation needs but was a bit dated and underwhelming. But convenient. On the other hand, we’ve also stayed as some absolutely charming and/or classy places that I’d prefer over my own home. So bottom line answer-- it depends.</p>
<p>I like to stay places which are nicer then my home. We usually go for the charming b&b’s or boutique hotels.</p>
<p>Since we normally mooch off friends and family, I can safely say that the digs are as good as, if not better than, we’ve got at home.</p>
<p>All of our vacations are tent camping at a park with no electricity.</p>
<p>Home is an 800 square foot home, so it’s a bit bigger and does have electric and indoor plumbing…</p>
<p>
Are you my sister-in law?!?!?! :eek: LOL</p>
<p>The simple answer for us is, yes.</p>
<p>Since I don’t have to cook, clean, make the beds, or otherwise get involved with the maintenance of vacation places, I’d say they trump my home. That’s why they are called “vacation”.</p>
<p>Now…if you are asking about luxury…it depends. Sometimes we stay at places like the Westin, and sometimes the Holiday Inn Express.</p>
<p>We always book accommodations that equal or exceed what we have at home. Unless we are camping, I don’t think that it would feel like much of a vacation otherwise.</p>
<p>^ When we stay in condos (as in the ski trip) there is still cooking and bed-making involved, though thanks to generous guests, much of the cooking was handled by the 20-somethings on our recent trip, and we ate out 2 nights. Had an impromptu gathering of about 12 or so in the condo one night, so the kitchen was helpful. I might have picked a bit more up to date condo, but it was a matter of availability, convenience and wanting to be near the other friends on the trip who had already booked in this particular complex.</p>
<p>Recently visited younger s for a long weekend. Opted at the last minute to stay at a nicer hotel (a waldorf property) rather than a less expensive one near his home (a Hampton Inn). Aside from the outrageous daily parking fee, it was DEFINITELY the right choice, and the prices were othewise surprisingly comparable with the deal I found!!</p>
<p>When our kids were younger, we camped quite a pit, most always with running water and flush toilets, although sometimes pit toilets.
H & I haven’t really ever had a lengthy vacation alone together other than camping,( even our honeymoon was just one night in the local Hilton), but when we stay in hotels, they are pretty nice ones. ( Im not adverse to staying in cabins though, the attraction is what is outside, not inside)
Last year for our anniv, we stayed in a topfloor suite with a master bedroom, two bathtubs,including a jacuzzi & a conference size table and a larger living room area than we have at home. it was also right across the street from a park where they screened outdoor movies and a wonderful bookstore. It was heaven, but I was distracted by all the space. This year, I think we may go back to the same small hotel, but stay in a little smaller room. That bed I think was bigger than our bedroom at home!
Im more comfortable with rooms at hotels like the Sylvia in Vancouver, where you could have one foot touching the bed & the other in the bathroom.
;)</p>
<p>Our vacation accommodations are all over the map. Our “destinations” are usually nicer, but the places we might stay on the road on the way are not. Loved the beautiful Jackson Lake Lodge, but we camped in a motor home on the way there. We stayed at the elegant Fairmont in Lake Louise, but also spent time at a small, rustic cabin at Emerald Lake.
Nature sometimes trumps lodgings.</p>
<p>It depends like other posters. When we get a great deal, we will have a great place. If we are on travel for business we tend to stay near the event we attend even if it is pricey and nice. </p>
<p>For us, location trumps most other issues. That and a reasonable price are our deal makers/breakers. We try to stay at 3* or higher lodging and prefer to pay under 100/nite but have paid up to $300/ nite.</p>
<p>It depends. If it is one night stay, I try to look for a place that is clean and has comfortable beds, typically a Hampton Inn or similar. If we are on “vacation” and will be staying for several days, it depends–if the vacation is to a resort then we try to get a suite or something nice with some amenities. If it is a place to say while visiting an area, say Washington DC, etc., then I try to find something like a Hampton Inn. I would rather spend the extra money on doing things then the hotel room, but I don’t want a flea trap either.</p>
<p>It depends on the purpose of our trip. My H who has done a lot of adventure trips will be going to Mt. Everest base camp plus climb another mt. led by Tenzing Norgay’s son to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his father ascent on Mt. Everest. He will stay in tents, but the cost of the trip is several times what it will cost for trips staying in 5* hotels.</p>
<p>On other trips, we usually stay in nice, well located places.</p>
<p>It’s a toss up. We’re heading out for our annual ski vacation and the condo “appears” equally nice…but we like to cook and I’ll miss all my “cooking and baking stuff”…that unfortunately is always sadly lacking and the stove is electric and I prefer gas. But I’ll enjoy the hot-tub since ours has been on the fritz for years and my H isn’t very motivated to ‘fix it’ and wants it hauled away. I’m going to enjoy the hot tub at night after a day on the slopes. Also I’m hoping the condo gas grill has propane…my H is not very diligent about keeping ours filled on the grill at home 
We’re eating in 3 nights and eating out 4 nights…so hoping to grill one of the nights. But in general, I tend to pick places that “match” what we have.</p>
<p>jym626 -</p>
<p>The mooching goes both ways, and I have an open door policy. However my sibs all have guest rooms that I can take advantage of, but guests at my house have to choose between the sofa and inflatable mattresses unless they visit while the kid is away at college.</p>
<p>When I book hotels I sort by star ratings. Due to work and personal due diligence, I have stayed at some pretty amazing properties. Four Seasons continue to be my favorite chain. You can’t beat Far East’s custom service, and the worst is US. </p>
<p>No matter what, I still my home is better because I love my bed. I love hotels because of their bathrooms. I would love to move Four Seasons bathroom to my home.</p>
<p>My oldest daughter and her boyfriend have hosted my youngest daughter and *her *friends several times just over the last year. ( one friend at a time)
Quite a feat considering they have a one bedroom apartment ( with a study) and a big dog.</p>
<p>I really should send them something in appreciation.
Too bad my daughter isn’t speaking to me.</p>
<p>I guess you aren’t my SIL/BIL because there is not a reverse invitation, and their house is apparently too covered with dog hair and junk to permit any overnight guests who are not of the faint of heart. Besides, when one visits them one is still expected to pay for everything, and they run up a mighty big tab on our nickel.
Rant over. For now.</p>