Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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dryer, and kitchenwar e. The range is fr om budget to delux e, so
most pocketbooks can be accommodated. R
entals range fr om
US$150 to US$2,000 per night.
Villas of D istinction ( & 800/289-0900 in the U.S.; www .villas
ofdistinction.com) offers upscale private villas with one to six bed-
rooms and a pool throughout the Caymans. From town houses to
beachfront villas, all their lodgings ar e beautifully furnished.
Hideaways Aficionado ( & 888/843-4433 in the U.S., or 603/
430-4433; fax 603/430-4444; www .hideaways.com) publishes
Hideaways Collection, a pictorial directory of home rentals through-
out the world, including the Cayman I slands. Rentals range from
cottages to staffed villas. Hideaways International can also help you
charter yachts and arrange cr uises, flights, car r entals, and hotel
reservations. Annual membership is US$195.
SAVING ON YOUR HOTEL ROOM
The rack rate is the maximum rate that a hotel charges for a r oom.
Hardly anybody pays this price, however, except in high season or on
holidays. To lower the cost of your room:
Ask about special rates or other discounts. You may qualify for
corporate, student, militar y, senior, frequent-flier, trade union, or
other discounts.
Dial direct. When booking a r oom in a chain hotel, y ou'll often
get a better deal b y calling the individual hotel 's reservation desk
rather than the chain's main number.
Book online. Many hotels offer Internet-only discounts, or supply
rooms to Priceline, Hotwire, or Expedia at rates much lo wer than
the ones you can get through the hotel itself.
Remember the law of supply and demand. You can save big on
hotel rooms by traveling during a destination's off season or shoul-
der seasons, when rates typically dr op, even at luxury properties.
Look into group or long-stay discounts. If you come as part of a
large group, you should be able to negotiate a bargain rate. Like-
wise, if y ou're planning a long stay (at least 5 days), y ou might
qualify for a discount. As a general r ule, expect 1 night free after a
7-night stay.
Sidestep excess surcharges and hidden costs. Many hotels hav e
adopted the unpleasant practice of nickel-and-diming its guests
with opaque sur charges. When y ou book a r oom, ask what is
included in the r oom rate, and what is extra. A void dialing direct
from hotel phones, which can hav e exorbitant rates. And don't be
tempted b y the r oom's minibar offerings: M
2
ost hotels charge
through the nose for water, soda, and snacks.
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