After 30 years of traveling for debate competitions—and more than a decade of family vacations—I’ve learned a lot about how to make extended hotel stays feel more like home without breaking the bank. From national debate tournaments that last nearly a week to three-night regional events and two-week summer trips, I’ve figured out systems that balance comfort, cost, and sanity.
Whether on the road for work, school events, or family fun, here’s how I manage hotel life in a way that saves money and energy, and still lets me enjoy the trip.
Unpacking with a plan
The first thing I do after checking in? Unpack with purpose. I immediately hang up clothes that need to de-wrinkle and fold the rest into drawers. This gives me an empty suitcase—and I put that empty space to work.
My Laundry System:
- Worn and dirty clothes go right back into the suitcase, keeping them separate from the clean ones.
- On the final day, I cover the packed dirty clothes with the hotel’s laundry bag and lay clean items on top. Zip it up, and I’m ready to go! Saves time and frustration for those busy mornings checking out of the hotel.
If I’m driving (not flying) and staying for more than a week, I’ll often pack my clothes in a laundry basket instead. Dirty clothes go back into the basket just like at home. If there’s laundry on-site and time allows, I’ll wash everything before we leave. It’s a small act of kindness to my future self.
Food for frugality – and sanity
Eating out can get expensive fast, and honestly, I get tired of it. I like my food a little healthier, a little more familiar, and a lot more budget-friendly.
Real-Life Example:
This morning, three of us went to Starbucks. I used my rewards to save $8, and we still spent $22.70—for a quick breakfast! Multiply that by a week, and you’re looking at over $140, just for breakfast.
Our hotel offers breakfast for $25/person. That’s $75/day for the three of us—totally not worth it.
My Strategy:
I went to Trader Joe’s and stocked up on:
- Fruit and yogurt
- Sandwich fixings
- Snacks for the evenings and weekend
- Tea bags and a pitcher from home
The total? $130 for two weeks of breakfasts, lunches (for me), and snacks. Yes, I’ll still splurge on a few lattes—because joy matters too—but this setup is saving us time, money, and mental energy. The only thing I wish we had is a microwave in-room, but we make do with the one in the lobby. And although the refrigerator is small, it fits quite a bit!
Pro Tip: A “pantry bench” in the room—a surface where we keep all our food that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Finding free (or cheap) fun
Travel should be fun, but fun doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ve splurged on big things this year—Disneyland tickets, Giants/Dodgers baseball game seats, driving lessons, and a laptop for our daughter—but we’re also finding budget-friendly joy.
Our Cheap & Cheerful Itinerary:
- Aquarium Summer Nights with DJs and a Grunion Run (free!)
- Broad Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art (free!)
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (cheap!)
- Old Farmers Market with a stop at the Yellowjackets Ice Cream Truck pop-up (free?)
- The Grove and Sockerbit, a TikTok-famous Swedish candy shop (cheap)
- Zuma Beach (if the June Gloom allows it) (free)
- Hotel Pool & Hot Tub evenings (free)
- Backyard BBQs with local friends (free/cheap)
Honestly, some of our favorite memories come from free stuff—hanging out, walking around new places, people-watching, or swimming under the stars.
Final Thoughts: Small Tweaks, Big Payoff
Extended hotel stays don’t have to drain your wallet or your energy. A few thoughtful routines—like unpacking with a plan, stocking your own snacks, and prioritizing meaningful activities—can make travel feel intentional and enjoyable.
Do you have your own travel rituals that make hotel life easier? I’d love to hear your tips and hacks in the comments!
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