Fast Five Travel Tips: How to get more from your hotel

Most vacations include a hotel stay or some sort of rental. Ask any hospitality employee, there are better rooms, perks, and services you may or may not be aware of. Here are 5 tips to improve your odds of seeing the best possible stay.

1. Smile and be patient when you check in. You, and every other traveller is tired and cranky after a long day. How would you like to be the clerk on the receiving end of this every single hour of every shift? So, smile, be patient and engage them in conversation like you would a friend.

2. Identify your priority. Choose one thing you would appreciate in a room, and mention it. Don't ask for the world. Want to be close to the pool? The lounge or the shuttle stop? Be realistic though. If you Hotwired a room, don't expect the Regal Suite without a serious upgrade charge.

3. Ask.  Just because they note a resort fee, doesn't mean it's mandatory. Ask if it can be waived or reduced. If you don't use the tennis court and daily newspaper you might not have to pay for it.

4. Loyalty club. Clubs are free to join. It's a way for the hotel to track your stays. The more you stay, the more important you become to them.

5. Money talks. Don't forget to tip your servers, your valet and even the front desk. Flash the cash when you walk in to enjoy a better stay. Don't save it for your exit. Gratuities are a form of appreciation and respect. The hospitality industry is hard work for generally little pay. Your gratuities make a difference.

Fast Five Travel Tips: Airports

Five great things about airports:

1. People watching. You see expert travellers, bag ladies (carrying big purses etc - too much stuff, lol), athletes, celebrities, and wonderful family reunions.

2. Candy stores.  Where else do you see such great and colourful treats in one place? Pick up a treat for your hosts, and one for yourself.

3. They are safe.  Consider the security and the lack of random people hanging around... very safe.

4. Time. Time to spend sitting quietly, sipping a coffee and watching movies or reading. It's refreshing to have a "forced" time to sit peacefully. It's a nice break from the ordinary.

5. Wine and magazines. You can have a drink, or two.... heck, you're not driving. Go for it! And where, other than an airport, do you ever see such a vast selection of magazines anymore?  Wine and a magazine... the perfect combo.

I think we're done

If you've been crazy enough to be a regular reader of this blog, you'll know I love Vegas and the Tropicana Hotel.  Well, things are a changing in sin city. The Tropicana has been sold to the Doubletree - Hilton chain.

It had been previously owned by a Canadian private equity firm Onex Corporation. They led the path out of bankruptcy protection in 2009.  With a failed night club attempt, a poker room closure and the lack of a marquee performance act the future did not look that bright. Thus, I am not that surprised that they sold.

However, 2010-2012 the Tropicana was awesome. Millions in renovations, fresh attitudes and fantastic food kept me going back. I did indeed love the TropLV. We had good times.

Hilton took over today. My favourite restaurant Bacio, and their chef Carla have parted ways.

I have no reason to return to the Trop. Good news for me though... next time in Vegas I'll get to try a new hotel. And chef Carla Pellegrino has opened up her own restaurant The Meatball Spot and the reviews I have read are outstanding.

I've also decided to separate travel from this blog and have moved it over to Escapethe204. I think I will get a little more specific over there.  Short and sweet travel blogs. Yes, Jenn, I'll still ramble on about how I love Delta Airlines and why it's cool to fly from Minot. ;)

Here, who knows... more Assorted Cathie. Hard to believe it has been over 2 years already. I continue to do it, just to write. It satisfies the part of me that needs to write. I don't do it for money. I don't do it for any commercial purposes. I simply do it to relax and empty my brain. Helps me sleep better. Keeps me out of trouble.

Cheers!

Departure Gate GFK

Grand Forks, North Dakota has a great little airport. GFK in your airport codes and search engines. Very recently, United Airlines has decided to offer connecting flights from GFK to DEN. From Denver you can go anywhere in the world.

This is a good thing.

More choices means better prices. I have noticed that Delta airlines is consistently offering below market price fares out of GFK. Why? Because they don't want to lose existing business. They want to keep their plane loads at viable levels.

What does this mean to you?  You can now fly Delta, United or Allegiant out of Grand Forks. You can save yourself $200 or more on a return trip if you fly out of GFK. It can mean a difference of $1000 to a family of 5. Is that worth it? Yes.

What if it means an overnight stay in Grand Forks? Great news there too. There are tons of great hotels within 15 minutes of the airport. An average night's stay will run you about $70.

More options means more travel. More travel means more life experience.

Of course, prices vary on your travel dates and destination.

Visit their local tourist blog to learn more about Grand Forks.

Cross Border Healthy

Canadians have, for decades, travelled to the United States in search of bargains and a little escape from the every day. To make a border-run for a quick weekend of shopping is pretty normal. If you go with your family, it's an inexpensive change from the ordinary. Kids love to swim in the hotel pool. The self -serve waffles at the continental breakfast station are a fun treat. It's a good chance for families to re-connect. 

There is, of course, a considerable argument for shopping at home. "Buy local." "Buy Canadian." Buying your goods at home contributes to the local economy. Whether it's a mom and pop shop, or a US Big Box retailer, if its in your community, it supports the local community by providing jobs, taxes and charitable support. 

However, there are benefits to travelling as well. And I feel this applies to wherever you travel, near or far, and regardless of purpose. When you leave your own community (for a vacations/business trip) you  AND your community benefits for these reasons: 

1. Perspective. When you see how other people live you appreciate what you have yourself. For example, in the flood of 2011 cities and towns in 2 provinces and 2 states were significantly affected, though none greater than Minot, North Dakota. The city was flooded. Many homes and businesses completely destroyed by 15 feet of water that submerged everything. This community is like ours. It could have been us. Minot is rebuilding. They want visitors. An injection of "outside money" is how they are going to bounce back. Visiting is how we can show friendly support. 

2. New ideas. It's a reality, franchises are born in the United States, and later enjoyed by Canadians. For entrepreneurs, it's a treasure chest of ideas. When new businesses/franchises set up at home, your community benefits through employment, commercial real estate use and more. 

3. You can't live in a bubble. To stay in your own 10 mile zone is not healthy. Live. Explore.

4. Respect. Travelling across borders requires stops at Customs. This is a formal process, not to be taken lightly. This process can show children another aspect of law enforcement, show them how honesty, integrity and respect for laws helps us live in a civil society. 

5. Work your brain. To travel means to learn. To learn means to create new paths in your brain. To only travel in the familiar literally stimulates your mind less. You use less brain function. For example, if you drive by the same billboard every day and it says "Stay at Super8 for Less" you begin to ignore it. It's part of the landscape. Your brain assumes it will be there and pays no attention. However, if one day it says, "Buy milk at Barneys" your brain receives new stimulus. Now, imagine going someplace new where every sign is new. Brain stimulus slows aging and preserves brain function.  Never stop learning!

Fast Five Travel Tips: Choosing a destination

Whether it's a family trip, or a solo adventure, your biggest decision is your destination. A few quick tips on how I choose.

1. Who is actively promoting their tourism industry? See commercials for California? Airlines offering packages? If they want you visit... that's a good sign.

2. Is it a relatively new destination with your favourite airline? You may find incentive packages or fantastic initial discounts.

3. Is there an event you'd like to see? Running of the bulls? A New Orleans Saints football game? Is there an activity on your bucket list that corresponds with a certain destination?

4. Cost of travel. Some remote locations are very challenging to get to and costs will be significantly higher. How much do you have to spend.... time wise and money wise? This is a very important point.

5. But don't be a lemming. Just because everyone else is going to Cuba, or Mexico or Fargo North Dakota, doesn't mean you have to. Choose where your imagination wants to go. Pursue adventures. Pursue personalized travel above all. Go where YOU want to go!

As always, I recommend seeing what the fine folks on Tripadvisor.com say. They are avid travellers and readers too. There is always good information on specific locations, hotels and restaurants. There are some excellent tips, from real people, that can help you make the most of your travel time and dollar. Choose wisely young grasshopper!

Fast Five Travel Tips: Christmas booking time is now

1. Booking in September, for Christmas travel means you should get what you want, for the price you can live with.

2. There are still decent flight times, and flight prices available.

3. Find yourself a hotel haven. Grab a room at the inn, before you're left out in the cold, or on aunt Betty's basement couch.

4. A Christmas vacation is a gift in itself. Your shopping is done!

5. Last minute all-inclusive Christmas vacations are like eating 3 day-old leftovers.... iffy at best. Why take chances with your money, or your memories? Book the vacation YOU want, rather than take what nobody else wants.