Lodging Expert Offers Last-Minute Tips to Plan a Great Trip
DALLAS, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As the temperatures continue
to climb, are you looking forward to your upcoming summer getaway, or
kicking yourself because you failed to plan one? It's not too late to plan
a summer vacation, and the best options might be closer to home than you
think.
Jack Richards, senior vice president of product marketing at
hotels.com, notes that many vacationers are opting for trips within driving
distance of their homes so they can avoid crowded airports and save on trip
costs. Condos, suites and private homes continue to be popular choices for
families and groups, as they often feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms,
spacious living areas for socializing, and kitchens that aren't available
in traditional hotels.
What's the best way to start planning for the trip? You can search
multiple web sites to research your options, but this can be a
time-consuming and sometimes discouraging process. "Individual renters may
urge you to stay in a particular property, and if something goes wrong, it
may be difficult to rectify the situation," Richards says. "An independent
lodging source can provide objective information on a variety of options,
and that source is available to you throughout the trip in the event of a
problem or an emergency."
Richards offers the following four tips to plan your late summer getaway:
* Ask questions before you book. Understanding what the rental includes
will help streamline your decision-making and packing process. Does
it have a full kitchen? Are laundry facilities within the unit or in
a common, shared area? Will you have access to a pool and/or exercise
room? Is complimentary parking nearby?
* Pack - and shop - with care. If you're driving to your destination,
bring non-perishable foods and kitchen supplies from home, and try to
purchase other food items as you approach your destination. Grocery
stores in the heart of resort areas tend to be more expensive than
those just a few miles away.
* Be flexible. The most popular beach destinations may have limited
availability for the remainder of summer, so be open to other ideas.
Consider mountain areas (such as Aspen, Colo., Lake Tahoe, Calif., and
Park City, Utah) and inland areas (such as Savannah, Georgia., and
Gatlinburg, Tenn.), which offer warm weather and plenty of outdoor
activities.
* Think about timing. If your schedule allows, look at vacation options
for September just after Labor Day weekend. Crowds and traffic will
be lighter, and you may secure a stronger value for your rental.
Specials are still available for late summer vacations to many
destinations, such as Myrtle Beach, S.C., Orlando, Fla., and Aspen, Colo.
For more information, please contact the lodging experts at hotels.com at
800-617-8496 or visit hotels.com
About hotels.com
hotels.com(R) is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering
reservation services through its own web sites (including
http://www.hotels.com and others), its interactive affiliate network
(http://www.IAN.com ), and its toll-free call centers (1-800-2-HOTELS).
hotels.com gives travelers one of the widest selections of lodging
accommodations from traditional hotels to vacation rentals at more than
70,000 properties worldwide. hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia,
Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE).
SOURCE hotels.com
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Related links:
http://www.hotels.com
http://www.IAN.com
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CONTACT:
Maureen Carrig of hotels.com,
+1-425-679-7511, or mcarrig@hotels.com
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