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You can Still Get Your Kicks on Route 66

August 31, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Before President Dwight Eisenhower initiated the interstate highway system, the American traveler used one very important route to get to the infamous West Coast. That highway was the historic U.S. Route 66. For decades, Route 66 enjoyed a legendary status with American tourists. Beginning in Chicago, Route 66 provided travelers with a means to travel south to Oklahoma City and then west to Santa Monica, California. On this route, they could travel through large cities, visit unusual sites and stay in well-kept motor lodges and campgrounds.

Today, Route 66 is less of a lifeline for travel than it is a historic byway. Nevertheless, if you are seeking a great theme for a unique road trip, there are a few not-to-be-missed sites along what was once Route 66. Luckily, some of the original route overlaps major highways, particularly Interstate 40. Therefore, road warriors can still travel small portions of the old route without sacrificing the modern conveniences of the interstate system.

Traveling southwest from Chicago, the first major site that you should see is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. Completed in 1965, the Arch celebrated Americans’ westward migration. At the top of the Arch, you will be able to see for 30 miles and have spectacular views of the mighty Mississippi River, once a critical travel route for Americans during the age of the steamboat. Make sure to visit the Museum of Westward Expansion, located beneath the Arch. The museum details the westward expansion of the nineteenth century, with a focus on the explorations of Lewis and Clark.

Once you trek farther south, you will notice that many interesting tourist sites are throwbacks to the bygone days of station wagons and tee-pee shaped motels. In Clinton, Oklahoma, you can’t miss the Route 66 Museum. There, you will get a fascinating picture of the route’s relevance throughout sixty years of motor travel. After your audio tour, pick up some classic curios to take to your friends back home.

When you hit Shamrock, Texas, you must stop and take a peek at the historic Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café. Tower Station was once a Conoco filling station. U-Drop Inn Café, on the other hand, was, of course, a classic diner for motorists to “drop in” and have a bite to eat. Today, the buildings house the city’s chamber of commerce and a visitor center. If you want to see a perfect example of art-deco architecture, you absolutely should “drop in” and see these great structures!

When you get to Arizona, be sure to take time to visit Meteor Crater. Everyone goes to the Grand Canyon, but if you want to see something just as remarkable, your itinerary should definitely include this spot. Meteor Crater is exactly what you think it is: a giant crater created by a meteor thousands of years ago. While there, take the walking tour around the crater’s rim and check out the real Apollo capsule that sits outside of the visitor center.

As you continue westward toward the Pacific, you will encounter many sites. These sites once attracted tourists on the old Route 66. While much of this significant highway was gobbled up by modern interstates, numerous unique landmarks remain for travelers to enjoy today. And, thanks to the comfort and convenience you’ll experience at any of the Extended Stay Hotels along the way, you still can get your kicks on Route 66.

Extended Stay Hotels Last Minute Weekend Deals - from $23.99/night

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

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 8/27 through 8/29) and next weekend (stays 9/3 through 9/5) 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, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 8/27/2010 and 8/28/2010

* Orlando, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 9/3/2010 and 9/4/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $23.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from 43.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all Locations >

Games for the Road

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

Lots of us loves a good road trip. Some people jump in their cars and drive a few hours to reach a favorite getaway. Others load up their minivans or Winnebago campers to head out for a long quest of sightseeing. The freedom to move about, to enjoy adventure and to relish the company of friends and family are all motivations in taking to the open road, and they are all quintessential themes of the American Dream. While not all road trips are created equally, they are part of a tradition that is as American as apple pie.

Today, traveling the open road has never been easier. With portable DVD players, iPods, and TomTom GPS systems, parents seldom hear the old question, “Are we there yet?” Modern gadgets have made long-distance travel much easier than it was twenty years ago. Still, undertaking a road trip should also incorporate fun that does not always require a power source.

If you are planning a road trip for your family, pack some games that will allow your children to have a complete experience. And there’s nothing that achieves this goal more than a board game or two. If you are wondering about what you should pack, the following three brands offer the best for car travel. Kids of all ages will love these games, no matter what road you take!

Of course, any board game used in the car should meet two key requirements. First, it must have some magnetic components that prevent pieces from getting lost in the car. Second, a game should be small enough for road travel

Zobmondo has one of the best travel games for the entire family. “Would You Rather?” is a game where players answer a question like: “Would you rather have four thumbs or five index fingers?” The answers are often hilarious, and it creates a great way for the whole family to bond. Travelers can purchase this pocket-sized game from Amazon.com for less than $12.

Go Games, made by Magnetic Poetry, offers both convenience and fun for families taking to the road. From Go Hangman to Go Checkers, kids and adults will enjoy any of these great games. Most significantly, all of them have magnetic pieces, so the chances of your children losing essential components are slim! These games all cost less than $10 and are available for purchase on the company’s site. You can also purchase them new on Amazon for around the same price. If you want to save a few dollars, though, consider searching for the gently used versions on Amazon.

Remember the days of sitting in the backseat and calling out license plates from different states? Now, your kids can enjoy the same thing with the U.S.A. License Plate Game by Melissa and Doug, a popular brand for the youngsters. While Melissa and Doug also sells other educational games and toys, the license plate game allows your children to plot your trip’s course and to match cars’ plates with their home states. Running around $19.99 on the company’s site, the game can also be purchased from Amazon for about $14 (not including shipping and handling).

All of these brands offer something for the entire family. No matter what brand you choose to take on your wanderings, your family will benefit from the experience of playing good old fashioned board games.

The Best Mexican Food in Texas

August 19, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

It’s no secret; Texans love everything about the Lone Star State. They love their football teams. They love the bluebonnets that line the highways in April. They also love a mean barbecue brisket for dinner. Of course, there is one thing that Texans love just as much as their barbecue and football. They absolutely cannot get enough of their Mexican-style restaurants.

Any visitor to the state would be hard-pressed not to find an authentic Mexican restaurant in even the smallest Texas towns. The state’s larger cities, however, also have incredible Mexican-style restaurants that offer their own twists on old favorites. If you are like the thousands of visitors who travel through Texas each month, you might want to check out the following restaurants. All offer great atmospheres, exceptional food and a chance to sample a very important part of Texas culture.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

The area that comprises the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is massive. Undoubtedly, it has endless opportunities to sample any kind of food that you could possibly want. Abuelo’s, however, is the absolute best Mexican restaurant in town. The authenticity of the food is symbolized in the restaurant’s name: abuelo means grandfather in Spanish. Abuelo is a restaurant that prides itself on serving traditional Mexican meals from recipes passed down through generations as well as contemporary interpretations of fine Mexican food. In the past few years, Abuelo’s has expanded into other states. However, this fabulous restaurant is a Texas staple in cities like Austin, Amarillo, College Station and the Metroplex. If you dine here, order the chile con queso as a starter, and make sure to try a spinach enchilada as a side dish.

Austin

From the hipster travelers who go to Austin for events like Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest festivals to the University of Texas Longhorns fans who stay in the state’s capital for game day, Austin is, without a doubt, the coolest city in the state. Its best Mexican restaurant is equally unique.

Trudy’s is a Tex-Mex staple in Austin. Regular visitors to the city often flock there for happy hour to sip on top-shelf tequila, Mexican martinis or Lone Star Beer. They also love Trudy’s original stuffed avocado. This favorite dish consists of a deep-fried avocado that is stuffed with chicken and cheese. The stuffed avocado, along with Trudy’s quirky atmosphere, makes this a great place to sample some interesting takes on traditional Mexican fare.

Houston

El Tiempo Cantina is a little piece of Mexico transplanted right in Houston’s Inner Loop area. This spot is the perfect place to meet professionals of all ages, eat delicious food and enjoy Houston’s classiest Mexican restaurant. Located exclusively in Houston at three locations (on Richmond, Washington and Montrose), this hacienda-style joint has the strongest margaritas and the most delicious chile con queso in town. If you are not too adventurous about your Mexican food, you can try the cheese enchiladas; they have morsels of brisket in them and are incredible! From its Mexican-themed atmosphere to its delicious and large portions, El Tiempo has it all. Just be willing to wait for a table at any of the locations, especially on a Friday night. Of course, the wait never feels that long when sipping an El Tiempo margarita!

Amarillo/Lubbock Area

Not every visitor to Texas gets to spend their stay in one of the state’s larger cities. The majority of people who pass through the Texas Panhandle on I-40 will drive through Amarillo, which is big, though not as large as Houston or Dallas. If you also happen to be traveling through the Panhandle at some point, and have a hankering for down-home Mexican cuisine, you’re in luck.

You won’t find El Tejavan on the Internet; it does not have a Web site. However, as reviews on Urban Spoon illustrate, the locals absolutely love its authentic Mexican fare. If you want the best in Amarillo, El Tejavan is the place to stop. The most popular dish here is the Caldo de Res. It’s like a beef stew with squash, rice and carrots. It is so popular that if you don't get there by noon on cold winter days, it’s gone. The other favorites are the guisado puerco (a type of pork stew with either red or green sauce, beans, rice and guacamole), the chile rellenos and the barbacoa tacos.

Overall, if you want authentic Mexican food, you can find it right off of any Texas highway. However, if you want the BEST Mexican food, try out one of the places mentioned here. Additionally, if you happen to be traveling through Texas and need a place to stay, any of these spots are conveniently located near Extended Stay Hotels.

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Last-Minute Weekend Deals: Extended Stay Hotels from $23.99/night

August 18, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 8/20 through 8/22) and next weekend (stays 8/27 through 8/29) 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, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 8/20/2010 and 8/21/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $42.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $37.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 8/27/2010 and 8/28/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $23.99/night
* Orlando, FL- Rates from $31.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all Locations >

The Best Margaritas in Houston

August 16, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Some like it on the rocks with salt. Others prefer it frozen without salt. Of course, no one knows exactly how or where the modern margarita originated. Many do not even understand that a margarita goes through a process that starts with the agave plant in Mexico and ends in a cold cocktail glass at Happy Hour. Let’s face it; most of the time, margarita enthusiasts just love to indulge in the incredible mix of tequila, triple sec and lime that sits on the table in front of them.

No matter how you want your margarita, if you live in Houston or are in the Bayou City for a visit, you may have crossed paths with this Happy Hour favorite a time or two. If you have not found that perfect place to sip an ice-cold margarita in Houston just yet, here are a few valuable tips on the best Happy Hour spots in town!

Like any major metropolitan area, Houston is home to many first-class bars and some of the best Mexican food in Texas. Fortunately for the thirsty Houston traveler, some of the best margaritas in the state just happen to be in the city’s “Inner Loop,” or that part of Houston that is inside Interstate 610. Each of the following spots lead the pack, offering Happy Hour revelers a unique atmosphere, tasty margaritas and the opportunity to meet new and interesting people.

Taco Milagro is located off of Kirby and offers an affordable margarita with an atmosphere that reminds customers more of Cancun than Houston. Its outside patio is the largest in the city. Colorful umbrellas, palm trees and a fountain are perfect backdrops for the beautiful people who congregate at this bar, which happens to be in Houston’s upper-crust River Oaks area. You’ll enjoy margaritas, live music, sunshine and Taco Milagro’s first-class tequila bar. Just make sure you bring your sunglasses if it’s sunny; the reflection of the sun off of the large fountain can be very bright!

Café Adobe offers something that few other margarita spots embody: ambience AND selection. While this popular Happy Hour spot proclaims that it has Houston’s best margarita, its original take on the classic frozen concoction makes it a true winner. At its five locations, Café Adobe offers everything from guava-flavored libations to El Patron margaritas. Customers can also partake in the low-carb Skinny Margarita. If you want a place to chill out with a large group of friends, even on a Sunday afternoon, Café Adobe is the place. Road Warrior prefers the River Oaks.

Located conveniently next to I-10 on Shepherd, the Cadillac Bar is one of those places that you know has a great reputation with locals, particularly when you see the degree of diversity in its customers that other Mexican restaurants lack. These loyal customers know that this place is the city’s best-kept open secret, and they frequently drop by for a good margarita and a great bite of food. For those who want to see the laid-back side of H-town, Cadillac is just a stone’s throw from the Heights, a great neighborhood to just kick back and relax without worrying about impressing anyone.

Chuy’s rounds out the list. This popular Texas chain, however, is hardly last place. Offering one of the city’s cheapest Happy Hour margaritas in Houston, Chuy’s is in the Upper Kirby neighborhood and has an All-American take on the state’s Mexican food offerings. In an atmosphere that blends a 1950s diner ambience with unique dishes like the Chuychanga, Chuy’s is really in a class by itself. And if you’re a big Elvis fan, you’re really going to love the shrine to the King.

Overall, these places are tried-and-true Happy Hour destinations. While they have not cornered the market on the margarita, they each provide the right atmosphere, a few delicious treats, and superb drinks. So, if you’re in Houston for a visit and want to sample a real taste of Texas, check out any of these spots. Just remember to drink responsibly. Houston’s public transportation system is lacking, and the city is very spread-out, so take a cab. Margarita connoisseurs who appreciate comfort, convenience, and value should be sure to check out any of the nearby Extended Stay Hotels throughout the city.

Healthy Eating in the Airport, in the Air

August 13, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Eating organic and natural foods has never been easier than it is today. It seems that almost every supermarket and many restaurants have organic options for the health-conscious consumer. The benefits of eating organically are obvious: the food is fresher (it must be, since it has no preservatives), better for you because it is 100% free of chemical fertilizers, hormones, and pesticides and better for the planet. Perhaps the most subjective benefit of all is better taste. Of course there are always the naysayers who question if there really is a difference, who believe that only marginal health benefits of natural and organic foods exist and perhaps even go so far as to think that the whole thing is a marketing scheme. The vast majority of nutritionists, executive chefs, doctors and even the federal government, however, would disagree with them.

Many people have caught the natural and organic food bug, and the market is now responding to the demand in new ways. For travelers who don’t have time to pack their own food but still want to eat healthily, here is a handy list of the best airlines and airport restaurants that serve up all things wholesome.

As much as critics decry an airline’s stinginess in not serving free meals on most flights anymore, it is also true that passengers have many more options if they’re willing to spend the extra money.

  • United Airlines has started serving organic snacks to tide you over on the shorter flights. Additionally, United offers salads and sandwiches that, while not organic, are still nutritious and satisfying.
  • Virgin America has long been recognized as one of the best in airline food. The options sound great on paper, but it’s really the taste and quality of the food that counts. You might not be getting total organic with Virgin, but you can be sure it’s a cut above the rest of the domestic airlines when it comes to healthiness.

Once you touch down, assuming you still have room under your belt, here are a few of the best healthy and organic options at major U.S. airports.

  • Todd English’s Bonfire at JFK and Boston Logan airports. The cuisine has an international flair, and the chefs use extremely fresh and often organic ingredients.
  • San Francisco Soup Company at SFO. Offering several soups made with organic ingredients and served up with fresh baked San Francisco sourdough bread, this is Road Warrior’s favorite quick meal at SFO. We recommend the organic savory lentil with Andouillie chicken sausage.
  • French Meadow at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. One of Minneapolis’s favorite healthy eateries has an expansive selection of organic vegan and vegetarian meals in addition to their award-winning baked goods.

If you’re the type of person who longs for a home-cooked meal prepared just the way you like it, you can always check into a well-equipped studio suite at your favorite Extended Stay Hotels location. There you can have control over what you eat by taking advantage of the full refrigerator with freezer, stovetop, and microwave oven.

Top Six Android Apps for Road Warriors

August 12, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

A couple of months ago, we ran several entries on the best travel apps for the iPhone, Blackberry and Symbian(Nokia) based phones, and now it’s time to cover apps for another very rapidly growing operating system: Android. Driven by new potent phoneslike HTC’s Evo and the Google Nexus One, in just the last few months, Android users have grown exponentially, by some estimates even overtaking the iPhone. So with all the hubbub, Road Warrior decided it’s time to give Android its due and create a list of the top travel applications that you can use on your ultra cool smart phones.

Like Symbian, Android is also an open source operating system, which allows for an abundance of free applications. If you’ve owned both an iPhone and a Blackberry, you’ll notice that many of the apps for each phone are the same. With Android, you have the choice of many unique programs that you cannot get for any other phone, and we’re going to show you our favorites. Best of all, these apps are all free!

  • Google Goggles. Leave it to the geniuses at Google to create something this incredible. With Goggles, you can snap a picture of any object, building, painting, wine bottle, printed text and much more, and the application will match the picture to the stored Google database, and it will give you search results. All without touching your keypad. Watch the instructional video and prepare to have your world rocked!

  • Where. Where is like having a friendly local traveling side by side with you, able to answer any question you might have. The application determines your location and then lets you select from a potpourri of options that are within distance: you might want to know where the best after-work bar is or what traffic is like on the interstate—even where the cheapest gas is. Where shows you where it’s at.

  • Taxi Magic. Before Taxi Magic, it was not tough to get yourself a cab using a cell phone. However, now you can book a cab directly from your phone without placing a call. Just enter your location and within minutes you’ll receive a message letting you know a cab has been dispatched. This application is great for people who cannot make voice calls, such as the deaf and hard of hearing.

  • Google Maps with Navigation. This is the next generation of Google Maps, which transforms the already wildly popular app into a stand-alone GPS service. You can bet the folks at TomTom and Garmin are freaking out right about now.

  • Waze. Waze calls itself a “social mobile application.” It provides turn-by-turn travel information by accessing a network of users who report on current conditions of the roads. If you’re trying to beat the plane out of the gate and an accident occurs just up the road, Waze will safely guide you to a new route and get you on your way before the headache begins.

  • Star Translate. A translation tool should be in any international traveler’s app briefcase, but Star Translate takes it up a step by syncing it with your text messages and mobile email. You can meet a foreign speaking friend, and using Star Translate you can be on the road to friendly communication in no time.

No matter what sort of smart phone you use or which apps are your favorites, Extended Stay Hotels’ new mobile site, mobile.ExtendedStay.com, makes booking your next hotel on your mobile device a breeze. Give it a whirl today.

Traveling by Train

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

In the United States, when we think of traveling long distances (or even short distances), the predominant option that pops into our mind is airline travel. But in recent years, with the increased hassles of flying (security lines) and the ever-diminishing amenities provided by airlines (paying for checked luggage!?), travelers are beginning to turn back to another source of transportation. Train travel has a long history in the U.S., but unless you’re a daily commuter riding to and from the suburbs, you probably wouldn’t consider a train to get from point A to point B. Well, it’s time to change that thinking. Train travel is experiencing a rejuvenation not seen since the rise of commercial airlines.

You have two options when traveling by train: traditional rail and high-speed rail (HSR). In Europe, Japan, China and much of the rest of the industrialized world, HSR is widespread and often the transportation method of choice for many travelers. In the United States, HSR is limited to just one route on the East Coast: the Acela Express. Upon taking office, President Obama announced a bold plan to introduce high-speed rails all across the country, connecting many widely used routes across the country.

Despite the U.S.’s delay in joining the HSR transportation popularity, the country still possesses an extensive traditional rail network, and if you’re the patient, earthbound type, it can still be a good mode to choose.

Amtrak operates virtually all long distance rail service in the United States, and Road Warrior needs to be honest when he says that if you’re expecting a lightning fast, ultra cheap form of transportation, Amtrak isn’t always for you. But what Amtrak lacks in speed, it makes up for in amenities. Amtrak offers:

  • Electrical outlets at most seats on most trains, with ongoing upgrades
  • Free Wi-Fi on some routes, and coming soon to many more
  • Café cars with alcoholic beverages and decent (read: better than airline) food
  • Very comfortable seats and lots of leg room
  • Little security hassle
  • Destinations usually located in downtown metropolitan areas

Not all Amtrak routes are logical choices (the Chicago to Washington DC line takes close to 18 hours, whereas a flight would be two hours), but for some city-to-city regional destinations, the train is definitely your best choice. For example: Chicago to Indianapolis is five hours or less by train but only costs 20 dollars. When you consider that a flight between cities is usually several hours, and that you will typically spend an hour in airports (combined time in arrival and departure airports), and that you will spend varying amounts of time getting through security, the train option starts looking attractive. Of course, just as with airlines, trains can be delayed as well. Some routes are more prone to delays than others are, but in some cases, you may prefer a delay at a train station, where you can exit the station and find something to do until your train arrives.

As far as a carbon footprint goes, traveling by train generates less carbon dioxide than air or car travel. Amtrak participates in environmentally conscious practices and conservation measures and is committed to increasing improved energy and fuel efficiency.

Whether you decide to choose train travel as an environmentally friendly mode of travel, or you want to take the scenic route for a change or you’re a daily train commuter, you’ll be happy to know that Extended Stay Hotels has many locations conveniently located near train stations throughout the U.S.

How to Handle Travel Set Backs - Losing a Wallet or Phone

August 6, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

You’ve just stepped off the Chicago El and are gazing up at the majesty of the John Hancock Building towering above the magnificent mile. Michigan Street is bustling with people, sounds and smells. You want to take it all in and capture this moment forever, so you reach for your camera in your backpack. Wait a second, where is your backpack? Suddenly you realize you’ve left it on the El. It’s gone, sayonara, arrivederci, and along with it, so is your phone, wallet and chewing gum. The John Hancock Building suddenly seems less appealing and your travel plans are ruined.

Fortunately, the above situation is the exception rather than the rule. Most of us take great care to watch over our belongings and bodies when we are traveling, but accidents and crimes can happen. No matter where you travel, the possibilities of experiencing a travel misfortune are real and require diligence in taking measures to minimize the effects of such situations. Today’s Road Warrior tips are about something we don’t want to think about but should prepare for nonetheless: how to handle two specific travel adversities: losing your wallet and losing your phone.  As is true of most travel difficulties, the best thing you can do to avoid them is to take precautionary measures before you even leave your home:

  • Put together a travel kit that includes copies of all your vital information: driver’s license, passport, bank and credit card contact information, doctor’s numbers, medical conditions, etc. and entrust it with someone in your home or with a close friend so that you can have access to it in the event you need it while away from home. Be sure to include current flight numbers and itinerary info every time.
  • Buy travel insurance. This will protect you in a range of situations, from hospitalization costs to missed flight costs to stolen luggage or property.

If you lose your wallet or credit cards:

  • The first thing to do is go to the nearest police department and file a police report. This might not get you your wallet back, but it proves to credit agencies that you were diligent right away. Additionally, report the loss to all your credit card agencies (refer to your list of contact numbers).
  • Keep an emergency fund back at the hotel. Set aside a hundred dollars in cash (or more, depending on your funds and necessities) and a credit card, and keep it in the hotel safe or hidden somewhere in your room. For your convenience in such a situation, all Extended Stay Hotels locations are equipped with safe-deposit boxes at the front desk.
  • Consider carrying traveler’s checks in lieu of cash. Be sure to purchase the checks directly from the issuing bank, as there are fraud schemes perpetrated by resellers. In the event that your checks are lost or stolen, you can typically get a refund within 24 hours, assuming you have the original receipt and identification. Therefore, it is wise to keep both a form of photo identification and the receipt in a different place than where you keep the checks.

If you lose your cell phone:

  • For some of us, especially if we’re on business travel, this could be the biggest of all disasters. Before you leave, make a backup list of your contacts. Many smart phones, including the iPhone allow you to export your contact lists to a computer file and print them out. If your phone doesn’t export, copy down the most important contacts and keep them with your traveling documents. In this era of automatic number retrieval, this is a good habit for all of us to get in, not just when we travel. Nothing would be worse than losing your phone and then realizing you don’t even know your spouse’s phone number by heart.
  • Buy a prepaid phone. You can purchase these at many locations, including drug stores and wireless outlets for minimal costs. It might not be your iPhone 4, but it could hold you over for the duration of your trip.
  • Once you do get access to a new phone, call your cellular provider and report your phone as lost or stolen. A temporary hold will be placed on your account so that anyone who does find the device can’t make unauthorized calls.