Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4. IF YOU MAKE YOUR OWN RESERVATION
Call and ask about specials before you in-
quire about corporate rates. Don't hesitate to bargain, but do it before you check in.
If you're buying a weekend package, for example, and want to extend your stay, you
can often obtain at least the corporate rate for the extra days.
BOB
Always call the hotel in question, not the hotel chain's national 800
number.
CONDOMINIUMS AND VACATION HOMES
VACATION HOMES ARE FREESTANDING
, while condominiums are essentially one- to
three-bedroom accommodations in a larger building housing a number of similar
units. In a condo, if something goes wrong, someone will be on hand to fix the prob-
lem.Vacationhomesrentedfromaproperty-managementcompanylikewisewillhave
someone to come to the rescue, though responsiveness tends to vary vastly from com-
pany to company. If you rent directly from an owner, correcting problems is often
more difficult, particularly when the owner doesn't live in the same area as the rental
home.
Because condos tend to be part of large developments (frequently time-shares),
amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, game arcades, and fitness centers
often rival those found in the best hotels. In a vacation home, all the amenities are
contained in the home (though in planned developments there may be community
amenities available as well). Depending on the specific home, you might find a small
swimming pool, hot tub, two-car garage, family room, game room, and even a home
theater. Features found in both condos and vacation homes include full kitchens, laun-
dry rooms, TVs, DVD players, and frequently stereos. Time-shares are clones when
