Let the weekend fun continue! We’re wishing you and yours a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. If you’re looking for a place to get out of town soon, visit www.countryinns.com to discover our hotel packages for great destinations all across this Country.
Happy Fourth of July!
Did you know that the state of Virginia is the birthplace of more presidents than any other state? Eight of our U.S. presidents were born in Virginia. Learn other interesting U.S. facts by booking one of our Tours & Sightseeing hotel packages. These activity filled destinations make the perfect summer getaway, just in time for Fourth of July weekend.
And, as always at Country Inns & Suites, enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free high-speed Internet in the U.S. and Canada.
Make this Fourth of July one to remember forever!
A tough economy has made many businesses, and their traveling employees, rethink how they spend travel budgets. Even if your company hasn’t put the squeeze on your expense account, it’s a good idea to watch your spending and show that you have their interests in mind. Being a conscientious traveler is sure to make a good impression no matter how your budget has changed.
At the Airport
If you’re flying to your destination, the first thing you can do to make a difference is to book early. Fares will continue to increase, as your departure date grows closer. If you can, book at least two weeks in advance to avoid price increases.
When your travel day arrives, save money by catching a ride. Parking costs add up quickly and can eat into your travel budget. If you don’t have someone who can drop you off, weigh the cost of taking a taxi from your house versus parking. Many airports also have inexpensive long-term parking with shuttles to and from the terminal. You may even be able to negotiate with some of the companies managing off-site parking and get lower rates for extended stays.
Many airlines now charge baggage fees of about $25 per checked bag. If you’re able to travel with only a carry-on bag, you’ll save on fees and not have to waste time waiting in baggage claim. If you need a larger bag, consider an airline that doesn’t charge fees, such as Southwest. Many airlines also waive baggage fees for customers who have reached a certain status in their loyalty programs.
Take Advantage of Hotel Amenities
Some hotels charge outrageous amounts for amenities such as Internet, parking and breakfast. Even if you find a low room rate, these extra fees can bring your nightly costs to that of a premium hotel. An easy way to make your company’s bean counters happy is to pick a place that includes these perks.
Every Country Inn & Suites hotel offers free hot breakfast and, in the U.S. and Canada, free high-speed Internet. That could mean a savings for a family of four of about $50 a day for choosing one of these properties over other hotels.
Avoid Car Rental “Extras”
Renting a car is more complicated than ever. Do you need insurance? A GPS? A hybrid? Extra mileage? Chances are, you’re fine answering, “No.” Check with your company administrators, but you’re likely to be covered under your company insurance and can decline additional coverage. A GPS can be convenient, but it’s usually not worth the extra cost. And most rentals include unlimited mileage, but check to be sure.
As for the type of car, it’s better to go ahead and lock in the low rate on a compact and upgrade on the spot. The low-price economy and compact classes sell out first so you may get lucky and get an automatic upgrade to the next available car class. Even if you’re not offered an upgrade, you can usually negotiate one at the service desk. You may even get one for free—it never hurts to ask!
Country Inns & Suites is proud to sponsor the Best of the Road tour with Rand McNally and USA Today!
On June 23, five Best of the Road teams will embark on an unforgettable three-week adventure. Teams will depart from New York City and take different routes that will zig-zag across the country with a final stop at Los Angeles. Each team will enjoy a unique journey tailored to explore the country’s best towns for: beauty, patriotism, friendliness, fun, and food.
Traveling a variety of scenic routes, teams will leave no landmark unturned and no local secrets undiscovered, from dining and entertainment, natural landscapes and modern world wonders, to roadside rarities that make up the heart of America.
We’ll be following the team’s progress each day, so be sure to check back for all the updates and highlights! And, for more information on the teams, destinations, challenge and more please visit: http://www.bestoftheroad.com/
Researching and planning your next business trip or vacation is just a point and click away.
Remember when the idea of planning a trip online seemed as foreign as paperless bank statements and getting rid of your landline phone? Well, times have changed. These days, more than 90 million Americans use the Internet to research everything from airline tickets to local attractions and travel routes.
And while initially only a few names dominated the virtual playing field, now pioneers like Orbitz and Expedia have plenty of company in an online marketplace crowded with players. Beyond serving as virtual travel brokers, some sites are aggregators, pulling from multiple sources to let you compare apples to apples. Others take a page from the social networking model, offering consumer reviews from a community of like-minded travelers. Figuring out which site works best for you is the fun part.
Father’s Day is right around the corner and we want to help you find the perfect gift for the father in your life. Whether he’s a geeky guy, a burly outdoorsmen, or stylish fellow, we’ll help find the perfect gift for him.
For the Geeky Dad
He loves computers, he already has an Apple device (or 2), and his favorite reading material is a blog. This geeky guy loves relaxing with his technological devices, especially his iPad. The BookBook for iPad is a great gift idea.
For the Outdoor Dad
This dad loves being outside. Whether he’s fishing in a local river or painting the deck, nothing makes this guy happier than being outdoors. Show him what its like to be a cowboy with the Escape in Town Trail Ride hotel package by Country Inn & Suites Shoreview, MN. He’ll encounter a true “North Woods” experience just minutes from Country Inn & Suites Shoreview.
For the Stylish Dad
He loves reading design blogs and appreciates a good chair. This dad is an architect in his current life or was a famous painter in his previous life. Surprise him with a nice piece of furniture.
For the Athletic Dad
His favorite thing to do is to watch a live sporting event. And his second favorite thing to do is participate in a sporting event. This dad gets his fix from being on the field. These Sporting Events hotel deals will definitely put a smile on his face.
Have you ever had free time in a city but just didn’t know where to go, or settled for a mediocre restaurant because you didn’t have a recommendation? Travel guides aren’t just for exotic trips. They come in handy anytime you’re in an unfamiliar place. Especially if you’re travelling with family or want to do a lot of sightseeing, travel guides are great for insider tips and money-saving advice.
In Print
A lot of people prefer a physical travel guide that they can flip through, bookmark and take to their destination. Travel books offer maps, high-quality photos and listings in portable package. They also can be a fun way to get your family or group excited about an upcoming trip!
There is plenty of variety in the world of travel books to accommodate different travel styles and budgets. If you’re a visual type who values maps, photos and illustrations, check out DK Eyewitness guides. These books are especially good for family trips because they include floor plans of attractions, walking routes and tidbits from each region’s history.
Many travelers swear by Lonely Planet guides to help them discover authentic, local experiences. Lonely Planet caters to midrange and budget travelers who want to get off the beaten path.
Fodor’s travel guides may be mainstream, but they are reliable and packed with details. Each is written by a destination expert (usually a local writer) who recommends their favorite local spots.
On the Web
If you have a favorite travel book series, chances are the publisher has a robust website and even offers chapter downloads for your mobile device. Many of the traditional players in the travel guide market, such as Fodor’s, Frommer’s and Lonely Planet, have destination information and reader forums online.
For online recommendations and travel tips, no site beats TripAdvisor. Millions of users have rated and reviewed everything from Broadway shows in New York to Wacky Wahoo’s restaurant in Aruba. The candid comments help you decide what to skip and what you can’t miss at practically any destination in the world.
On Your Phone
If you have a smartphone, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great mobile apps that give you the information you need right on the spot. Using travel apps isn’t ideal if you want to browse, but they can’t be beat for finding restaurants and attractions based on your current location. Feeling hungry? Use Urbanspoon or Yelp to track down a restaurant near your location. You can filter by distance, cuisine and price.
There are many specialty apps for specific cities and attractions. Visitors to Boston, for example, can download an app for the Freedom Trail that maps the route and gives a description and photo at each stop or download MBTA apps with subway schedules and routes. Before visiting a new city, do a quick search of your favorite app website to see what’s available.
Memorial Day Weekend is great for spending quality time with loved ones. It’s also a great weekend to get outside and have some fun-in-the-sun. Forget the laptop at home and celebrate with us by booking one of these exciting hotel packages for Memorial Day.
Planning Memorial Day is fun and easy with Country Inns & Suites. Take a look at all of our outdoors hotel deals.
Happy Memorial Day.
Living green on the road is more than just a good idea. With close to 1 billion tourists traversing the globe every year, doing our best to preserve natural resources and be culturally and environmentally aware is our duty as a citizen of the planet. The good news is that you don’t have to be roughing it in the outback to make a difference. Traveling green is easier than you think. 
Green Travel Tips
All teams welcome! Whether you’re shooting hoops or hitting home runs, Country Inns & Suites supportsthe athletes in your life. With our TeamStop program, we’re proud to cater to your needs and provide winning features like great group rates and bonus Gold Points® through our Club Carlson® for Planners program .
Your winning team will also enjoy complimentary hot breakfast – ensuring that they stay energized for the big game. After the game they can take a relaxing dip in the pool, and stay in prime shape at the fitness center.
With our TeamStop program, you’ll enjoy additional features like:
For more information, visit our TeamStop program page or if you’re ready to book submit an online request for proposal.
