we are kindred spirits when it comes to selecting lodging to save money on food expenses
when we travel I try my best to get lodging at places that include (1) complimentary breakfast, (2) mini fridge in room, and (3) microwave/wet bar in room (my family also likes it if the place does free fresh cookies in the evening
). having these in place can save us loads on food expenses.
we bring along our drinks, and some food items but I've also usually scoped out what grocery stores I'm familiar with (national chains) that are in proximity to the hotel. i'll stop and grab some more substantial items to put in the fridge (cold deli fried chicken or chicken strips, deli salad or soup are popular with my family) along with some milk (we do low fat milk in our coffee, and I've got one kid who doesn't eat breakfast but loves cereal in the evening so she grabs a bowl at the breakfast buffet, leaves it dry and puts it in the room to eat later on).
some evenings we just want to eat out but it's not usually an expensive place, so in the morning or the evening before I go on-line to see if the place has a website with any kind of promotional deals OR if they have an e-club. many let you sign up and within an hour or two send an initial printable coupon for a free appetizer or even a free meal w/the purchase of another