Admit it, you sang the jingle in your head when you read the title of this post, didn't you? That's alright, I've had it stuck in my head all morning while thinking of this post!
This past weekend I decided to surprise my kids with a night out of town. There have been some huge personal changes in our lives recently and I felt we were all due for a mini vacation and the mental break. Unfortunately, there's always reality.....bills, mortgages, and responsibilities that hinder the opportunity to whisk away to tropical destinations at a moment's notice. Eliminating Hawaii, Paris and Milan.....I decided on Bellingham Washington. Bellingham is approximately a 2-21/2hr drive from our place. Far enough away to feel like we are "getting away" yet close enough to drive. It offers many different foods and treats that we can't find back home which is fun for the kids. And let's not forget those amazing dairy prices!
Now....to book a hotel. There were a few parameters that I was looking to fill but at the same time I recognize that it is only for the night and I do not need to sleep at the Ritz (although I'm sure it would feel fantastic!). I needed two beds, close to a mall or something likewise to entertain the kids, easy to find (I'm not the greatest person at directions!), a pool or hot tub, and a continental breakfast included. Going forward I realize that the pool/hot tub is not so required anymore as my kids are getting older and we seldom use the pool once we get there. I'm sure the first time I book one without though.....they will want to go swimming!
I digress....While searching online for a hotel, I found that the price ranged from approximately $129 - $169cdn before taxes. Although I was prepared to grimace and pay, I suddenly remembered one of my co-workers talking about an online hotel booking site called Hotwire.com. It's a site where you type in your parameters of what you are looking for, and then a list of available hotels pops up. You are not told the name of the hotel or the exact location until you book the room. It is a way for large hotel chains to fill empty rooms. I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised to see rooms listed from $65-$95 per night. I read the reviews and settled on one listed at $75. After entering my credit card information, I was notified that we were booked in at the Best Western Heritage Inn. After taxes were added, my final cost was $90.63cdn. Out of curiosity, I went to the actual hotel website and tried to book the same room to compare costs. After taxes it was $184.68!! I saved 49% on my room!
We arrived at the hotel to discover a beverage station complete with cookies to welcome you to the hotel. They offered a heated outdoor pool and indoor hot tub and sauna. It is an older hotel but they have recently invested in numerous upgrades, including new linens and an enhanced continental breakfast. It is conveniently located right across the highway from a large mall which was perfect for teenagers. Breakfast the next morning was more than substantial.....everything from eggs and sausages to cereal and made-to-order waffles (in original or blueberry!). Not having to purchase breakfast was an additional savings for us.
Other highlights to our mini vacation included: $2 energy drinks (something I NEVER let me kids have), a $1 massage in the mall (in one of those leather recliners), and novelty cereal to bring back home with us. I stocked up on some yogurt and cheese before we left and we arrived back home just after dinner on Sunday night.
The best part of this mini vacation was the opportunity to spend some quality time with my kids. We went with no timeline or schedule which allowed us the freedom to explore to our heart's content. My heart melted when the kids each took me aside Sunday night to thank me for the trip and to tell me how much fun they had. It doesn't always have to cost a lot to make an impact.
Happy travels
