hotels/inns/rentals

Know Before You Go: Average Cost of a Mini-Bar Soda Around the World

by Kirsten on July 14, 2010

Most of us already know to avoid the mini-bar at all costs. The items are ridiculously priced and usually you can find a local store to pick up some snacks and drinks to have on hand in your hotel room. But what about those times we are temped? Perhaps we are dying for a jolt of caffeine and would love to have a chilled Coke or Pepsi. Is it worth spending the money? It may be, but take a look at the various prices of a Coke out of a hotel mini-bar across the world. You may re-think your choice dependant upon your destination!

The average cost of a soda from a mini-bar across the world:

Paris – $11. 76
I am not at all surprised that Paris tops the list. Known for their pricey food, high cost of living, and expensive hotel rates, this soda is outrageously expensive! My suggestion – skip the soda and get a nice drink down the street at an outdoor cafe. It probably will be cheaper and a good reason to sit and people watch!

New York – $7.10
Another expensive place to visit, the cost of a soda from the mini-bar reflects the high prices of the area. Definitely a lot better than Paris, but still ridiculously high, you can easily buy a bunch of six-packs for the same price of one! Skip!

Tokyo – $5.68
Although it is known that in Asian countries the dollar goes pretty far, I am surprised to see how pricey this small soda is! Tokyo is a bit more expensive than other cities in the country, so that may account for some of the cost, but still pretty shocking. Again – pass on the mini-bar!

Sydney – $5.12
I never knew that Australia was a pricey place to visit as well as to live until just recently, so the high cost of a Coke is not surprising to me when taken from a hotel mini-bar. I wouldn’t dream of paying this much for a soda!

Buenos Aires – $4.76
A place I am dying to visit, Buenos Aires is known for its beauty, chic city life, and warm people. Not so warm – the cost of a soda from the mini-bar! Wow. Knowing you can get a delicious meal for fractions of the cost of what we expect in the States, this surprises me! Definitely skip the mini-bar and go to a local spot for a drink and/or food. You will be surprised how far your money can go in Buenos Aires!

Cape Town – $2.63
I may think about spending this on a soda, until I remember that this is outrageously expensive, STILL! For one can of soda? I don’t think so. I guess if I was really, really thirsty I could take the leap, but in normal situations, I’ll pass.

What do you think of these prices? Are you willing to pay the price when desperate? Or would you skip it? Leave a comment with your thoughts below!

Love, K.

PS – I just love Travel + Leisure mag. When I saw this tidbit of info, I knew I had to share it with you! Thanks T+L!!

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How to pick the best hotel for your travels

by Kirsten on June 17, 2010

Picking a destination may be the most important part of the planning process, but selecting a hotel is not far behind. A hotel can often make or break your trip. Should you choose a place with horrible service, a property too far away from town, or even a place in dire need of an upgrade can be really disappointing, so much so that it likely could become one of the, “Do you remember that crap-hole we stayed in that one time?”, type of stories. Let’s avoid that kiddos.

So, what is the best way to pick a hotel? How do you know where you should stay on your vacation, or where to avoid? What type of property should you stay in – a boutique hotel, a resort, a condo? With so many different options available, it is easy to become overwhelmed. So let’s start with the basics.

How to research the best hotel, resort, or condo for your vacation
If there is one thing I do well, it’s research. I get a sick amount of enjoyment finding every minute detail and comparing and contrasting all the data collected to make some sort of educated travel decision.

research will help get you in the “travel mood”, providing great information on what to see and do, as well as where to stay
visit tripadvisor.com for awesome reviews, as well as a means of receiving uber-helpful unbiased information from fellow travelers in their forums section.
post questions on their forums. I always ask a ton of questions before my trip, and never am I disappointed with the quality and amount of responses I receive. This site gets an A+ in my book.

Picking the right type of property for your trip
Once you do a bit of research and feel like your head is ready to explode, don’t worry, this is normal, continue forward and think about the type of property you want to stay at. Do you want to stay in a big hotel or a boutique hotel?

Boutique Hotel

Large Hotel Chain

Vacation Rental

Many people don’t think outside the box, and automatically look for the name brand hotels and large resort properties of the area. In most instances, I really advise you against doing this. Why?

larger properties often lack the feeling of the local culture and experience
small boutique hotels, inns, or vacation rentals are often less expensive as well as provide for a more unique travel experience
big on charm and hospitality, these smaller properties sometimes provide extra amenities not found at larger hotels
Vacation rentals are a hidden gem! A great way to save money – not only do you get to live like the locals, but you get a full kitchen, which is an awesome way to save money!

Negotiating the right price for your hotel, inn, resort, or condo

Use sites like kayak.com, bing.com/travel, hotwire.com, or priceline.com for price comparison.
For smaller boutique hotel groups, like Kimpton, enroll in their rewards programs as they give exclusive discounts to their members!
Sign up to receive notification of the daily travel sample sales for deeply discounted rates at exclusive properties around the world (I just booked a boutique hotel in Chicago for $416 for four nights, regularly $1600!).
If you choose to rent a property from an individual, try negotiating a bit. They often are willing to drop the price a little, particularly if they don’t have many bookings during the time of your stay.

Remember – booking from someone directly is usually very safe and secure. Choose well known vacation sites to do your research and read the reviews from other travelers who have stayed there, and you should have no problems or concerns.

Side note: My uncle recently booked a two story state-of-the-art condo in Buenos Aires with a 360 degree wrap around balcony overlooking the entire city. The best part – it was half that of a major hotel. Check out sites like vrbo.com to see what is available at your destination.

Take the time to do your research, and find a place that is outside of the norm! Part of traveling is getting a whole new experience and education, as well as some rest and relaxation, or perhaps a bit of adventure. Should you need any help with your travel planning, research, or advice, email me at kirsten@travelingfashionista.com!