Budget or Luxury vacation?

[adamak]

Are you a budget traveller or a luxurious one? Would you try to save as much as possible during the trip, or save a lot prior to it so you can go all the way when you're on one?

I found myself becoming a luxury traveller. I only get 2 weeks of vacation each year, and I just can't tolerate Motel 6 anymore (esp after experiencing Four Season. )

And I'm feeling so guilty!!!

 

[*Flower*]

Don't feel bad!!

We started going to Disney by staying at Motel 6- graduated to the Shoney's Inn, then the Hyatt Orlando and after that... Shades of Green.
We've now graduated to Shades, Swan/Dolphin, Contemporary Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

However, I make sure that we don't live beyond our means..

 

[Grog]

I guess it depends on what I'm going to be doing. If it's Disney, and I'm going to be taking it easy (I'm a reformed Theme Park Commando), then it's luxury. If it's a trip where I plan to pack in a lot of sights, museums, etc, then luxury doesn't matter as much because I probably won't be in the hotel as often.

 

[Angelrose]

We sleep cheap when we go to Disney (off property) and spend the money on souvenirs and pins. LOL

 

[SplshMtn99]

Becoming luxury ----but ONLY with every discount possible.

I hate to pay full price for anything. Bargains make me happy!!!

Shades of Green; Beach Club with 40% off; military discount whenever possible surely beats out a AAA or Entertainment discount on most hotels.....

DH volunteered to give up seat on an overweight flight....and got a $1000 voucher ====which he turned into 5 flights -- of course all to Florida over a couple of years.

Awesome rental car discounts.

Rewards programs for discounts on park tickets.

Our friends think we are rolling in $.. LOL ....IF THEY ONLY KNEW!!!!

 

[katerkat]

We generally sleep cheap and spend the money on food. But we don't mind splurging for luxury when we can. We had a very nice room for our honeymoon, which was good considering the amount of time spent in the room. Disney, well, I want to spend every minute in the parks, so we'll forsake a great hotel room if it means more days for the parks.

 

[Mishetta]

I am a hotel snob. My DH will only take me to Sheraton's & Marriott's, except for Disney, I will stay at ASMovies (because that's where my DS wants to stay ~ Toy Story section!) We drive down & along the way, we only stay at Sheraton's & Marriott's. I'd rather take a vacation only once every 2 years if it means I can stay where I want to stay.

I have a neighbor who takes lots of vacations but she always complains about where she stays. That to me, is part of the vacation so I'd rather be happy.

Now the Four Seasons, I'm sure I'd like that but that's waaaay to expensive for us!

 

[adamak]

SplshMtn99,
EXACTLY !! Great minds think alike . Yup, go luxury only if it's a discount. And boy, that's possible even with the most luxury hotel. Thank goodness for the internet.

As you say, I don't like paying full price. It makes me feel stupid. Sometimes DH travels on business, and his company would pay thousands (!!!) on short flights. I should be their travel agent.

 

[disykat]

I do budget with an occasional splurge. I'm pretty frugal at home too, so I think I just follow the same theory on vacation.

I am not a hotel snob. I've stayed at some pretty cheap places that turn out to be a good find.

 

[Planogirl]

Budget or luxury? Both! It depends on what we're doing and how good the deals are. I will definitely stay luxury if I can get a good price but I hardly ever pay rack rates. The only exception is if the purpose of the trip is the resort. For example, I hope to stay at the Hotel del Coronado the next time we go to San Diego. If I want to stay there, I'm going to have to pay the big bucks!

 

[goofymom23]

Luxury, its a vacation it should be great in all ways. DH especially is spoiled now that his comapany sends them to nice places he can't go back when its on his tab. Luxury or bust.

 

[catsrule]

I'm a bit of both. I like to stay somewhere nice, but I don't like to spend a fortune staying there, I look for discounts wherever I can. I also won't eat at expensive restraunts.

 

[snoopy]

Where I stay is the single most important factor to me when I go on vacation. I'm very effected by my surroundings, and while the hotel doesn't have to be upscale, it has to be clean, comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Otherwise I'm miserable.

We had an experience last trip where we went from a lovely villa in Orlando to a hotel on Clearwater Beach that was less then lovely. My stress level changed from very low to very high within minutes of arrival, and I had a strong inclination to check out and return to Orlando to the villa. We didn't, since it was only 2 nights, but I was not comfortable staying there and it effected my mood for the rest of the vacation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When I am on vacation, it is luxury all the way, but a dog show trip is just budget!

That is why we bought DVC. I would not stay off-site again, and DVC makes a luxury trip of even a short one.

 

[Silky]

We also are DVC members and enjoy the opportunity to stay on-site for less than $100/night. However, with airfare, park admissions,and food expenses we are only able to afford 1 week/year in Orlando.

 

[4greatboys]

I used to be pretty much just Motel 6 type but after getting some great discounts at Disney and staying at the some of the deluxe resorts is starting to ruin me, lol. Now I so enjoy staying at the nicer hotels with lots of little extra's. Of course Im not paying rack rate at those resorts, only staying with a good discount but now days its easy to find a discounted rate for almost any hotel. To me it just makes my whole vacation so much nicer.