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Rates from $30.99 /night - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
September 28, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 09/30 through 10/02) and next weekend (stays 10/07 through 10/09) 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 San Diego, Orlando, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore and many others.
For Arrival Dates 09/30/2011 and 10/01/2011
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* New Orleans, LA - Rates from $59.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $51.99/night
* Portland, OR - Rates from $45.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 10/07/2011 and 10/08/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Cincinnati, OH - Rates from $35.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
Staying Power-Full and Connected, Part 2
September 26, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
While maintaining battery charges in our phones, laptops, tablets and MP3 players is probably the most basic and vital issue as we travel, connectability is a close second. A lot of good it does to have all your charge bars lit with zero Internet bands. Free (or nominal charge) wireless service is available in many places, from hotels to cafes, airports to malls. But the service itself is not always optimal, and there are also those times when you don’t know where the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot is—or even if there is one nearby. That’s when having one of the following Wi-Fi gadgets comes in mighty handy.
Finding Wi-Fi Hotspots
JiWire Wi-Finder app has been out for a couple of years, though until recently it was only available for Apple devices. Now offering an Android version, the most recent update (June 2011) of JiWire is getting four-plus-star reviews from users. The free software works in over a hundred countries and provides constantly updated information on nearly half million Wi-Fi locations. While you’re traveling, you can search and get GPS directions on your phone to the nearest locations. Your searches can also be filtered by specific providers, locales (café, hotel, etc.) and cost. Those of us who like to have everything planned ahead of time can download Wi-Fi hotspot locations through JiWire before we even get on the road.
Bringing Your Own
Novatel’s MiFi devices, offered with carrier-specific coverage by the major phone coverage companies (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Virgin Mobile and Cellular South), have been the tried and true travel routers since they debuted in 2009, for those who do not yet have mobile phones that can create their own hotspots. Given the extreme battery drain of cellphone hotspot use, though, even many owners of these newer phones choose to have a separate wireless travel router, and Zyxel’s MWR211 Portable Router (under $100) has proven to be a hot item since its release in spring. Not tied to a specific carrier (and the user’s data plan with that carrier), the MWR211 router supports USB mobile broadband adapters as well as Ethernet, and they can be used in wireless or wired mode. Although it is a little thicker than the MiFi, the device can still be easily tucked into a laptop or tablet case.
Getting Stronger Signals
Whether you’re using your own Wi-Fi device or connecting to a public source, finding the strongest signal is important, which is where FarProc’s WiFi Analyzer can help. This Android app gives you real-time signal strength readings, including channel bandwidth ratings to help you pick the best for your own router. You can also gather information on the various signals’ stability and security. The app’s signal meter can even let you know where in your hotel room (or home) you’ll get the best signal.
Staying Connected with the Office Computer
When you’re on the road with a small tablet or laptop, you may find that you need access to certain electronic files that are only on your office computer. Or perhaps you don’t even have a computer with you at all—just your cell phone—but you want to check on something back on the office machine. Virtual network computing software can make all of that pretty easy, and the mobile device leader in this field is RealVNC. The company offers free and paid software to allow remote access between devices, even between different operating systems (e.g., Windows and OSX). With the Viewer app (available for both Android and iPhone), you can be another step closer to single-device, full connectability while on the road!
Weekend Nights from $35.99 - Extended Stay Hotels
September 21, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 09/23 through 09/25) and next weekend (stays 09/30 through 10/02) 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 San Diego, Denver, Orlando, Chicago, Boston and many others.
For Arrival Dates 09/23/2011 and 09/24/2011
* San Diego, CA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $63.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 09/30/2011 and 10/01/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Tampa, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Detroit, MI - Rates from $36.99/night
* Raleigh/Durham, NC - Rates from $36.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $37.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
Staying Power-Full and Connected, Part 1
September 19, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
We could start with something about getting a charge out of travel or any number of other bad puns, but we’ll spare you (well, okay, we did just slip one in). In point of fact, keeping our cell phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices juiced up is serious business—literally. It can also be a huge hassle, not to mention enormously expensive if you succumb to the sales pitches all over the Internet for battery chargers that don’t really give you much of a charge (oops, sorry—couldn’t resist). We’ve weeded through a number of these to come up with a few that get solid reviews as well as a caution or two—from techies and us average-folk users.
Charging Centers
Everyone’s experienced the find-another-outlet scramble when trying to charge multiple devices. Add to that the untangling and sorting of USB cords before plugging in, and you have a recipe for irritation. A great compromise to the problem of needing multiple outlets and cords for all your electronics is a charging center—a compact device containing up to six charging stations or docks to which can be attached manufacturer-specific adapters (sold separately). Two of the top charge centers out are Callpod’s Chargepod and Chargepod V2. Chargepod is designed for phones, MP3 players, cameras, gaming and other mobile devices. Compatible with over 3,000 models, it is less than three inches around and under two ounces. With its ability to work through a wall outlet or a car charger, the Chargepod is perfect for travel. Almost as compact is the Chargepod V2 (about $200). It’s powerful enough to recharge laptops (PC and Mac compatible), e-readers and portable DVD players, as well as cell phones and other smaller electronic devices.
(Almost) No Wires Charging Pads
No wonder the dream of a universal charging pad remains strong. With these “wireless” (you do have to plug in the pad itself) charging pads, you can drop your phone onto the surface without fumbling for a charging cord and connection. The problem with the existing charging pads like MyGrid, WildCharge and Powermat (this one tends to get the best reviews) is that they still rely on pad-specific contact charging, meaning that you need to switch out the standard back panels of your devices for the special backs (also called clips, sleeves or doors, depending on the manufacturer) designed to receive the charge from the mat. In most cases, these replacement backs are thicker and not especially aesthetically pleasing. Still, for some users, the convenience of not having to always fumble with wires and connections is worth the $75-$100 that charging pads run. And the pads’ lightweight and generally modest sizes mean travelers can easily pack the charging pad to plug in at their hotel.
Wireless Portable Chargers
Of course, the ultimate in wireless charging is solar units. These are handy if you are both in a sunny location and away from any outlets. However, because they charge very slowly and are often expensive, most reviewers and users are waiting for technology to catch up to practical needs. There are, however, battery operated chargers (including some with rechargeable batteries) that can give you fast and efficient charging capabilities when you’re on the go. Again, Callpod comes home with a couple of winners in their Fueltank chargers (UNO at $50 and DUO at $70), according to the top tech review site CNET. They may sound a bit pricey, but because they run on rechargeable lithium ion batteries, you’re going to get a lot of use. Additionally, you’ll be relatively environmentally friendly at the same time!
20% Off - Weekend Stays at Extended Stay Hotels
September 14, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 09/16 through 09/18) and next weekend (stays 09/23 through 09/25) 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, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and many others.
For Arrival Dates 09/16/2011 and 09/17/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $45.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 09/23/2011 and 09/24/2011
* Sacramento, CA - Rates from $33.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Miami, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $63.99/night
* St. Louis, MO - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >
Take a Hike: Treks Within Reach of Big Cities
September 12, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So, one of you loves the bustle of the metropolis, and the other craves nature’s solitude and peace. How do you plan a vacation destination that appeals to both of you? Or maybe your business travel always takes you to big cities, but you’d sure like to be able to get away from it all and into the wilderness after two and a half days of nonstop meetings. What are your options? Finding the answer to both questions is easier than you might think. Most major metropolitan areas are within easy distance of great day hikes, and there are a number of hiking guides tailored to such excursions.
City-Specific Guides
FalconGuide’s Best Easy Day Hikes and Best Hikes Near series cover cities and regions all over the country. Each guide focuses on a particular place (e.g., Salt Lake City, Chicago, San Diego) and then provides trail maps, directions, difficulty levels and information about dozens of hikes within easy reach (no more than a couple of hours driving distance). Much more than just maps or lists, the small books also include all sorts of details in regards to local history, flora and fauna. A similar series is 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles, written by Christopher and Catherine Brooks, with titles covering over a dozen metropolitan areas including Minneapolis-St. Paul, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nashville and New York City.
Guides to Kid-Friendly Trails
Moon Press also has a near-the-city series of hiking guides, Take a Hike (Washington D.C., Portland, Boston, etc.), written by experienced outdoor enthusiasts for hikers of all ages and abilities. Each of their books includes a collection of best hikes to take with kids in the area. And for fully kid-focused guides, check out the Best Hikes with Children series. Though not solely focused on hikes within or near big cities, the state- and region-specific books do include many easy-to-reach sites. Each includes tips for helping kids, even as young as toddlers, enjoy the whole hiking experience, as well as fun facts about the specific trails and areas.
For more tips and strategies for hiking with kids, the Internet is also, of course, a great resource. A couple of recommended sites are outdoor equipment retailer REI’s page on “Kids and Hiking” (including tips shared from parents as well as pros) and “Just Jeff’s Hiking Page,” which is “just” a parent sharing lots of great experience and ideas.
Guides for Trekking with Canine Companions
Traveling with a dog means making sure he or she gets plenty of exercise (which isn’t such a bad thing for us, either), and sometimes, that’s tougher when you’re staying in a big city. Your fellow dog lovers have come to the rescue, though, with in- and near-city hiking guides that detail trails and locales especially suited to canines and their families.
By hiking all over the city, Long Island and the Hudson Valley with her own dog, Sienna, Tammy McCarley’s Best Hikes with Dogs: New York City and Beyond is one such book, chockfull of what she, a canine travel company owner, has learned about the best trails (at varied levels of difficulty) as well as useful equipment and first aid information. Other volumes in the Best Hikes with Dogs series cover more than a dozen other cities, regions and states, including Arizona, Southern California, Oregon, Boston and the Texas Hill Country. Another series to check out is the thirty-plus-volume Doggin’ collection, on such locations as Cleveland, Pittsburg, Massachusetts and the Carolina coast.
Remember, too, that many hiking guides are available in electronic form, so if your gotta-take-along items include a Kindle, Nook, smartphone or tablet, you can have all this information almost weightlessly at your fingertips.
Save 20% - Select Weekends at Extended Stay Hotels
September 7, 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 09/09 through 09/11) and next weekend (stays 09/16 through 09/18) 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 San Jose, Denver, Chicago, Portland, Austin and many others.
For Arrival Dates 09/09/2011 and 09/10/2011
* San Jose, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $43.99/night
* Portland, OR - Rates from $45.99/night
* Austin, TX - Rates from $31.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >
For Arrival Dates 09/16/2011 and 09/17/2011
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $34.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $30.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $37.99/night
* See all locations >
