Can I do better

[Tikitoi]

We are tying things together for our "road trip". 2 adults and 1 child.

From home we will be driving to DC, spend 4 nights there at L'Enfant Hotel. Which will cost $886.22. Then from there to Hershey PA and a couple night in Hotel Hershey for $914.84 (tickets included). On top of that the rental car for the week $244.98. Ando of course this does not include gas and food.

Can I do better, or do these type of vacations cost as much as Disney.

 

[mward73]

I'm in no way saying don't do it - if you want to stay at nice places, then go enjoy - it's fun to splurge on them sometimes

I think the problem is you're staying at expensive hotels. You could cut the cost quite a bit by staying at other hotels. DC has tons of hotels (many near the metro) for less than the L'Enfant Plaza area. Also, in Hershey - did you check the Hershey Lodge? I think it's less expensive than Hotel Hershey (and more kid friendly). There are also many hotels in the area for a lot less $$.

 

[QVCshopper]

If you do Priceline, name your own price, you can probably do much better--especially for the DC hotel. Just be sure to bid ONLY 4 star. See biddingfortravel.com for a strategy.

I always do Priceline for Baltimore, and have stayed at the Renaissance, Hyatt, Marriot, etc. I have done Priceline for DC as well and stayed at the Continetal and in Crystal City. Never pay more than $100/night.

For Hershey, I'd either keep the Hershey Hotel or switch to the cheaper Hershey Lodge. But, I've always wanted to stay at the Hershey Hotel... I'm a bit of a hotel snob, thanks to Priceline & Disney. Doubt you can get those on Priceline though.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I'm in no way saying don't do it - if you want to stay at nice places, then go enjoy - it's fun to splurge on them sometimes

I think the problem is you're staying at expensive hotels. You could cut the cost quite a bit by staying at other hotels. DC has tons of hotels (many near the metro) for less than the L'Enfant Plaza area. Also, in Hershey - did you check the Hershey Lodge? I think it's less expensive than Hotel Hershey (and more kid friendly). There are also many hotels in the area for a lot less $$.

Agreed 100%.

 

[HeatherC]

Not sure if it's available for your dates, but Travelzoo just advertised L'Enfant for $99 a night this summer. Worth checking out. Hope it can save you some money.

 

[ssawka]

I have to agree with PPs. You are going to very high end hotels. Especially, the Hotel Hershey! Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it (hey, it's your $!), but I do find it ironic that you are asking about saving $ on a budget board with the hotel choices you have made.

 

[mjkacmom]

You want to know if you can do better that the Hershey Hotel?! Even the Hershey Lodge is a rip-off at $300 a night. There are tons of hotels just as close to Hershey Park for $100 or less. We used to stay in the Lodge, until our family was too big for 1 room, and now I feel like an idiot for paying those prices.

 

[lcapower]

You can get cheaper rates in Hershey, but you also get a cheaper experience. It's the old saying...you get what you pay for. If you stay at either Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge, you get an extra hour early admission into the park, free shuttle service so you don't need to drive and pay to park at Hersheypark, the BEST ticket prices you can get anywhere, and they have a new thing this year where if you are staying there for 3 or more days you can buy an adventure pass that gets you in and out of 4 of the local attractions as often as you want for the entire length of your stay. We saved something like $200 just for the couple of days we stayed (4 of us) and loved every minute. Hotel recreation staff and facilities were wonderful...especially the new outdoor pool complex and spots center.

 

[Tikitoi]

I think the problem is you're staying at expensive hotels. You could cut the cost quite a bit by staying at other hotels. DC has tons of hotels (many near the metro) for less than the L'Enfant Plaza area. Also, in Hershey - did you check the Hershey Lodge? I think it's less expensive than Hotel Hershey (and more kid friendly). There are also many hotels in the area for a lot less $$.

Thanks for letting me know of the Hershey Lodge. We have switched our reservation to that.

If you do Priceline, name your own price, you can probably do much better--especially for the DC hotel. Just be sure to bid ONLY 4 star. See biddingfortravel.com for a strategy.

I always do Priceline for Baltimore, and have stayed at the Renaissance, Hyatt, Marriot, etc. I have done Priceline for DC as well and stayed at the Continetal and in Crystal City. Never pay more than $100/night.

For Hershey, I'd either keep the Hershey Hotel or switch to the cheaper Hershey Lodge. But, I've always wanted to stay at the Hershey Hotel... I'm a bit of a hotel snob, thanks to Priceline & Disney. Doubt you can get those on Priceline though.

Definitely will check out priceline as well as the Continental. I just thought L'Enfant was in the middle of things and thats what we want.

Not sure if it's available for your dates, but Travelzoo just advertised L'Enfant for $99 a night this summer. Worth checking out. Hope it can save you some money.

Thanks. I checked and it came out to about $200 more because of our dates.

I have to agree with PPs. You are going to very high end hotels. Especially, the Hotel Hershey! Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it (hey, it's your $!), but I do find it ironic that you are asking about saving $ on a budget board with the hotel choices you have made.

Yes, like to stay at decent hotels and still save when possible.

You can get cheaper rates in Hershey, but you also get a cheaper experience. It's the old saying...you get what you pay for. If you stay at either Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge, you get an extra hour early admission into the park, free shuttle service so you don't need to drive and pay to park at Hersheypark, the BEST ticket prices you can get anywhere, and they have a new thing this year where if you are staying there for 3 or more days you can buy an adventure pass that gets you in and out of 4 of the local attractions as often as you want for the entire length of your stay. We saved something like $200 just for the couple of days we stayed (4 of us) and loved every minute. Hotel recreation staff and facilities were wonderful...especially the new outdoor pool complex and spots center.

This is what I am thinking. Almost like staying on Disney property. We haven't been back in years and we want to do it this way, because we don't know when we will go back after this year. And we want to stay on property at least once.

 

[librarygal]

That is too much to pay for a hotel in DC. Since you have three people I would use Hotwire and price it for two adults and one child. Try to hit DC on the weekend. Prices will be lower because you are not competing for rooms with the business travelers.

 

[heatherleigh]

It is very expensive. I took my kids on a little 4 day spring break road trip. It wound up costing us $1500. We weren't eating at fancy restaurants every day, but I did do room service a couple times. Everything adds up.

 

[scrappyjae]

I would be careful with the hotel in DC. You don't want to stay in a bad area and you want to be in an area close to a Metro stop. Driving your car in DC just will not work. The traffic is horrible!!!

Try the Marriott at Metro Center. We got it for 2 nights, 4 adults for $387. And it is right by a Metro stop.

 

[HeatherC]

Another option in DC if you don't mind taking the Metro is the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria. The metro is right across the suites. And you get a free cooked to order breakfast with suite accomodations.

We are staying here for 3 nights in July and I'm paying $146 a night. I saw some rates mid-week for about $136 a night. That may be a little cheaper. Not sure what your dates are so I couldn't price it for you.

I think the Marriott Crystal City had some good rates too last time I checked. The metro there is underneath the hotel.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Another option in DC if you don't mind taking the Metro is the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria. The metro is right across the suites. And you get a free cooked to order breakfast with suite accomodations.

We are staying here for 3 nights in July and I'm paying $146 a night. I saw some rates mid-week for about $136 a night. That may be a little cheaper. Not sure what your dates are so I couldn't price it for you.

I think the Marriott Crystal City had some good rates too last time I checked. The metro there is underneath the hotel.

Is the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria near Chevy Chase? I am looking for a hotel very close to the metro, preferbly across the street, next to or under it? Also, what hotels are close to the 4H campus (not sure of the name)? We will be there for about seven days so I would like to find a nice, safe hotel that will not break the budget. One more thing what about parking at these hotels?

 

[QVCshopper]

I just got this email from Hershey. Maybe it will work for you... Unfortunately, I know nothing more, but thought of you when I got the email:

This May and June, we're welcoming all kids 17 and under with FREE admission to Hersheypark, FREE accommodations at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge, and FREE daily breakfast!*
Plus, as a guest of Hershey Resorts, you'll receive exclusive Hershey Resorts Advantage benefits, including Hershey Gardens and Hershey Story Museum tickets, complimentary local transportation, early access to select rides and attractions within Hersheypark, exclusive access to four distinctive golf courses, and more!
Book your getaway today by calling
1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439).
Rates starting at $335.**

 

[CTrumble]

The L'Enfant plaza hotel is a great location. It has a metro stop in the basement and is within a short walk to the Air & Space Museum and the Castle (the vistor's center.)

I absolutely love the the L'enfant location. We once went from the hotel to Union Station for dinner in the middle of a horrid rainstorm and never saw it because we didn't have to go outside.

 

[Techtravler]

I would check tripadvisor.com about Le'Enfant Plaza hotel. I go to DC often for work and remember seeing so not so great reviews about them. The rates were low for DC, but a lot of complaints. The location is very close to many sites though. What you are paying seems a bit high for that hotel though.

DC is a funny place when it comes to hotel rates. I can pay $200.00 a night one week and then the same hotel is $350.00 per night. Hotwire can be a good option, but you will have a hard time making sure you are next to a Metro Stop.

I use sidetep.com when hotel searching and it really does a great job.

 

[debbiemomto4]

L'enfant hotel rated 88out of 126.not such good rating. I always like embassy suites in DC. They include breakfast and an afternoon happy hour with light fare. Definitely nicer places there and in Old town Alexandria or crystal city.

 

[HeatherC]

I don't think the Embassy Suites in Old Town is anywhere near Chevy Chase. But it is right across the street from the metro stop. I think it's called Kings (something) stop if that helps you in your planning.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't think the Embassy Suites in Old Town is anywhere near Chevy Chase. But it is right across the street from the metro stop. I think it's called Kings (something) stop if that helps you in your planning.

There is an Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase, I believe, right on top of the metro. My friend stayed there at the same time as we stayed at the ES in Dupont Circle. We payed $100 more per night, and it took us the same amount of time to get downtown, because we had a 5 minute walk to the metro. Next time, we'll stay there. Big ES fans - free hot breakfast, and free nightly reception. We also like having the separate bedroom and kitchen.