Few things pain me more than spending a big chunk of change on an 'ok' hotel or travel experience. Why? Because there are so many deals out there right now - particularly in the US - that it's completely unnecessary. These days, you can spend a little bit extra and get a whole lot more.
Case in point: I just got back from a stay at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans. I'm not exactly in the typical Ritz income bracket. But I do know how to research deals online. This one I happened to find via Expedia. After I booked the room, I spent some time reading reviews on Trip Advisor, and discovered that a number of visitors really recommended upgrading to the Club Level. Normally, I wouldn't even consider spending an extra $120 a night just to get a cushier room at a hotel where every room is certain to be amazing. However, by reading the reviews I discovered that this particular upgrade just might pay for itself. How? Well, the Club Level offers free food and drinks all day long. That meant we didn't have to pay for breakfast or lunch, and we got a head start on our alcoholic beverages for the evening. It was an incredibly deluxe experience, and it really didn't cost that much more than a 'meh' hotel would have set us back once aspects like the free food and drinks were factored in.
This is essentially a long-winded way of saying: it pays to do your homework sometimes. To help make things a little easier for those who may not find deal-hunting as endlessly fascinating as I do, I'm hoping to compile and share as many tips and travel reviews as I can here.
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