Summer Time Already?

WOW!?! Where did the year go? Is it really almost June already...

About this time of year many folks start thinking about what to do for summer fun. Whether planning a full blown vacation or a weekend trip, the seedling ideas are germinating in the minds of many. So, I have a thought or two to share in hopes of saving you some money.

First, consider your location and weigh the value of location as it relates to your total budget. Often times you will find substantially better rates in off-the-beaten-path hotels. For example, if you're heading to Virginia Beach this summer, you ought to consider staying in Chesapeake. What's that - you've never heard of Chesapeake? Ohh, no, not the bay - the city. Chesapeake is a city wedged between Norfolk and Virginia Beach. There are more than 4,000 hotel rooms, a ton of restaurants and a variety of leisure activities - both indoor and outdoor. The icing on the cake - Virginia Beach oceanfront is just 20 minutes away, downtown Norfolk is a 20 minute spin and Williamsburg is only about 40 minutes (with the wind behind you and no traffic). What's my point? Chesapeake is centrally located, easily accessible, seriously affordable and has a bunch of really nice hotels so you don't need to sacrifice quality!

But that's just one example - check out the outskirts of your favorite summer spot and you might just find a similar scenario in places like Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach or Ocean City.

Second, don't mess with third party websites (aka: Travelocity, Expedia, Kayak, etc.), they are a waste of time. Contrary to popular belief, 9.9 times out of 10 you will get the best rates by booking direct through your preferred hotel website. So, if your Marriott loyal - just start with Marriott.com, brand rules require all hotels to offer equal pricing on all avenues. With Starwood, Hilton and Holiday Inn, their brands also have rules that insure you will get best pricing from them and not travelocity, orbitz or some other middle-man. Another reality is that you will find it much easier to change/cancel/reschedule reservations made direct and not through a random web channel. Of course, if your a close personal friend or family member, feel free to shoot me an email and I'll try to hook you up with friends and family rates :-)

Third tip and final words of wisdom for today are: don't trust tripadvisor.com. It's no secret that we would all rather believe the advice of another consumer before we trust an advertisement. However, find a better source. TripAdvisor.com has no system to validate that comments are from actual guests. A little known reality to those outside the business is that shady hoteliers make common practice of loading fabricated feedback about both their own hotel and their competitors. You see, they post positive comments about their own locations to boost rankings, and they simultaneously post shabby remarks about competitors to lower their rankings. As well, legitimate posts are often times connected with the wrong hotel (ie: same name different location). In turn, the end user is reading 75% BS mixed in with the occasional real feedback. So, you're better off referring to blogs or subscription based rating sites if you find that information useful. Just bear in mind that whatever you read online (positive or negative) is a snapshot and only that - influenced by the unique circumstance of that guest, other guests and staff on duty at the time....so, your experience may (and probably will) vary from that random review you read.

All that being said, go plan a trip and enjoy your summer! If you're considering relocation to the Virginia Beach area I strongly suggest you check out www.KimberlyDenton.com for area information and a fantastic realtor!