Tag: travel membership club

Tips for visiting Orlando with kids

by hotelsetc, posted in travel

Incredible theme parks, world class restaurants, sublime weather and endless attractions. More and more Americans are now choosing to stay domestic on their vacations and with an itinerary packed full of the above, who would argue that Orlando, Florida offers the best variety of attractions for kids and one of the best places for vacation in the US.

Here are some theme park, food and hotel tips for visiting Orlando, Florida on your next vacation:

Tips for visiting Disney World with kids

Undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in the US, a major favorite for the kids and then surrounded by many other attractions; Disney World is a huge draw and with this popularity, it brings huge crowds.

However, why visit when the lines are so long for attractions, when the park is overcrowded and overwhelming? Visit Disney World in the shoulder months of January or September and you will not have to wait in line for hours on end, not to mention how the cost of attractions, accommodation etc are usually much lower, especially if you are using hotel discounts or theme park discounts.

Another great way to save on headaches and confusion is to pick up a Fast Pass which is essentially a reservation system.

Where to eat with kids in Orlando
It doesn’t have to be a celebration, but every visit to Cafe Tu Tu Tango will feel like one for the kids especially. Set up like a giant artistic playground and infused with fun colorful staff, this cafe pulls out all the stops as well as great food to ensure you are having the best experience.
Another great place to eat in Orlando is Press 101 which offers a very healthy option for the family with a range of soups, simple meals and fine gourmet sandwiches. And then there is Dicks Last Resort which is arguably one of the most fun eating experiences anywhere in the world; rude, obnoxious and hilarious, it is not often your server is so amusing. The food is great, the entertainment is even better and the kids will absolutely love it.
As mentioned above, the best way to save on a budget when it comes to eating out is to use restaurant discounts provided by a travel club such as Hotels Etc. These travel membership cards are available to use at most major restaurants and can also be used on hotels, theme parks, golf clubs etc.

Where to find the best hotels in Orlando

International Drive is usually the location for the most affordable accommodation in Orlando, but if you are not on a strict budget, the kids will fall in love with the Disney Properties such as any of the All Star Resorts which can be found at a reasonable price when using hotel discounts.

However, Disney’s Animals Kingdom or Disney’s Boardwalk are two of the absolute crowd favorites with an endless line of attractions on the grounds, along with the finest dining options and world class facilities.

Regardless of where you stay, the hotels in Orlando are generally to a high standard, but where children are concerned, it is always best to cut down on the travel time and stay close to the main attractions. In this sense, it is always best to use hotel discounts, restaurant discounts etc to afford the best hotels and best places to eat.

Hotels Etc is a travel membership club who offer clients hotel discounts and more in return for a minimal membership fee. You can click here to sign up for a free trial with Hotels Etc today.

5 Affordable places to eat in New York

by hotelsetc, posted in Restaurants

Most certainly one of the most interesting and enjoyable cities in the world, New York is also one of the most expensive, whether it be the cost of hotels, restaurants, transport and major attractions. Naturally, when it comes to food (and all of the above) the best way to cut down on these cost is by using restaurant discounts for New York but there is also the option of searching out some genuinely cheap places to eat.

Here is a list of 5 affordable places to eat in New York:

Joes Pizza

New York is famous for many things, and none less than Pizza. You can find great pizza for ten times the cost in world class restaurants next to Times Square, but searching out a genuine, local pizza parlor such as Joes Pizza in Greenwich Village. Not only do Joes ensure the finest an freshest produce with Italian tomatoes and the highest quality cheese, but they also keep their prices to a minimum and you can easily leave Joes without spending more than five bucks.

7 Carmine Street, @ Bleecker Street, New York

restaurant discounts

Il Bambino Panini, Astoria

Located in Astoria, this is another Italian themed eatery which is a touch of class for under $10. Separating itself from the crowd by serving their dishes in the form of Tapa’s, Il Bambino Panini is known for providing incredible variety when it comes to types of bread and cheese in particular. An ideal place to start the night, with cheap drinks to go with the tasty affordable eats.

34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria

Los Tacos #1

Expect a busy counter with a line up of regulars waiting for their daily dose of Taco heaven. Los Tacos is not only delicious, but an establishment serving generous portions for very low prices. Again, for less than $5 you can enjoy some fresh tortillas filled with the freshest ingredients, from avocado, succulent meats, colorful vegetables and creamy sauces. Not the most famous Taco restaurant in New York, and the many hundreds of satisfied regulars will be hoping it stays that way.

75 9th Ave, New York, NY

restaurant discounts

Crif Dogs

If you are genuinely looking for something quick, cheap and cheerful, look no further than Crif Dogs where the famous American hot dog has never been dressed so well. These may be priced at half the cost you might expect, but Crif’s do not cut corners and every serving is covered in tasty fillings to accompany the juicy dog itself. Several sides are also available including some stringy and strangely satisfying waffle fries.

113 St. Marks Pl ,New York

Amy’s Bakery

Open every day, filled with the kind of food you would expect to accompany the title of the cafe. Amy’s Bakery offers a wide range of home cooked food, tasty sandwiches and an assortment of fresh cakes. Quiet and unassuming, this bakery is a quaint place to enjoy breakfast, coffee or lunch and always with a low price attached to some food of high value.

672 Ninth Ave, New York

Aside from the cheap places to eat in New York, it can still be an affordable city to visit when using restaurant discounts, along with the many other special offers available through a Travel membership club. You can start a free trial for these discounts today with Hotels Etc.

When life gives you lemons, take a vacation

by hotelsetc, posted in travel, vacation

“He was a walking refutation of that dogmatic statement, Mens sana in corpore sano. His was a sound mind in an unsound body. He proved the eternal paradox of things. He cashed in on his disabilities. He picked up the lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade-stand.” Marshall P Wilder.

Mass production, mass consumption, mass disillusion; earning a living is hard, nobody said it would be easy, but nobody said it would be this hard either. We live in a modern world with endless options and decisions, something made increasingly difficult in the past two decades with the arrival of the online world and the increased amount of competition it has created among peers.

Truth is, frightening statistics have already proven that this mass build up is not only happening, but increasing,  and it is also the number one reason for mass disillusion or even depression. It doesn’t take very much to understand how busy life has become either, it seems more people are working more overtime, and less time off is naturally leading to less enjoyment in life. While earning a living, being successful and progressing a career are all admirable, the value and benefit of taking time out from this busy lifestyle, should not be ignored.

On the contrary, statistics are on hand to show that people who take more time off work and travel on more vacations, are more satisfied and less stressed. Even if the past few weeks or months have been hectic, even if you have worked every hour of every given day for eight months, having a vacation to look forward to and then utilize to distress is worth far more than any monetary value placed on the vacation.

So why do people not take more vacations? Essentially, this will rarely come down to lack of vacation leave or workload, after all a year is a long time and realistically, everyone can afford to put work on hold for 7 – 10 days to take time out.

The reason most people do not take a vacation is budget, as everyone knows that vacations cost money. However, regardless of whether you are working for minimum wage or a high flying senior investment manager, a vacation is affordable for anyone who looks in the right place. Unfortunately most people still see this “right place” as being a booking engine such as Expedia, Orbitz or another major travel brand when the truth is, these websites no longer offer the value they once did. No, since the arrival of the new rate parity laws, travel brands are no longer able to offer varying prices across different distribution channels which in essence stops them from offering any real discounts or special offers.

The solution? Today the only real way of finding genuine hotel discounts, travel offers, or affordable vacation packages is through a Travel membership club which offer discounts of up to 60-80% to their members in return for a minimal fee. These membership clubs may seem like newcomers to the travel industry but actually, they have been around since the 1970’s and Hotel Etc is one such club who have a five star trust rating, 4 million members and the highest number of repeat customers.

Vacation packages are quite affordable in the modern day but should that be slightly out of the current budget, membership with a travel club is the single best way to find the cheapest hotels or most affordable vacation packages. So next time you feel work gets on top of you or life seems to be moving too fast, for too long; organize your time off, sign up for Hotels Etc, take that vacation  you deserve and leave the phone at home.

It really is true; when life gives you lemons, take a vacation.

5 reasons to take a Caribbean vacation in 2016

by hotelsetc, posted in travel, vacation

At this time of year many people are still putting together their last minute plans for vacation, or planning ahead for later in the year, but the obvious, and difficult decision, is always in terms of where to go. While the US is full of great places to get away for the weekend or take an adventure, let’s face it; nothing beats the excitement of boarding a plane and taking off for some place tropical.

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Here are 5 reasons to take a Caribbean vacation in 2016:

Variety and quality of resorts

Few places in the world can rival the Caribbean when it comes to the variety of resorts; from the budget vacation packages on Aruba, to the high end luxury hotels in Punta Cana, there are options to suit all styles of travel, all budgets and standards.

In fact, it is not just the variety of resorts which is so appealing, but rather the quality. Whether you decide to go all out and book Live Aqua in Cancun, the more modest Barcelo in Punta Cana, or something even half the cost, you can usually expect a high standard in the Caribbean, with spacious rooms and friendly staff.

Affordable Caribbean vacations

As mentioned above, there are many affordable options in the Caribbean and some islands are less popular, and cheaper than others. However, the real advantage when you book a Caribbean vacation online is not just the selection or the number of providers offering to help you out; but rather the re-emergence of travel membership clubs.

Hotels Etc is a travel club which offers their members a simplified process in which you sign up, pick a destination, and make huge savings. Yes, it really is that simple. Hotels Etc provides hotel discounts and vacation packages with between 60 – 80% off. You can sign up for a free trial here.

Things to do in the Caribbean

Another highlight of a vacation to the Caribbean is the wide variety of things to see and do. White sandy beaches are synonymous with every destination, but there are also many options to take adventure tours and participate in local activities.

Volleyball, golf, tennis, scuba diving, snorkeling, and boating are just a few of the activities available from most resorts, while there are usually some excursions to parks, reserves or natural attractions in the nearby area.

The beaches and relaxation

Maybe this should go without saying, but it certainly should not be ignored; the Caribbean is home to many of the finest beaches in the world, where white powdered sands stretch on a far as the eye can see, next to an alluring ocean, with several shades of blue.

The beaches in the Caribbean are the ultimate place to unwind, relax and forget about the stress of modern day living. With no distractions and the soothing sound of the ocean, this truly is the highlight of any Caribbean vacation.

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All Inclusive savings

Hotel discounts and package offers are the best way to get your vacation off to the right start, but all inclusive resorts can also play a big part in the success of a vacation. With so much included in the cost of an all inclusive vacation, planning a trip could not be more convenient; food, drinks, spa treatment, laundry, even tours; an all inclusive vacation in the Caribbean is hands down, the easiest way to save on costs, and the best value for money vacation.

Sign up now for Hotels Etc membership and find out how 4 million members are getting their dream vacations, at affordable prices.

5 Quick and easy ways to save on travel in 2016

by hotelsetc, posted in travel

Taking a vacation doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. In fact, a little research and smart decisions can go a long way to making your dream vacation happen, for a fraction of the usual cost. Here are 5 quick and easy ways to help you save on travel in 2016:

Check out travel credit cards

A certain stigma attaches itself to the idea of having a credit card, and rightly so, for spending money you don’t have, or buying something you cannot afford, is always a bad idea. However, while they can have the same pitfalls, there is also a risk-free strategy with travel credit cards which can help you make huge savings on future travels.

Providing you do a little research and read the fine print on each one, a travel credit card with free air miles can be obtained with no upfront costs. In fact, there are travel cards which offer free air miles with absolutely no obligation for a minimum spend amount. Furthermore, this bonus will remain even if you decide to cancel the card at a later date and there is no limit to the number of travel credit cards you can obtain.

How to find the best travel credit card: A quick google search will bring up a dozen options for you to consider.

Get Hotel discounts and more

Since the introduction of rate parity laws, there is really no way to find genuine hotel discounts, other than joining a travel membership club.

In recent years, a mass number of booking engines and travel companies have saturated the online market, but what many people have not yet realized, is how the above mentioned law now restricts these businesses from providing the best hotel discounts, vacation packages or travel offers. Essentially, this means you will now find the same price for products or services across all channels of distribution and the end result; no real discount or value.

Thankfully, there is still a way to find the best hotel discounts or special offers, and it’s a very simple process which involves signing up for a travel membership club such as Hotels Etc and getting easy access to huge savings.

Hotels Etc is a reputable company with more than 20 years experience, and over 4 million members.

Invest in an unlocked cellphone, or don’t take one at all

With so much Wi-Fi access in travel destinations, there really is no need to be spending dollars on roaming charges; Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype all have a facility to make calls.

However, an even smarter move when it comes to traveling abroad is to take an unlocked cell phone and purchase a local SIM card on arrival. Most airports will sell a temporary SIM card at very low prices, and the rates for which you are charged while using it, is always a fraction of the costs incurred through data roaming.

Eat local, and eat cheap

Cost is not always a true reflection of the value, and this is most certainly the case when it comes to food. When you think about it; why not have food in the hotel room for an evening? or make some lunch using ingredients from the local supermarket?

Eating at a restaurant for every meal can be a sure fire way to use up the entire budget for a vacation, and choosing to prepare your own lunch every afternoon, can leave you a lot more disposable spending money for other activities. Another alternative is to choose local restaurants away from the main tourist hub; meals are often just as good, and half the price.

Get your timing right, and travel for half the price

Shoulder months are always the most affordable time to travel on vacation, the weather is generally still just as good in this period, and everything cost less. People with children may not have the luxury to plan a trip outside of school holidays, and then sometimes it is difficult to agree on the best time, if there is a group decision involved, but ultimately, it will lead to large savings.

In fact, recent travel deals have allowed Hotels Etc members to travel with up to 60 – 80% off a large variety of hotels and vacation packages. These were not last minute deals, but rather an example of the amazing hotel discounts which are provided through travel membership clubs.

Whatever happens, and whatever the weather, think smart, pay less and have just as much fun.

You can sign up for a free trial with Hotels Etc today and check out all the latest offers.