tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post6694904302609468969..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Travel Budget -- Hotels, Part IImaterfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-64784873434767395732013-01-06T06:43:13.512-08:002013-01-06T06:43:13.512-08:00It really is a gem, Marla. I'd love to go back...It really is a gem, Marla. I'd love to go back!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-48692042998855179292013-01-06T06:42:57.662-08:002013-01-06T06:42:57.662-08:00We found the same for last year's apartment in...We found the same for last year's apartment in Paris -- although it was clean and well-located. We've had more hits than misses, though.<br />You must have all kinds of travel tips yourself, having lived abroad so much and exploring the surrounding cities and countries on breaks and weekends.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-59152339303905262502013-01-06T06:40:48.479-08:002013-01-06T06:40:48.479-08:00Exactly!Exactly!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32063772570156435382013-01-06T06:40:32.144-08:002013-01-06T06:40:32.144-08:00You may never have been a budget traveler, but you...You may never have been a budget traveler, but your India series demonstrates that you have the fortitude and perspective to be one. And I think you've got it in a nutshell: <i>well-budget is much better than poorly-done</i> luxury, indeed!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-70495281164363750502013-01-06T06:38:49.003-08:002013-01-06T06:38:49.003-08:00Since I don't seem to have much chance of gett...Since I don't seem to have much chance of getting really rich quickly (or slowly, for that matter), we've made exactly the choice you set out here -- the only way we can go to Europe as often as we do is by keeping the accommodation costs reasonable. And so far, I find the trade-off worthwhile.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-31575389477022884132013-01-06T06:37:10.555-08:002013-01-06T06:37:10.555-08:00Yes! Word-of-mouth counts for so much in finding a...Yes! Word-of-mouth counts for so much in finding a place to stay. <br />Ah yes, stairs in non-elevatored hotels are really how one learns to travel carry-on. I always think carry-up as well as carry-on! ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61323341164794090172013-01-06T06:36:06.679-08:002013-01-06T06:36:06.679-08:00I use TripAdvisor as well -- it's really helpf...I use TripAdvisor as well -- it's really helpful to see what others have said, isn't it?<br />Like you, I like a good bed and lots of clean, but while I love the frills when I get them, I can do without in order to save my money for all the other pleasures of travel.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-82093841111077540912013-01-06T05:02:50.424-08:002013-01-06T05:02:50.424-08:00What a gem of a hotel. It is so quaint and lovely...What a gem of a hotel. It is so quaint and lovely.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708996600777344290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-90899096876837586992013-01-05T19:51:48.407-08:002013-01-05T19:51:48.407-08:00Hi Mater, as you know stayed at Hotel Residence de...Hi Mater, as you know stayed at Hotel Residence des Gobelins after reading about it on your blog, so I agree, that is an excellent way to find accommodations. For a couple of trips though we booked apartments - once in Rome, once in Paris. We went through a website, and location and cost were our criteria. That worked out ok for location, but both places were lacking a bit in charm. I think you really do have to do a lot of research - and looking for that personal touch in correspondence is a good tip.Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504513116873595049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-62915236770837553882013-01-05T15:47:33.396-08:002013-01-05T15:47:33.396-08:00Your idea of a hotel is very close to what we use ...Your idea of a hotel is very close to what we use - someplace clean and safe, with a personal touch. As Rick Steves says (paraphrased), "why spend tons of money to stay in a room when you're really there to see the sights?"<br />Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653026442945027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-91580091116057563712013-01-05T11:10:04.381-08:002013-01-05T11:10:04.381-08:00I have never been a budget traveler *understatemen...I have never been a budget traveler *understatement* but your hotels might make me reconsider. Seems that well-budget is much better than poorly-done luxury.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-13544011594857573192013-01-05T11:02:26.611-08:002013-01-05T11:02:26.611-08:00Oooh, you know so much from your years of travel. ...Oooh, you know so much from your years of travel. Excellent post. I have to cultivate a budget attitude so that I can actually afford to go Europe on a (semi)regular basis! Or get really rich, fast. :-)K.Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350615302797686048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-409967462996046562013-01-05T10:58:04.517-08:002013-01-05T10:58:04.517-08:00I like the personal contact too, so don't ever...I like the personal contact too, so don't ever book through a third party. My favourite way to find places to stay within a budget is to read blogs like yours :) or ask people who have recently traveled. The hotel in Metz looks lovely, and the stairs reminded me of one we stayed in when we were in Arras. We were on the fifth floor. It's where I learned the value of packing REALLY light!Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-48014178183179267352013-01-05T10:46:15.944-08:002013-01-05T10:46:15.944-08:00You are such a savvy traveller. I rely on trip Adv...You are such a savvy traveller. I rely on trip Advisor but they cannot possibly know all these gems that you have found. <br />It's such a comfort knowing that one has a good bed and clean accommodation...no need for too many frills as there are so many places that one can dine and with boutiques and shops out to tempt us...it makes sense to save elsewhere.<br />Researching and planning is something you must do very well mater.hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.com