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Save 20% this Weekend on Select Extended Stay Hotels

June 30, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 7/2 through 7/4) and next weekend (stays 7/9 through 7/11) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Orlando, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 7/2/2010 and 7/3/2010

* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from $42.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 7/9/2010 and 7/10/2010

* Washington DC Area  - Rates from $27.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Richmond, VA- Rates from $31.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

Successful Business Travel

June 29, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Business travel: some of us hate the inconvenience of it, while others love the opportunities it provides on the company’s dime. Though many companies have cut back or completely eliminated non-essential employee trips, for some of us, business travel is still very much a reality. Whether you travel for a few days or a few weeks, here are some tips to make your next trip a success.

  • First things first: make sure your travel dates won’t conflict with any anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, etc. Management’s irritation of having to reschedule your trip will be far less piercing than the disappointment of your friends and family members (and yourself) when you aren’t there for the important moments.
  • Research. Familiarize yourself with the area. If you’re someone who needs a good coffee and scone in the morning, you can use sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon to find the location of the nearest Starbucks or boutique coffee house. This is also a good way to begin familiarizing yourself and becoming comfortable with the surroundings before you arrive, which will make travel easier.
  • Decide how much personal income you can spend while on travel. Though some of us are lucky enough to have a company who provides a generous travel allowance, many of us are not, especially in tight economic times. Set a budget before you leave and stick to it.
  • Laptop dilemma. Most companies don’t allow you to use the company laptop for personal affairs. So what to do? Bring two? Of course not. Set up your home computer as a server that can be accessed remotely. LogMeIn’s software is simple to use and FREE. You will be able to access your home files without storing anything on the work laptop.
  • Unpack everything! When you get to the hotel, unload your entire suitcase. Hang your clothes up and put things in drawers; they are there for a reason. The idea is to make yourself at home and not have to touch your suitcase again until you pack up before leaving.
  • Make connections with people. Talk to the local people in the office about where to go and what to do. Chat with the concierge at the hotel or the barista at the coffee shop. Locals love to give advice about their city, and if you come across as a friendly out-of-towner and not an arrogant outsider, they’ll give you the goods on the best things to see and do.
  • Prioritize. Work comes first, but make a list of things you’d like to do in the city that you’re traveling to. Check online for art museums and shopping centers. Tell yourself you will visit at least one of these sites before you head home. So even if you end up in Chicago for the week of tedious meetings, make it a point to find a few hours of relaxation at the Art Institute.

Sure, nobody likes being told where to go, but if you follow these tips, you should be able to feel like your week of work was also a week filled with new sights and opportunities.

Practical Travel Accessories

June 25, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

When it comes to creating an essential list of travel items, it seems like everyone’s got a “best of” or “must have” litany of cool gadgets and gizmos. You could spend hours perusing Google on the subject and just barely crack the surface. But the fact is that for different people, different items are not necessarily just fun distractions, but are essential. You may not think the Headplay personal cinema system is essential, but for some people (like, if you’re Roger Ebert perhaps), it’s a must have. What to do? The Road Warrior has painstakingly perused these lists, pulled some of the most practical (but also cool) items for your consideration and saved you a truckload of time. You’re welcome.

  • The Gorillapod. This is on just about every travel geek’s hotlist, and for good reason. How many times have you and a significant other had a beautiful backdrop but had to take one of those awkward, goofy one-hand-holding-the-camera shots because nobody (trustworthy) was around to snap the picture? No more. The Gorillapod by Joby is made to accept most digital cameras and its flexible tripod legs will create a stable, level shot in just about any environment. It is truly the solution to your freestanding photo frustration.
  • Tiny LED flashlight. One of these should be a permanent fixture on your keychain, but if not, at least consider making them part of your travel pack. These come in handy so often you’ll wonder how you survived without them. You may even consider stepping up to a more powerful model. And if you really get the LED bug, there is even a whole subculture dedicated to illuming the world with, um, flashlights.
  • Pen and Paper. Yes, it might seem archaic, but many brilliant ideas have gone to waste and phone numbers have been forgotten a pen and paper weren’t handy. If you’re like David Lebovitz, you carry the stylish Moleskin notepads, which make you feel smarter and more sophisticated just by holding one.
  • Wineskins. If you’re like us, you usually like to bring home some of the local color (in the form of liquid), only problem is that you can’t bring that on carryon. Sure, we can still check bags, but do you really want to risk breaking your plunder and ruining all your clothes? With the wineskin, accidents might still happen, but at least you’ll have the peace of mind knowing everything is completely sealed, and your garments are safe.
  • Eddie Bauer Travel Umbrella. This is our favorite travel umbrella. Tiny enough to fit in your front pocket, but strong enough to last for years and be your regular everyday umbrella. You’ll never have to debate again whether to pack the umbrella.

Of course, the best tip we can give you is to choose a comfortable, convenient room at any of the nearly 700 Extended Stay Hotels across the United States and in Canada. Our in-room kitchens will save you time and money that you’d otherwise be spending dining out. And, an on-premise laundry facility means you won’t have to invest in the Travel Clothes Washer or dry cleaning service. And, thanks to our low nightly, weekly, and monthly rates, you’re next trip won’t break the bank.

Extended Stay Hotels - Last Minute Weekend Savings from 20% off

June 23, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 6/25 through 6/27) and next weekend (stays 7/2 through 7/4) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Orlando, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 6/25/2010 and 6/26/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $27.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $47.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 7/2/2010 and 7/3/2010

* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Dallas, TX- Rates from $29.99/night
* Salt Lake City, UT - Rates from $39.99/night
* See all Locations >

Travel Reading for Travelers

June 23, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

When we travel, we often like to pack a few things along to pass the time: mp3 players loaded with ten hours of music; a Frisbee or football to toss around, etc. But the number one pastime of most travelers is, of course, reading.

If you’re like me, however, you might have a hard time reading. When I travel, I can get preoccupied with the world and people around me, making it hard to focus on written words. That is, unless I have a really good book. A good story is something special, something able to capture our imagination and hold our attention more powerfully than any electronic device or environmental stimuli. So with that said, today’s Road Warrior’s tips and recommendations are about selecting great reading material for your next trip.

Some of the most exciting narratives in the literary world come from the genre known as Travel Writing. Whether it is nonfiction in the form of travel food diaries or novels such as the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain, the one constant theme of travel writing is the same: discovery. Furthermore, the Internet has opened a wonderful new gateway for travel writing. It only makes sense that exciting reading for travel is about, well, traveling!

A number of great travel blogs

 deal with many subjects, both specific and general to travel. Some of Road Warrior’s favorite blogs are not just about travel but the food that one encounters during travel. David Lebovitz’s writing is primarily about recipes, but he includes the stories of finding those recipes during his experiences traveling in France and Paris, and his writing style is sophisticated, funny and lighthearted. Oh, and the food always comes out delicious!

Classic travel novels should be a staple of any road warrior’s bookshelf, and we have more than a few to recommend. At the top of our list is anything by Mark Twain and Steinbeck’s Travels with Charlie. For some grittier, edgy stuff from the Beat Generation, check out Kerouac’s On the Road.

Contemporary travel novels are also great reads, and many deal with the adventure of both the natural and urban worlds, as well as the narrator’s attempt to make sense of them. The immensely popular Into the Wild is a good one to start with, but there are others, such as Bill Bryson’s The Lost Continent and Peter Jenkin’s Walk Across America that are equally compelling.

One of the great things about travel is that no matter where you are going, you can usually find a book written about the area. Travel writing gives you a great opportunity to build expectations and excitement, as well as become familiar with a region. In the hands of a good author, you will get a unique perspective, but of course, the experience that awaits you in a new land once you touch down, step off the bus or open up the car door, will always be fresh and new. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll do your own travel writing. In the mean time, you can always curl up with a good book in the comfort of your convenient and affordable Extended Stay hotel room.

Electronic Readers

June 17, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

In the middle ages, books were gigantic, illuminated behemoths that took years to make. In 1440, Guttenberg invented the printing press, the mass-market paperback (well, its early ancestor anyway) entered the marketplace and the world was forever changed. With the arrival of the Internet, books, like so many other things, are undergoing an identity crisis.

It seems that portable electronic reading technology has been out for a long time now, but how many people actually use it? Well, more than you think. And with more and more people becoming attuned to advanced electronics, digital immigrants are slowly fading. Why make the leap? Electronic reading devices are much less cumbersome than books, for starters, no matter how small you make the typeface or how thin the pages are. They are ideal for road warriors, because nobody wants to lug around thick, heavy novels, especially with the growing restrictions in airline luggage. But what’s the best way to read electronically? That’s a matter of personal choice, but with some sleuthing around, you’ll find the best for you.

  • Apple iPad. The iPad is probably the device that is going to drive the trend from paper to digital mediums in the reading world. We’re not the only people to claim this, but let’s just pretend you heard it here first. This multifunctional device is not just an eReader but also a digital media powerhouse. Apple has also launched the iBooks program through the Apple Store and has signed contracts to distribute works from most major publishing houses.

  • Subscription-based eReaders. The leader in this market is no longer the Kindle, as the Barnes & Noble Nook has overtaken it in sales. Both are similar devices, relatively speaking. The Kindle offers some snazzy features like being able to add annotations and bookmarking your pages, while the Nook has a better screen than the anachronistic monocolor Kindle. Here is a detailed comparison between these two main competitors. Also in this division are Sony’s line of Readers, which are sleek and stylish, but also pricey.

  • Smartphones. Our phones are managing all aspects of our lives, so why not add our reading habits to the list? Most phones are equipped with programs for reading most eBook formats right out of the box, and if they aren’t, there’s an app for it! Smartphones offer one huge plus over all the other competition: the convenience of having all your electronic devices centralized, but with their small screens, they do not create an easy reading space, especially for people with less than stellar eyesight.

While it should be noted that you must pay for many current eBooks, there are many online bookshelves for free download. A quick Google search will lead you in the right direction, but Road Warrior likes Bartleby and Free-eBooks the most.

If you are not ready to make the dive just yet into the eBook world, there is an easy and cheap way to put together a good old-fashioned travel-reading list. PaperbackSwap is an online community of lit lovers who trade their precious paperbacks (and some hardbacks) to one another without worrying about cost. It’s free to join, and you even get two free credits when you sign up. (That’s two free books!)

Four Great California Wine Destinations NOT in Sonoma or Napa

June 14, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Most of us know that California is renowned for its wines. Most have also heard of the Golden State’s two most famous viticulture regions: Napa and Sonoma. But outside these two regions, there are many more great wine destinations in the state, not just for the quality of the varietals, but also for the geographic surroundings and local hospitality.

Though summer is still a month away, the weather in California is better than ever, and today Road Warrior is giving you the low-down on four great California wine destinations that are NOT in the Sonoma or Napa valleys. The best part is that you’ll find an affordable Extended Stay Hotel conveniently located in or near each region.

California produces 90% of the country’s wine by volume, but quantity does not equate with quality. So what exactly makes California wine so great? The answer is a combination of climate, soil, and long tradition. Since Spanish missionaries arrived in the 1700s, vineyards have been a permanent fixture in California. Though vines eventually die, some in the state have been producing grapes since the 1850s, including some in the regions listed below.

  • Paso Robles. Located along the rustic central coast, the location of Paso Robles gives it ideal growing conditions. In recent years, Paso Robles has enjoyed a rise to prominence in the wine-growing world. Paso Zinfandels are routinely thumping their northern competitors, and because of the location halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, access is convenient for travelers. Another worthwhile attraction in the area is Hearst Castle in charming San Simeon.
  • Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation is unique among California wine regions. Nestled in the rolling terrain below trendy Los Gatos and above the counter-culture/surf Mecca of Santa Cruz, the vineyards of the region are all grown on hillsides. Due to its warm days and cool nights, the region produces top-notch Pinot Noirs. Wineries here tend to be small and family-owned, like the superb Testarossa Winery, which gives it a non-commercial charm, sometimes lacking in the larger, better-known regions.
  • Mendocino County. Mendocino is an environmentalist’s heaven. But even if being green isn’t your thing, you’ll still appreciate the beauty and quality of the 15,000 acres of vineyards, 25% of which are certified organic, with Fetzer Winery and Bonterra leading the way. Though a bit of a drive from the Bay Area, the region is ultra pristine and a delight for the senses.
  • Guenoc Valley. Located just thirty minutes from Napa, Guenoc Valley has the feeling of being remote and secluded without being too far from civilization. The designation was created especially for one winery, Langtry Estates (formerly Guenoc). This is one of the oldest wineries in the state, with vines planted over 150 years ago. It produces world-renowned wines that continuously pull in 90+ point ratings. While you’re visiting, be sure to stop by quaint Pope Valley Winery, just down the highway. Take a date for a day of relaxed, pastoral exploration. Chances are, you’ll be the only people on the road and at the wineries.

Even if wine isn’t your thing, just visiting each of these locations and their wineries is an experience to be savored.

Weekend Rates from $31.99/night - Extended Stay Hotels

June 9, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 6/11 through 6/13) and next weekend (stays 6/18 through 6/20) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, Washington, DC, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 6/11/2010 and 6/12/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $33.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $47.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 6/18/2010 and 6/19/2010

* Chicago, IL - Rates from $35.99/night
* New Orleans, LA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Raleigh/Durham, NC- Rates from $31.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $39.99/night
* See all Locations >

Which Travel Personality Type are You?

June 7, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

It might not seem like the most likely of testing grounds, but traveling with someone, whether he or she is a romantic interest, business associate or friend, can be one of the best ways to discover if you have compatible personalities. We’ve all heard stories of friendships (or even marriages) that turn sour after a terrible traveling experience, so learning to understand why these experiences happen may teach us a lot—not just about the other person, but about ourselves. Before you can gain insight into someone else’s personal traveling quirks, it’s first important to know what type of traveler YOU are.

According to the noted travel theorist Stanley Plog, there is a spectrum of personalities and expectations among travelers and tourists. At one end of the spectrum are the people who want “everything to go right.” These types like to go to posh resorts, lounge by the pool and enjoy a stress-free vacation. At the other end are people who enjoy the stress of high-paced travel, visit many locations, ride the local transportation and seek out the culture and customs of the locals. Either travel type is fine, of course, but they don’t always mesh well. The next time you’re traveling with someone, pay attention to the differences that might arise in such situations. For example:

  • How focused is the person on reaching the destination? Certainly we all want to get to where we are going, but is the person obsessed with unnecessarily getting to the airport three hours before the flight leaves? Will they not utter a word as they hustle through the train depot, an intense look in their eyes as they focus on some point in the distance even though boarding hasn’t begun? This could be a sign that the person is controlling and has high levels of anxiety.
  • How do they say goodbye? This might seem like a silly point of contention, but in what manner does the person express their regret for parting with you—brief or otherwise? Do they hug you tightly? Do they mention something fun that happened over the trip? Do they want to make plans to meet again? It might tell you something about how much they have valued the experience of traveling with you, and conversely, how much you valued it as well.

The list of interactions during travel is long, but each is an opportunity to discover something new about someone and about yourself. A good book for traveling with others is Nadine Davidson’s Travel With Others: Without Wishing They'd Stayed Home. It offers many tips not just for traveling with others but also for getting along with people in general. Hopefully, you will find people you enjoy traveling with and learn new things about them and yourself, but if you don’t, just know that in wanting to travel alone, you are, well, not alone. No matter whether you choose a going solo or traveling with a friend, one less stress you have to worry about is your lodging when you choose one a spacious studio suite at one of any of the nearly 700 Extended Stay Hotels.

The Hottest Symbian Travel Apps

June 3, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

We’ve covered travel applications for both the iPhone and the BlackBerry, and while it’s true these are the hottest smartphones on the market today, many people do not realize another operating system continues to be more popular than both these operating systems combined. We mean the Nokia Symbian/S60 platform, and though not quite as strong in the U.S. as in the rest of the world, particularly Europe where it enjoys a 60% control of the market, it is still a major player in the American market and will continue to be. One reason for Symbian remaining strong in the face of the iPhone/BlackBerry surge is because, of the three, it is the only one that is completely open source.

So, let’s take a look at the top travel applications for Symbian. Keep in mind that there are apps available for several different platforms, and Symbian is no different. Check out GetJar for a huge list of free Symbian applications.

  • Lonely Planet: As covered in a previous RW blog, Lonely Planet is the premier guide for millions of travelers in the world today. Use their application to find points of interest, places to eat and top picks from travel insiders.
  • PocketMetro: A very handy application for those of us who travel frequently in big cities and use the subway systems. One very nifty aspect of this application is that it does not require a data connection to compute routes; (obviously, if you are underground, you’re probably not going to have service). Never get lost again underground!
  • WorldMate: As mentioned in the BlackBerry blog, WorldMate is one of the top apps out there for any smartphone. It is basically an application “briefcase” containing many essential tools for the frequent traveler. From flight status checker to currency exchange calculator, to itinerary planning, WorldMate has it all. Though many features are free, you must sign up for the gold edition, which will give you full access. This application continues to be the most popular travel application available for any smartphone platforms.
  • amAze: If you’re not a fan of Google Maps, then try this free GPS application with high resolution imagery and itinerary planning software.
  • Fandango Movies: Don’t want to miss the premier of that movie you’ve been anticipating all summer long? Even if you’re traveling, you can find a theater, purchase tickets and write reviews, all from the comfort of, well, wherever you are standing with your phone.

For those of us who use Symbian, it’s important to remind ourselves that there are so many great applications out there even with the rise of the iPhone and BlackBerry. So the next time someone pulls out their little glossy black screen and waves it in your face, just pat the pocket holding your Nokia and reassure them, “Yes, I’ve got an app for that, too.”