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Cell Phone Etiquette

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

Are you constantly annoyed by obnoxiously loud cell phone talkers?  Do you wish there was a set of guidelines for people to follow, out of courtesy for everyone else around them?  Your wish may be answered:  Here are some etiquette faux pas that Mobile Commandos listed recently.  The next time you happen upon someone that can’t seem to control the volume of their phone voice, perhaps you could point out this article to them.

However, these rules shouldn’t be necessary:  If everyone dealt with phone calls the way they wished others would, things would be a lot easier, especially for travelers.  That includes not interrupting conversations for phone calls, keeping the volume of voices and ring tones down, being considerate of others, and just having an overall awareness of how to conduct oneself on the phone.  It also involves not texting or calling without a hands-free set while driving, which can be a hazard to everyone on the road.

Labor Day Hotel

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

It's a three day weekend, so you have nothing but time.  Take this last big weekend of summer to go on that vacation. Pick one of the great deals below or choose from the last minute deals available in every state through Extended Stay Hotels.

* Orange County, CA
* Fort Lauderdale, FL
* Annapolis, MD
* Chicago, IL
* Philadelphia, PA

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

Weekend Trip

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

Labor day may be next weekend, but what are you doing this weekend? Before all the cars join you on the road, take this opportunity for a summer trip. Head down to sunny Florida, hit the beaches of California, check out the music scene in Chicago, or go museum hopping in the nation's capital. Whatever you choose, this could be a weekend to remember. Check below for the latest weekend deals. from Extended Stay Hotels

* Los Angeles, CA
* Miami, FL
* Orlando, FL
* Chicago, IL
* Washington, DC

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

Packing Tips for Road Warriors

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

Road warriors take pride in packing skills, and for good reason:  Being able to efficiently pack for a lengthy trip, at a moment’s notice, is an art.  Over the years, more tricks are learned while the bags get lighter, as only the necessities make it into the suitcase.  Here are a few more tips that may be helpful for road warriors or anyone else packing a suitcase:

Roll clothing that doesn’t wrinkle: While most business clothes need to be treated carefully, roll anything that does not; it’s by far the best way to fit more into a small space  and it makes it easy to pinpoint specific items without sifting through piles.

Have toiletries ready to go: Instead of pilfering from your bathroom, pack a second set of toiletries and leave it in your bag.  After a trip, refill as needed and put it back in your bag.  When you need to pack, you’ll be happy to have one less thing to worry about.

Choose neutral colors: this one seems easy, but can be tricky if you don’t plan ahead.  Build your travel wardrobe around one or two colors and stick to it.  The more colors you wear, the more accessories—such as belts and shoes—need to come along.  If everything corresponds with everything else, then you’re all set, even if your trip is extended by a couple days.

Carry-On Luggage

August 19, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Purchasing the proper carry-on bag is a vital aspect of business travel: You want to be able to fit as much as possible in the bag without exceeding any size restrictions.  A durable carry-on is an investment; one that you want to ensure is irreplaceable.  So before you go shopping, keep in mind that, generally, the bag should not exceed 45 linear inches, which is the sum of the length, width, and height.  For a full list, visit luggage online, and check the carry-on limits for your frequent flier airlines.

Now that you’re aware of the restrictions, which bag should you pick?  There are thousands of carry-on options. Look for a bag with multiple pockets—for quick organization—and consider a wheeled bag in order to place less stress on your shoulders.  Be mindful to look for a water-resistant bag—in case of rain or another unforeseen watery encounter—since nothing’s worse than showing up to a meeting wearing damp clothes.  Here are some articles with options and advice on selecting the right bag for you:

Top Travel Mistakes

August 15, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Some things you just have to learn from trial and error;  others can be made easier if someone else points out the potential pitfalls.  Many road warriors have learned the hard way about dealing with a canceled flight, or choosing the right car for city driving. 

Here are some interesting articles sharing these travel mistakes, and the lessons that can be learned from them:

Some travel foibles can be avoided if you just know what to look for.  Have you made a travel mistake, and what‘s changed as a result?

Weekend Savings

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

It's mid-August, which means it's the perfect time to fit in a vacation before the kids have to be back to school. You don't have to be gone for long, Extended Stay Hotels has great deals for a weekend getaway. All you have to do is pick the city that most appeals to you.

* Phoenix, AZ
* Orange County, CA
* Fort Lauderdale, FL
* Philadelphia, PA
* Washington, DC

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

Travel Guide Options

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

Do you have funny, or just plain bizarre, travel stories?  If so, you aren’t alone:  Slate recently had an article about travel guides that have the strangest stories, topics, and advice.  It's absolutely amazing that some of these, like The Lonely Planet Guide to Micronations, were actually published.  For more of the truly bizarre, there are always guides—such as Weird America—that can point out all the unique destinations.  And there are funny travel guides that are both entertaining and informative.

On the other hand, here's an article on the best of travel guides, according to Courant.  A paperback book isn't the only way to get your travel information—there are also interactive online travel guides, such as the U.S. travel guide provided by the New York Times.

With so many travel guides to choose from, surely everyone can find out what they want to know about any destination in the world.  Where do you go for your travel information?

Summer Escape

August 7, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you haven't gotten a tan yet this summer, this weekend is your chance.  Grab your bathing suit and lounge by the ocean, lake, or pool.  Discover great city destinations like Los Angeles and Chicago.  Or finally go on that theme park vacation in Orlando.  The choice is yours and Extended Stay Hotels has great last minute deals that can help make it happen.

* Phoenix, AZ
* Los Angeles, CA
* Orlando, FL
* Chicago, IL
* Baltimore, MD

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

Airport Lounges

August 5, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Road warriors who enjoy checking into an airport lounge with their frequent flier cards may be disappointed when they arrive there, only to find the lounge closed.  This could be because of recent trends, such as one The New York Times reports about lounge closures by many US carriers.  Fortunately, the current closures are in less-frequented locations—but this may only be the beginning.

To make your airport stay more comfortable—without heading to the lounge—here are a few tips:

Bring an empty bottle – Staying hydrated before boarding a dry plane is a good idea, and there’s nothing against bringing an empty bottle through security.  So fill it when you get to your gate and drink up.

Make a restaurant your lounge – If you have a good bit of time before your flight, consider a leisurely drink or meal.  The food might not be amazing, but the seats are usually more comfortable than the alternatives.

Ask around – We’ve had articles on the best airports through which to book a layover.  In addition to this information, ask fellow travelers, or look online before you go.  A comfortable seat in a quiet area can make all the difference; finding the airport that has it is gold.