by Sunny
follow me on Twitter @SunnyLooksLeaps
For Spring Break 2017, MJ and Jimmy voted on going to Minneapolis to reprise our Mall of America trip of February 2016. I voted for Vermont (read Wendy’s post here), but I was apparently not very convincing. Long story short, we ended up in neither destination. Due to our loyalty to nonrevving, we decided less than a week before our trip to cancel our Minneapolis plans and head out west where the flights looked more promising.
Less than a week.
Before Spring Break.
One of THE BUSIEST times of year for air travel and hotel booking. We literally came right down to the wire when it came to getting a decent place to stay. Then how did we score a four-star resort hotel in Coronado, California on our Minneapolis budget? One word: Hotwire
I understand the hesitation with using a site like Hotwire. The low prices and last minute deals are enticing, but the catch is that you book your hotel before you see the actual name of the hotel. You see the price, neighborhood, and amenities, but there is no guarantee that you will be booking a particular resort, hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast. I have a few savvy tips that have always worked like a charm, particularly when we were booking less than a month out.
Research the areas of the city you will visit: Hotwire may not give you the name of the hotel or the exact address, but they will narrow it down by neighborhood. Just be sure you are familiar with the neighborhoods. For example, do you need to be close to the airport, beach, or a theme park? Make use of the map feature to ensure you are getting your hotel in the right part of town.
Filters are your friends: In my experience, the more I filter, the happier I am with my choice. Granted, the more you filter, the fewer choices you will ultimately have. Star value is a great place to start. If the idea of a Days Inn is roughing it to you, definitely narrow your choices to 4-star or higher. Just need a place to crash during an overnight layover? Maybe scale that star rating back a bit. If you are flying in but aren’t renting a car, better check the 24-hour airport shuttle box, too. Kids in tow? Filter for an indoor pool and you’ll be the hero. For a budget-friendlier stay, tick the free breakfast box. Beach access, free parking, and restaurants on-site are also filters that we have used and have made a major difference during our stay.
Book it a week before…or an hour before!: Hotwire has not only come through for planned vacations, but also when experiencing an unexpected layover. One fateful, snowy Valentine’s Day, I scored a stay at a Hyatt for less than $50. It definitely made the sting of a canceled flight hurt less. When choosing a hotel during winter time, the description multiple indoor heated pools and Jacuzzi was a no brainer. The price tag was less than $70 a night a few weeks before our trip.
The Best Western Plus near the Mall of America. Excellent indoor pools during freezing February weather!
When we canceled our Minneapolis plans two weeks ago, Jimmy and I didn’t even discuss it. We both immediately headed to Hotwire on our phones and in no time, Jimmy had found this gem:
We saved over half on our Premium room at the Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort. There were even more amenities than initially listed, and the location was absolutely perfect. It was easily one of the best Spring Break locations we have visited – low crowds, perfect weather, and casual family-friendly vibe.
The view from our Premium King room at the Loews Coronado Resort.
Hotwire is a fun and dependable booking site that has made us repeat customers! Have you tried Hotwire? Share your experiences with me in the comments below!