| NEEDHAM, Mass., March 27, 2008 - TripAdvisor®, the
world's largest travel community, has announced its top 10 family friendly
bargain hotels, according to traveler ratings for family-friendliness,
with an average rate of $123 per night.
TripAdvisor also conducted a family travel survey of more than 2,400
respondents worldwide, and discovered that more than half of travelers
surveyed (51 percent) said money is the biggest barrier when it comes to
taking family vacations. The hardest part of taking a family vacation is
staying on budget, according to nearly one-third (30 percent) of respondents
who take trips with their children. Forty percent of travelers said they
sometimes include the grandparents on a family vacation and 10 percent
of those travelers said it's so they can pay part or all of the tab (beyond
their own expenses).
Sixty-three percent of respondents with children sometimes leave the
kids behind when it comes to leisure trips. Forty percent of travelers
surveyed said they are willing to leave their children at a kids' program
while on vacation.
Twenty-two percent of travelers plan to take more family vacations in
the next 12 months than in the last 12 months, while 63 percent plan to
take the same amount of vacations this year. Twenty-nine percent said they
will spend more on their family vacations this year than last.
Top 10 Bargain Hotels
for Families in the U.S.
.
1. Water World: Dunes Village Resort, Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina --
Average Nightly Rate: $139
Featuring its own fantastic indoor
water park, in addition to beautiful
ocean views, the new Dunes Village
Resort is a property that is as
appealing to children as it is
parents. Visitors will marvel at the
resort's huge indoor river ride
and water slide. According to a
TripAdvisor traveler, "Very clean
rooms, water parks were amazing and
the view was to die for!"
Dunes Village Resort
5200 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
.
2. Pop Top: Disney's Pop Century Resort,
Orlando, Florida -- Average
Nightly Rate: $104
Pop Century is an entertaining
resort that features themed areas
celebrating American pop culture
from the past, and offers several
outstanding heated pools.
Said one TripAdvisor traveler, "There are
many pools, ALL the employees
and guests are very kind, it's very close
to all the parks, and the rooms
were very clean and very new!"
Disney's Pop Century Resort
1050 Century Drive, Orlando, Florida
.
3. Hooray for HoJo: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
- Anaheim, Anaheim,
California -- Average Nightly
Rate: $105
A short walk to all the attractions
at Disneyland, the hotel has two
pools, a "spray ground" for the
kids, and spacious rooms with free
internet access. As one
TripAdvisor traveler said, "The HoJo is
definitely value for money! The
service desk was pleasant, the
concierge was very helpful and
the rooms were quite big and
comfortable."
4. Happy Horizons: Horizons by Marriott Vacation
Club at Orlando, Orlando,
Florida -- Average Nightly Rate:
$151
With a pirate-themed pool and
water slide pool, the kids will have
plenty to enjoy. A gamer's paradise,
the resort also features
basketball hoops, pool tables,
ping pong, and a mini golf course.
Stated one TripAdvisor traveler,
"For families with kids under 10 or so
this is an awesome place. If they
like pirate type stuff, this place is
unbeatable."
5. Lights, Camera, Fun: Disney's All-Star Movie
Resort, Orlando, Florida
-- Average Nightly Rate: $103
Featuring themes of many popular
Disney movies, the resort has several
delightful pools for the kids,
as well as an arcade and some remarkable
family-friendly hotel amenities,
such as babysitting and laundry
services. As one TripAdvisor traveler
said, "The atmosphere is very
festive and you definitely feel
the Disney 'magic.'"
6. Viva Grande Vista: Marriott's Grande Vista,
Orlando, Florida -- Average
Nightly Rate: $156
Offering large, comfortable rooms
and beautiful views overlooking a
lake and wonderful pools, the
Grande Vista is a great choice for
families interested in extra space.
As one TripAdvisor traveler said,
"We had a 2-bedroom unit that
was simply fabulous. The room was
spacious and was fully equipped
with everything you would have in your
home."
7. No Place Like Homewood: Homewood Suites Anaheim
-- Main Gate Area,
Anaheim, California -- Average
Nightly Rate: $121
Only one mile from Disneyland,
Homewood Suites offer spacious
accommodations, helpful staff
and a nice daily buffet breakfast, in
addition to the pool and fitness
center. According to a TripAdvisor
traveler, "The whole place is
delightful, the suites are spacious and
immaculately clean, with all the
facilities required for a comfortable
stay."
8. A Great Stay: Staybridge Suites Lake Buena
Vista, Orlando, Florida --
Average Nightly Rate: $155
Large rooms, great facilities
and location and outstanding outdoor and
indoor pools make the Staybridge
Suites a great destination for
families. As one TripAdvisor traveler
described, "This is a perfect
place for families who prefer
to stay in a suite rather than the
standard hotel layout."
9. Maingate Mainstay: Comfort Suites Maingate
East, Kissimmee, Florida --
Average Nightly Rate: $98
The Comfort Suites Maingate East
makes families feel at home by
offering large suites, free internet,
deluxe continental breakfasts and
a large outdoor pool, spa tub
and a children's pool. As one
TripAdvisor traveler said, "This
place is very nice for the price. The
rooms are huge, complete with
free internet and refrigerator."
10. Music to Their Ears: Disney's All-Star Music
Resort, Orlando, Florida
-- Average Nightly Rate: $102
With a musical theme throughout
the grounds, including oversized
musical instruments and music
piped throughout the property and pools,
this resort is a hit for children.
As one TripAdvisor traveler
commented, "We can't say enough
good things about this resort." |
.
"These hotels are great for families and easy on the wallet," said Michele
Perry, for TripAdvisor. "Outstanding pools are what really set these properties
apart, and when planning trips with kids, it's always nice to be able to
save some money where you can."
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