My husband and I are traveling for the first time in years. I spent a few days looking over locations and room rates, but I’m having a hard time choosing hotel rooms. We’ll be driving around quite a bit, so we need at least three if not four hotels during our stay.
There are so many options available when choosing a hotel. Do I want a three, four or five star hotel? Do I need a queen or king sized bed? Do I want an oceanfront view?
My husband and I haven’t gone on an out of state vacation since we purchased our beach house four years ago. Since we almost never travel anywhere other than our beach house I’m tempted to choose relatively pricey hotels.
I think I’m willing to pay a higher premium on rooms at least one or two nights to get a balcony and a better view. The question is how much more am I willing to spend? In some places the cost for an ocean front room is $100 more than a view of the city. Do I really want to shell out that much money just to see the ocean from my room?
While I don’t plan on spending a ton of time in our room, I do like the idea of waking up and looking out over the water. When my husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii we sat out on our balcony almost every night, drinking cocktails and looking out over the palm trees.
So I’m torn about the decision. On one hand we haven’t taken a vacation to a place other than our beach house in nearly five years, so I think it’s okay to splurge a little. On the other hand I hate the idea of shelling out so much money on just the view.
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on this one. Do you think it’s worth it to pay more money for an oceanfront view?
Book the cheaper room. If its a big hotel, there's usually a spot to put in any special requests you may have. Tell them you're celebrating your anniversary and would appreciate a complementary upgrade. That usually works for when I travel for vacation.
Alternatively, you can be overly picky and complain about your room. There's always something that could be better (i.e. scratched furniture, small stains on the carpet, noise, etc)
Personally, I just don't understand paying more for a view — in an apartment or a hotel. But based on your description of wanting to wake up and see the beach, it sounds like your priorities are just different in this case.
Even so, I would be hesitant about spending $100 more. So maybe try to compromise? Get a slightly less extravagant hotel, but with an ocean view room?
I think that a little splurging is going to be okay.
You should figure out how much time you'll actually spend in the hotel room. If you plan to be active, you may barely be in the room. Which means the premium you pay for the ocean view is suddenly very pricey for a couple of hours a day, max.
Then again, if you believe in having a nice, relaxed time on your vacation and plan on making trips to and from the hotel a lot to rest up… Well, then you could be very glad that you can loll around in the room and still go stand out on the balcony, admiring the view and hear the waves.
Don't overlook the beauty of the city at night…it is one of my favorite views in the world.
That said, I'd go for the ocean view because I love waking to the sound of the ocean and there's nothing like breakfast on the balcony. I would not spend $100 extra a night unless the hotel is spectacular!
Have fun either way.
Andrea
Frugal Girl, I think it's time you splurge a little bit!!! The ocean view is expensive, but it's been forever since you've been away with just your husband. Treat it like a second honeymoon and enjoy yourself! Wouldn't it be nice to sit on the balcony each morning and sip on a cup of coffee… or end the night on the balcony, listening to the ocean and talking about what an amazing day you had. Do it!!!
Reserve the cheaper room and, upon check-in, discreetly slip the clerk a $20 underneath your credit card and mention that you're celebrating your anniversary.
I decided on a bit of a compromise. Two nights we'll stay in nice hotels with city or partial ocean views. The other two nights we're staying in a much pricier hotel in an oceanfront room. As MW said, my husband and I don't spurge often and I really want to make this trip memorable! Maybe I'll luck out and get upgraded the other two nights like a few of you suggested š After all we are celebrating our five year anniversary!