Hotels have gotten pricey!
- Thread starter slo town
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Agree that Sedona is beautiful. But I'm cheap so we stayed in Flagstaff in a super quirky 1950s style hotel having small pink tiles on the bathroom walls and all.
Considering that we only sleep and shower in a hotel room, as long as it's clean and in a "not dodgy" neighbourhood it'll be fine. We've stayed in very expensive hotels as well. They're nice enough but for a place to sleep and shower, it doesn't make much difference.
But having said all that, there is a certain hotel outside Ottawa with a sign that advertises "34 exotic dancers every night" where I won't be staying again. I'd explain but it's a long story.
I have noticed this for a while. Seems like hotels would rather be half full and charge more than drop there price and fill. I am sure they have figured out the formula.
As for timing - the main travelers for leisure now are retirees - they have all the money. So the "peak" season has changed based on the whims of those that can travel anytime.
As for timing - the main travelers for leisure now are retirees - they have all the money. So the "peak" season has changed based on the whims of those that can travel anytime.
I drive the road over Sitgreaves Pass and through Oatman somewhat frequently. It is slower than I-40 but worth it. You can take Rt 66 from Topock and feel like the Joads, or you can get off the freeway at Needles, find the bridge across the Colorado (follow Needles Hwy to N K St, once you take the Rt 66 exit off the freeway it takes you right to K St and there is a sign pointing the way at the turn), you will be on Hwy 95. Buy gas at the second station on the right a mile or two past the bridge. It is about $3 a gallon less than Needles. Go a few miles to Hwy 53/Boundary Cone Rd and go right. That will take you right up to Oatman. Stop in Oatman, it is worth it. Do not open your window to feed a donkey, they will put their head in your car and you will have a hard time getting her out. It will be obvious that you drive very slowly through Oatman.
Take it easy past Oatman, it is windy and motorcycles will be on the road, so stay in your lane. There is a heck of a hairpin curve just above the Gold Road mine. The are ruins of old housing at Gold Road and above there you will see mining activity past and present.
At the top of Sitgreaves Pass, on your left just before the summit you will find a good sized area to park. There will probably cars parked there. There is a very interesting informal "cemetery" there. Walk the short distance out and see what I mean.
On the other side of Sitgreave Pass, a couple of tight curves down, on the right, you will see a wide enough area to park and stairs. This is Shaffer Springs or Fishbowl Spring, the original Radiator Springs. Go up the steps and enjoy. The bees are there for the water and will not bother you. As you continue on down, go slow, be safe and enjoy the view. Think of the Joads driving over that pass in their worn out, overloaded 26 Hudson Super Six modified into a truck.
Once you get down to Cool Springs the road is much straighter and kind of levels out. The speed limit remains 45 mph (I got a warning ticket there in April 2016). Stay of Rt 66 all the way into Kingman. Stop at the Powerhouse Museum.
You can stay on Rt 66 all the way to Seligman and I recommend you do so. The road is pretty good.
Rt 66 is paved all the way through to Kingman, so you do not need to worry about gravel roads or even bad potholes. It is an adventure you will remember.
Oh yeah, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard did not spend their wedding night in Oatman. Clark Gable did like going there.
They don't have to deal with the Rif Raf coming to stay i think its beautiful but it's just overrun with tourists. tour adventures running up and down the strip and so on.
When we scraped ourselves out of lower, lower middle class the wife decided that the first thing we'd spend more money on was hotels. She's rationally afraid of bed bugs and I was on board.
So we went from $60 rooms to $250 rooms and got slightly better cleanliness for a couple of years but then the operators slacked off. $250 is the new $60. It's only a couple huge chains running everything.
I did stay in a random quaint family owned hotel in VA 11 years ago for the storied $60 rate and it was clean. That's all I want, a clean room and no crackheads within earshot.
So we went from $60 rooms to $250 rooms and got slightly better cleanliness for a couple of years but then the operators slacked off. $250 is the new $60. It's only a couple huge chains running everything.
I did stay in a random quaint family owned hotel in VA 11 years ago for the storied $60 rate and it was clean. That's all I want, a clean room and no crackheads within earshot.
The local prices will creep into that range sometimes also.
Be wary of $150/night hotels. Some areas okay however CT near my daughter college I walked in and out of lobby scary.
Its all about where and when.
$150 in Florida in the summertime, same room $400 in March.
When traveling at night watch for black cows in the road too. Mostly open range land.
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I'm away now and luckily I'm staying at my own place. I used Trivago, Expedia, and Bookings and they all said the price was all inclusive. I got hit $15 to $22 extra fees when I got to the three hotels just for a one night stay.
I was here last August and didn't have that and one even put a temp $50 fee in case I messed up the place.
And all of these places were less than half full... I usually rent houses for a week and most are cheaper than hotels.. these places don't even keep the vending machines stocked.
A real joke
I was here last August and didn't have that and one even put a temp $50 fee in case I messed up the place.
And all of these places were less than half full... I usually rent houses for a week and most are cheaper than hotels.. these places don't even keep the vending machines stocked.
A real joke
The public whines so much about inflation and gas prices...then spends without regard. Restaurants are full, movies theaters, coffee shops, hotels, you name it, are full.
Understood….
But lots of people have multiple credit cards and have no concern maxing them out.
I don’t understand why every hotel is doing a $50 hold? Hotels with no restaurant or bar.
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
That seems strange, should be able to pull off a highway and find a reasonable place. I don't remember what we paid last year on a trip to TN, but that was a fam of four. I guess in the end, as long as it looks name brand (Day's Inn? stuff like that) then I won't care too much. The cost is whatever it is (as long as it has WiFi I might not care too much).
Watch the trifecta of ripoffs: Parking, Wifi, or Breakfast. 2 of the 3 will be free.
I've been charged parking when there was an industrial park across the suburban street I could have parked in. Wife said NO!
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
I'm kind of a "phobe" with respect to hotels, and certain public places in general. Cleanliness at a hotel is absolutely essential to me.
You know, funny story. In 2000 when we were in the process of moving to Colorado, Sue and I stayed at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The Broadmoor is the longest running 5-star hotel in the US. It really is magnificent, and boy-o-boy, do I have a story about the Golden Bee one night!
Anyway, we splurged on a really nice room. When Sue and I walked into this grand palace of a hotel room, my eyes immediately went to the foyer leading to the magnificent bathroom. My eyes were that of an eagle's. PERFECT vision! FREAKISHLY perfect vision...
There lay a black "curly" hair. Just a single black curly hair on that massive foyer. The moment we walked into the room that was the first thing my eyes focused on! I kid you not! I'm LOL right now.
Who made this happen to Mr. Phobe?! I still laugh about it.
Scott
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