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Cheap Hotel Rates

May 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Try your luck in Vegas, wander the Miracle Mile, stroll along Federal Hill, listen to great blues, or check out Temple Square. Whether you're looking to go to Las Vegas, Chicago, Providence, Nashville, or Salt Lake City, it's a great time to go. Click on one of the deals below and book a hotel room for the weekend. If you're looking to travel elsewhere, there are even more deals to be had at an Extended Stay Hotels near your location. This is the perfect time to book a weekend vacation hotel and take an early summer trip, now that the Memorial Day crowds are gone.

* Las Vegas, NV
* Chicago, IL
* Providence, RI
* Nashville, TN
* Salt Lake City, UT

We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!

Beach Vacation Hotels

May 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

For many travelers, summer is all about finding a little spot of sand on a beautiful beach. Whether sunbathing, swimming, or building sand castles, the beach is a perfect vacation spot.  But where should you head for this year’s getaway? And where will you stay?  We’ve got you covered with a list of great beach destinations for this summer.

Daytona Beach, Florida – In addition to lying on the beach, you can drive on it.
Virginia Beach, Virginia – As the world’s longest beach, there’s plenty of space for your umbrella.
Miami, Florida – South Beach provides a perfect mix of sunbathing and exciting nightlife.
Orange County, California – Try your hand at surfing while at Laguna Beach.
West Palm Beach, Florida – History, culture, shopping, and beautiful ocean all in one place.

And just click on any of the links above to find affordable hotels in the destination of your choice.  It might be time to enjoy a beach vacation this summer.

Cheap Summer Vacation

May 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sometimes the early bird gets the worm, but other times last minute deals can lead to even bigger savings.  How does a traveler know when to plan and what else to do in order to enjoy a cheap summer vacation packed with entertainment?  Here are some travel tips that can help you save this summer:

  • Book plane tickets for mid-week, if possible.  And avoid flying on Sundays at all costs.
  • Take a vacation either at the very beginning or end of the summer.
  • Picnic or eat in as much as possible; restaurant bills can add up fast.
  • If driving, leave very early in the morning to avoid gas-guzzling traffic jams.
  • Book months in advance (or, alternately, just a couple days) in order to avoid high prices.

Now is the time to start looking into vacation plans.  And even with rising fuel costs, a summer getaway can fit in the budget.  Reward yourself with an enjoyable and relaxing summer vacation.

Hotels Near Disneyland

May 22, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

While economic woes may be keeping some at home this summer, being domestic is by no means a major trend.  Nowadays, vacations are just a little closer to home, focusing on national, rather than international, travel.  In fact, Disney recently reported that park ticket sales are strong and they expect both Disneyland and Disney World to be popular destinations this summer.

However, a Disney park can still be a pricey vacation; unless you set, and subsequently stick to, a budget.  While staying at the Magic Kingdom can be inordinately expensive, finding a hotel near Disneyland at a reasonable price can make a family vacation affordable. Plus, staying outside of the park can make seeing other highlights of the area easier.  A Southern California Attractions Pass can get you into Disneyland, as well as Knott’s Berry Farm, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. And you can purchase a three day pass for less than buying the tickets separately (Orlando has a similar deal with the Go Orlando Card).

To make the trip convenient and comfortable, Extended Stay Hotels has accommodations close by in the Anaheim and Orlando areas.

Memorial Day Travel

May 21, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you haven't booked a hotel for this weekend yet, now is the perfect time to make your Memorial Day travel plans. Get out of town and celebrate the beginning of summer, whether that means hitting the beach, enjoying city nightlife, or finding a peaceful retreat. You have an extra day off, so use it wisely and have some fun! For great Memorial Day savings, check out Extended Stay Hotels' weekend deals.

* Bakersfield, CA
* Fort Lauderdale, FL
* Minneapolis, MN
* St. Louis, MO* Jackson, MS

We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!

Durable Gadgets

May 20, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

While trying to dig out your passport in order to get through customs, your smart phone lands on the floor. Or right before your big presentation, someone spills coffee on your keyboard. These situations could spell disaster, especially for a business traveler who needs these devices to stay connected and working; Yet for the road warrior who chooses durable gadgets, this could just be another day of normal wear and tear.

So what are the most damage resistant gadgets to travel with?  PC Magazine recently came up with a list that’s worth a look. As far as laptops, it's hard to go wrong with the Panasonic Toughbook. And if you need a camera, Olympus has a digital camera that would be a challenge to break: It's shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, and freezeproof. New technology is leading to longer lasting devices that can stand up to the life of a road warrior.

Do you have a favorite business travel gadget that can take a licking and keep on ticking?

Travel Destination Idea: The Movies

May 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Forget the in-flight film.  As summer draws near, we head into the blockbuster movie season.  With upcoming summer movies like the next Indiana Jones (don’t forget to italicize these (you can get into copyright troubles as well!)), the second Chronicles of Narnia movie, and The Incredible Hulk—the bigger the screen, the better.  To find the ultimate movie theater, you may have to take a trip. 

So where should you go for unique viewing experiences of these highly-anticipated blockbusters?  MSNBC has a list of the top American movie theaters, including Grauman’s in Los Angeles and the Music Box in Chicago.  For more ideas, check out Cinema Treasures, a site that lists classic theaters and drive-ins that are still active.  And for a larger than life experience, you can’t beat the IMAX.

You probably won’t be the only one looking for a movie travel destination.  Traveling to one of the best theaters to see one of the best movies of the summer--on opening night, no less—is a memorable experience.

Travel Hotels

May 13, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

This could be the weekend that you just take off and go on a mini-vacation. Reconnect with old friends, visit loved ones, or pick a destination and go just for fun. No matter where the moment takes you, check out Extended Stay Hotel's great deals for this weekend and save big on hotels in popular destinations.

* San Rafael, CA
* Hartford, CT
* Raleigh / Durham, NC
* Portland, OR
* Austin, TX

We look forward to your stay with us and providing you SuiteSavings rates every weekend!

Travel Texting

May 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

When you arrive in a new city, it's always nice to have a friend in town to recommend restaurants or tell you that the art museum is closed on Mondays.  However, you may not have those kinds of connections in every city.  And if your friend is busy and not answering the phone, you're back to square one.  There is now a service that gives you that kind of insider information wherever you are.

ChaCha is a service that you text with questions about the city and, in turn, they respond with personalized information and recommendations.  This service is free and can be the perfect way to get answers to travel questions when not near a computer with Internet access. 

They aren't the only ones looking to provide you with information through texting.  The FCC recently approved an alert system that will send text messages during emergencies in order to keep the public informed.  And CNN is reporting that more airlines and airports are turning to texting as a way to keep travelers updated on flight information.  So keep that cell phone handy while traveling!

Texting can be a great way to keep up on travel information and also keep in touch with friends and family at home.

Luggage Surcharge

May 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

When we reported a couple months ago on United charging extra for checking luggage, we thought it might become a trend.  Now, five of the six major US carriers carry surcharges for checking more than one bag.  For business travelers who need the extra space for presentation materials or demo products, the added expense is a hard hit.  Instead of letting the airlines sink your budget, there are some alternatives that may work better.

  • Ship packages before you go.  Shipping rates may be less than the $50 that luggage will cost you, roundtrip.
  • Take them in the car with you.  That is, if the event is within driving distance.
  • Consider alternative methods of public transportation.  Trains, for instance, still allow you to take that second bag for free.
  • Only take essentials.  This one might be obvious, but if you bring a flash drive with a document, and print copies on-site instead of lugging 50 copies there, you can save space and cut out this surcharge.