Summer Vacation
In the past, finding the best value accommodation on your vacation has made me feel like I needed a second vacation to recover, writes Jack Nunn.
In the movie ‘Up in the air’, George Clooney’s character makes an interesting observation. “Think about the most memorable moments of your life,” he says, “were you ever alone? Or were you with your family?”
I stopped and found myself searching through the corridors of my mind, searching for what my ‘most memorable memories’ were. And I realized that they were all from various family summer vacations. Playing on the beach in Cairns, waking up before dawn in Alice Springs to catch glimpses of the sun kissing the red peak of Uluru. Sitting on my father’s lap as he let me drive the car in a deserted meadow in the Victoria countryside.
Summer vacations are a rare amount in life. One week in January can literally forge a lifetime of memories, experiences and stories. It is such an important part of being Australian that we are obliged to do everything we can to make the most of it. And usually the main constraint in this is money.
Whether it’s packing your bags and driving down the coast, stopping regularly to sample the best of Australia’s beaches, or flying to a faraway destination in this Great Southern Land, you’ll need a place to stay. And since the advent of low-cost airlines and efficient hybrid engines, hotel and motel accommodations have become the single most important cost that allows you to make the most of your summer adventure.
Finding accommodation and then booking it is a feat in itself. But trying to figure out if you’ve overpaid is even more difficult. So, if you will allow me to go back into the corridor of my mind, I will try to point out a few things that I have chosen during my various summer vacations.
1) Reserve early.
Even Australia’s most remote city, a place you might think NO ONE else would have heard of, will be packed during the summer. It’s just the way it is. Being a nomad is in our blood and we all love to hit the road during the summer, so make sure you book early rather than just assuming you’ll find a vacancy in the city you’re heading to. Booking online is optimal.
2) Most hotels charge reservation fees.
Think of it as your way of trying to maximize your own vacation. If you’re not careful, you could be paying 15% more just to be vigilant.
3) It’s a jungle out there.
Ask any travel agent; actually, don’t. They will only confuse you even more. There is such a plethora of accommodation options that it’s easy to get disoriented and confused.
But I have found a suitable solution for the above 3 considerations. This solution has allowed me to make the most of my vacation by ensuring that I get the best value for money accommodation.
Motel Links is an online reservation site like no other. It allows you to search for hotel and motel listings anywhere in Australia, and then connect you directly to the provider. This means that you do not incur a booking fee and you are not charged a commission. And the convenience of use means you can book efficiently and then spend the rest of your time thinking of ways to have fun on your vacation.
I have found that it is easily the best option for booking holiday accommodation. But better yet, my kids have had the best summer vacation of their lives and they will have those memories forever.