Comments on: Should I Pay More for an Oceanfront View?

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:03:42 +0000

I decided on a bit of a compromise. Two nights we'll stay in nice hotels with city or partial ocean views. The other two nights we're staying in a much pricier hotel in an oceanfront room. As MW said, my husband and I don't spurge often and I really want to make this trip memorable! Maybe I'll luck out and get upgraded the other two nights like a few of you suggested 🙂 After all we are celebrating our five year anniversary!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:00:12 +0000

Reserve the cheaper room and, upon check-in, discreetly slip the clerk a $20 underneath your credit card and mention that you're celebrating your anniversary.

By: Mary Weiland

Mary Weiland — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:55:53 +0000

Frugal Girl, I think it's time you splurge a little bit!!! The ocean view is expensive, but it's been forever since you've been away with just your husband. Treat it like a second honeymoon and enjoy yourself! Wouldn't it be nice to sit on the balcony each morning and sip on a cup of coffee… or end the night on the balcony, listening to the ocean and talking about what an amazing day you had. Do it!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:15:36 +0000

Don't overlook the beauty of the city at night...it is one of my favorite views in the world.

That said, I'd go for the ocean view because I love waking to the sound of the ocean and there's nothing like breakfast on the balcony. I would not spend $100 extra a night unless the hotel is spectacular!

Have fun either way.

Andrea

By: Abigail

Abigail — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:34:22 +0000

Personally, I just don't understand paying more for a view -- in an apartment or a hotel. But based on your description of wanting to wake up and see the beach, it sounds like your priorities are just different in this case.

Even so, I would be hesitant about spending $100 more. So maybe try to compromise? Get a slightly less extravagant hotel, but with an ocean view room?

I think that a little splurging is going to be okay.

You should figure out how much time you'll actually spend in the hotel room. If you plan to be active, you may barely be in the room. Which means the premium you pay for the ocean view is suddenly very pricey for a couple of hours a day, max.

Then again, if you believe in having a nice, relaxed time on your vacation and plan on making trips to and from the hotel a lot to rest up... Well, then you could be very glad that you can loll around in the room and still go stand out on the balcony, admiring the view and hear the waves.

By: T

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:07:54 +0000

Book the cheaper room. If its a big hotel, there's usually a spot to put in any special requests you may have. Tell them you're celebrating your anniversary and would appreciate a complementary upgrade. That usually works for when I travel for vacation.
Alternatively, you can be overly picky and complain about your room. There's always something that could be better (i.e. scratched furniture, small stains on the carpet, noise, etc)