Lodging

Wisconsin Dells, or “The Dells,” as the locals call it, has been a family vacation destination for decades, Appropriately, many of the lodging options you’ll find along the main strip of Hwy 12, where the major attractions are based, are family-run businesses, not major chains.  These can offer great deals to the budget traveler.

Mayflower Motel Double Bed Room

One of the best family-run motels in The Dells is the Mayflower Motel and Suites. It is an older motel, but the family that runs it has done a good job of upkeep and occasional renovations to keep the property fresh (though there is some wear and tear here and there).

Accommodations here range from a standard two double bed room to a three queen bed jacuzzi suite with a loft (great for groups or large families). Each room comes with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker and cable TV with the Starz! movie channel. The suites also include wet bars, sofa sleepers and in-room jacuzzi tubs. Some even have private balconies.

Amenities at the Mayflower include a large indoor pool with hot tub and sauna, as well as two outdoor pools with kids pools, a children’s playground area, an arcade and a sheltered picnic/grill area.

There isn’t an on-site restaurant, but within a two-to-three block are several restaurant options from a pizza joint to ethnic food like Japanese and Jamaican. During my stay I ate at Houlihan’s (an upscale sports bar) and the elegant House of Embers across the street (very cool place if you want to have a romantic fine dining experience). Fast food options and a WalMart Supercenter (featuring a grocery secton) are mere minutes away by car.

The Mayflower is also within walking distance from major Dells attractions such as Noah’s Ark waterpark and Mt. Olympus.

Rates for 2009 start as low as $58 for the two double bed rooms during the off-season when I stayed (which is pretty much all year except Memorial Day through Labor Day). Be sure to check the motel’s website for coupons. I was able to book my three-night stay with 50% off the third night using them.

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Mayflower Motel & Suites
910 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-8316
608-253-6471

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Though the push is on for hotels in this midwest tourist destination to expand and include guest amenities like indoor theme parks, sometimes you just need a comfortable bed in a clean room that is close to everything without costing an arm and a leg.

A Basic 2 Queen Room at the Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn in Wisconsin Dells fulfills all the criteria. It has easy access to Interstate 90/94, as well as the cute downtown area and the major attractions like Noah’s Ark Waterpark and Mt. Olympus Theme Park. It’s also within walking distance of the Greyhound stop, as well as less than a mile from the Amtrak station (a mere $5 taxi ride).

During my two stays, the rooms were basic but clean and outfitted with a small sitting area by the window, along with a small fridge/microwave combo and cable TV. The rooms did show signs of wear and tear, but they were minor.

The Comfort Inn Indoor Pool

The hotel has a nice indoor pool area with a jacuzzi pool and in addition to free continental breakfast, there are plenty of name-brand dining options within walking distance.

The staff was friendly and I had no troubles during my stay. I also appreciated the indoor corridors for safety and the free Wi-Fi.

Nightly rates start around $65 during the off-season months and $109 during the peak months (holidays/summer). It also offers special packages that include attraction tickets for extra savings during the summer months. AAA/CAA members can generally save 10% off the rates year-round, and don’t forget to sign up for Choice Hotel’s free frequent stay program which awards points for free future stays.

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Comfort Inn
703 Frontage Rd. N.
Wisconsin Dells, WI, US, 53965
1-608-253-3711
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Many people who visit Walt Disney World in Orlando want to stay on property – and who can blame them? Not only is it convenient and quick to get back to your room after a long hot day at the parks, but you’re still surrounded by the Disney atmosphere.

Touchdown Section of Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

For those on a budget or traveling with sports fans, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort would probably be your best bet to book.

This resort was the first value lodging at Walt Disney World, and still remains a favorite. It consists of several buildings, each separated into a different sports theme: Touchdown! (football), Center Court (tennis), Homerun Hotel (baseball), Surfs Up! (surfing), and Hoops Hotel (basketball). And don’t expect subtlety here with the themes, either. For instance, the Touchdown buildings feature three-story tall football helmets anchoring the buildings, while the Hoops area has large basketballs that look like they’re bouncing off the exterior of the buildings.

Each area’s theme also continues inside the rooms, which are a bit on the small side, but clean and well maintained. Look for sports-themed bedding, wallpaper accents and decor in each room. King-bedded rooms are are also designed for disabled travelers so they do not feature the normal tub/shower combo, only a wheelchair-accessible shower.

These three-story buildings feature exterior corridors, central elevators and stairwells at the ends. They are also separate from the main lobby and food court building, but do have vending machines for sudden snack attacks. The resort also has two pools – one shaped as a surfboard and the other like a baseball diamond.

Guests staying at the All-Star Sports also can take advantage of Disney resort perks like free Disney buses, early/late magic hours at the parks and ship to your room privileges for items bought at on-property stores (no more schlepping shopping bags all day at the parks).

I would definitely say this resort would be best enjoyed by sports fans, families and those on a budget who want to stay on Disney property for their stay.

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Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
1701 W Buena Vista Dr,
Lake Buena Vista,,FL,32830
Phone: 1-407-939-5000

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Pool, photo by Nancy D. Brown

Two mothers and two teenage daughters on a quest to visit five Southern California college campuses in one week over Spring Break. What better way to pass the time than a roadtrip to Santa Barbara? Taking a lodging suggestion from a fellow mother with a daughter at the University of California Santa Barbara, we  booked two rooms at the Best Western South Coast.

I could have spent my entire vacation in Santa Barbara. Our hotel room, #220, with two queen beds and Serta Presidential mattresses, looked over the swimming pool. Check out the website and you’ll see from the pictures that this property is not your typical Best Western.

Room 220

Budget conscious guests will appreciate the complimentary continental breakfast. If you believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you will appreciate that the Inn offers make-your-own waffles, cheese omlettes, sausage, toast, muffins, doughnuts, bagels, hot and cold cereal, fruit, coffee and a juice bar.  Unfortunately, we missed the wine and cheese reception offered Monday – Thursday from 5-7 p.m. There’s also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, wireless high-speed internet, free parking and a local courtesy van provided to the airport and UCSB campus.

General Manager Harvey Robbins said that the Inn caters to families visiting UCSB students. I’d certainly circle back to Brophy Bros. Restaurant at the harbor for the fresh, affordably-priced seafood. Keep your fingers crossed that my daughter is accepted to the university, I think Harvey and I are going to be good friends.

Best Western South Coast Inn 1 (805) 967-3200 or 1 (800) 350-3614

5620 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117-2319

AAA-3 Diamond rated, sorry, no pets allowed.

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Circus Circus

It’s Spring Break 2008 and the kids are morphing into teenagers.  Time is slipping away from us and there are so many places they haven’t seen.  We selected the Grand Canyon for our roadtrip destination, with a two night stop-over in Las Vegas thrown in for a little glitz and glamour.  I looked to my travel agent for a package deal on the Grand Canyon and a hotel recommendation for teens in Vegas.  The travel agent’s Las Vegas recommendation; Circus Circus.

Family friendly, budget lodging is one thing. Chipped, run down furniture, a less-than-reliable elevator to the swimming pool and a screenless window looking down to the RV parking lot is another. My daughter and I flew from the Bay Area to McCarran International Airport as I had a couple of frequent flyer tickets ready to expire.  We arrived early at the hotel and asked at check in if our room was available.  Room 19743, located in the Skyrise Tower, was waiting to be cleaned.

My husband and son were mini-van bound and arrived that evening to join us.  Fortunately, the hotel offered complimentary parking as well as a huge RV park. Unfortunately, the hotel was located on the northern edge of the Las Vegas strip. The closest restaurant within walking distance was a Denny’s with an hour long wait.  We had no interest in dining in Circus Circus with its smoke filled lobby.

Billed as a family favorite since 1968, I suggest the Circus Circus Skyrise Tower is in dire need of a face lift.  While the West Tower has recently been remodeled, our room was dated, the plywood entertainment center was falling apart and the lack of a screen on the bedroom window was alarming.  My 16 year old referred to our accomodation as the suicide room, noting the easy access to the cold, hard concrete 19 stories below.

When I called the first night to ask about canceling our room I learned that our AAA rate could not be refunded because our travel specialist had booked our reservations in advance.  Not only did we over-pay, we were stuck there for a second miserable night.  When an on-line customer satisfaction survey arrived in my computer mailbox, I mentioned all of the above noted comments and checked the box that gave them permission to contact me.  I never heard a peep from anyone at Circus Circus.

Have you had a lodging disappointment?  Have you been contacted by hotel management after a less-than positive experience?  Leave a comment below.  I promise I’ll read your feedback!

Circus CIrcus Hotel Casino 1 (800) 638-8595

2880 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Photo by Kendall C. Brown

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

For the price of one night at a high-end hotel, two can dine at an excellent Fort Bragg restaurant and still have money left over for a cheap, clean motel room.  That’s right, I’m going to share my Mendocino coast, budget lodging secret with you.

Fort Bragg is Mendocino County’s answer to budget-friendly beauty and the Surf Motel and Gardens is my answer to budget-friendly lodging.  The Surf Motel is family-owned and operated, well located in the town of Fort Bragg, pet-friendly and minutes from wonderful beaches, affordable dining options and a great spa.  And did I mention that they offer free Wi-Fi?

Bamboo Garden Spa

I discovered the Surf back in the 1980’s when my husband and I had little to spend on lodging and were anxious to make our travel dollars spread as far as possible.  Located up the coast, ten miles from the village of Mendocino, we looked to the AAA approved motel for winter package deals.  Now that we have a little more money in the bank, we like to splurge on dinner out and maybe a spa treatment at Bamboo Garden Spa.

Locals will tell you to dine at Kim Badenhop’s Rendezvous Inn and Restaurant.  While I haven’t stayed at the Inn, the Zagat-rated restaurant receives a big thumbs-up from me.  Housed in a historic residence built in 1897, Badenhop’s restaurant offers country-French cuisine and a hand-selected wine list.  If pizza and beer are more in your price range, stop at Piaci Pub and Pizzeria for awesome Italian thin-crust pizza.

TIP: If you ride a motorcycle, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) can’t be beat for banked curves, redwood forests and ocean views.  Fort Bragg’s Surf Motel offers a safe haven for your motorcycle at night.

Reservations: (800) 339-5361

Rates vary from $49 – $250 for a 2-room Suite (sleeps 6)

“Hut trips” into the Colorado backcountry are popular winter activities among mountain residents. This involves cross-country skiing or snowshoeing miles into the wilderness to “camp” at rustic cabins far away from civilization. You need to pack in (and out) all of your food and supplies. While this sort of outdoor adventure can be romantic, exciting and exhilarating, it does involve quite a bit of endurance and strength.

However, the Shrine Mountain Inn offers Colorado visitors (and residents, for that matter) a more accessible way to overnight in the woods. Its three log cabins are less than three miles from the parking lot at the top of Vail Pass (Interstate 70).

I overnighted at Chuck’s cabin in the summertime, which is an absolutely gorgeous time to spend in Colorado’s mountainous country (and it’s certainly easier to hike the dirt roads to the accommodations, as opposed to ski or snowshoe in through snow). Plus, in the summer, you can drive even closer to the cabins — it’s less than a mile walk to reach the affordable lodging. An easy hike!

Whether you plan to stay in summer or winter, you can book an entire cabin with family or friends, or share the rooms hostel-style with like-minded travelers. The charmingly rustic huts are equipped with electricity, running water, flush toilets and full kitchens — many more amenities and services than your typical backcountry huts. Wrap-around decks provide an ideal place to kick back and admire the stunning panoramic views from 11,209 feet.

Photos by Kara Williams, taken in June 2007.