To Scrimp or To Splurge?

Travel expert Arthur Frommer today blogged about the age-old travel question of scrimp or splurge. Arthur broke it down by different components of travel (cruises, meals, hotels, sightseeing/entertainment, & airfare), giving his take on whether it makes sense to opt for luxury or stick to the basics for each.

For Arthur, hotels fell under “Very Definitely Scrimp,” and his explanation brings up a valid point:

Too often, the difference between a deluxe hotel and a budget-priced one is the public area of the former having no relation whatever to the good night’s sleep you hope to enjoy in that hotel.

In other words, when you splurge on a hotel, your sleeping experience – the reason you’re at a hotel to begin with – is not necessarily any better than when you opt for a budget property.

Our stance on this is somewhat mixed, as we believe it depends on the situation. Sure, sometimes all you need is a good night’s sleep, and in those cases, the goal is to shell out as little money as possible. On the other hand, your hotel of choice plays a part in your overall vacation experience, in which case you’d want to go all out.

If you’re traveling for the purpose of attending an event (concert, sports, conference, etc.), dirt cheap is just fine. How much time are you really going to be spending in your room anyway?

On the other hand, if you’re visiting a place that’s known for extravagant accommodations, – New York City, Paris, etc. – living luxuriously for a few days only adds to the experience (think the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park South vs. the Howard Johnson in Brooklyn).

The point is, many factors contribute to the ultimate decision of scrimp or splurge. Fortunately, the choice is all yours!