Hotels.bootsnall.com

It’s not a surprise by now that the hotel market all over the world is not doing pretty well. Compared to last year, revenues went down, occupancy rates went down and things are moving slowly. Hoteliers are reluctant to predict a better future.

However, according to this article about the European hotel chain market in August 2009 , the rate of decline of the revenue per available room (RevPAR) was slower for most cities than in the first 8 months of 2009. Seventy percent of the hotels participating in the survey experienced a decline in occupancy levels, while 90% experienced a decline in room rates. Also, with the exception of Berlin, all cities showed a decline of profitability in August 2009 compared to August 2008.

Over all, July was a better month than August for the entire European hotels market. Hoteliers believe that the worst of the declines have already happened but the recovery will be a slow process.

Central-Eastern Europe Hotel Market

Vienna, Prague and Budapest were hit badly by the decline of RevPAR in August 2009. Out of them, Prague took the hardest hit (almost 25% drop) and it was mostly due to the decline in international tourists numbers. On the other hand, Vienna reported a decline in visitors from UK, Spain, France and Russia but the US tourists numbers increased (and so did those from Germany and Italy). The economy in the above mentioned cities is not the only one affecting the rate of recovery so it is hard to estimate what the future has in store.

Western Europe Hotel Market

In Western Europe, the cities took the hit for other reasons than just the bad economy. RevPAR in Munich dropped with 30.3% in August 2009 compared to last year. This is mostly due to the fact that last year Munich hosted the European Society of Cardiology Congress, but it was moved to Barcelona this year. Plus, Munich is very popular among Middle Eastern guests but the Ramadan fell during the last week of August this year, which also led to a decline in profits.

The future

Fall is the traditional low-season when it comes to traveling in Europe and it will be interesting to see the statistics for the following months. The deals available for the winter holidays are unbelievably cheap which only reinforce the fact that hoteliers are struggling to keep the business going.

Photo by Cristina Dima and cannot be used without permission.

Probably the best months to visit Honolulu are September and October, when the weather is great but the crowds don’t overwhelm the island. The high season kicks off in December, so November is also a good month to head to Hawaii, but the prices start to get higher and you might run into more tourists than you’d want to.

The majority of those who want to travel to Honolulu assume that a vacation here is very expensive but, don’t worry, there are ways to save some money. As mentioned, traveling during the low season is a sure way to find affordable accommodation and cheap flights. Another good trick is to look for accommodation located further from the beach.

Vacation packages

One of the easiest ways to look for an affordable way to get to Honolulu is to look for Hawaii vacation packages . They bundle the flight and accommodation, creating a cheaper package. In many cases, such packages are based on last minute offers and special deals. Since the deals change quite often, it’s a good idea to keep checking them out until you find what’s best for you. During the low season, many resorts and hotels offer a lot of special deals which are often coupled with cheap flights.

Why are vacation packages such good investments? Because you need a way to get to Honolulu and a place to stay. Cheap flights to Honolulu are not hard to find as the airport located on the island of Oahu is the main entry point into the archipelago. It is also the hub for Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines. So for the best airfare, you should start the search with those airlines.

Now it’s time to look for the place to stay. Hotels in Honolulu cater for pretty much all budgets but they are not very cheap. In order to save money, it’s a good idea to look for places located further from the popular beaches. Or spend a lot of time looking for deals from the resorts located closer to the beach.

Things to do

Hawaii International Film Festival takes place between October 15 and 25 at various venues in Honolulu. On October 16, HIFF will host the world premiere of “Barbarian Princess”, a movie based on the true story of Hawaii’s Princess Ka’iulani. Over 170 films from 36 countries will be featured this year. General admission is $10.

The 2009 Food and New Products Show will take place between October 16 and 18 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in Honolulu. There will be more than 50 food booths featuring an array of dishes (from the Pacific region). General admission is $3.

The 2009 Hallobaloo Music and Arts Festival takes place on October 31 on Nuuanu Avenue in Downtown Honolulu. It’s a free street festival complete with a costume contest.

The World Invitational Hula Festival kicks off in early November and lasts until the middle of the month. It is a colorful dancing competition which comprises dancers from various countries.

Where to stay

Although October and November fall during the low season, it’s a good idea to book the accommodation in advance, particularly if you want to travel during the festivals.

Hotel Renew is a luxury boutique hotel, offering an intimate atmosphere. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary chilled beverage. The hotel also offers complimentary breakfast every day and there’s free wi-fi within the hotel. The 72 guest rooms are equipped with LCD TV, AC, fitness kit, fridge and safe. Room rates start at $185 per night (excluding taxes).

Park Shore Waikiki is located right on Waikiki Beach, offering stunning views. It offers 226 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Special packages are available and the prices for a standard room start at $89 per night.

Best Western Coconut Waikiki is a boutique hotel , centrally located in Waikiki. The hotel offers complimentary deluxe daily breakfast and free wi-fi in rooms. All rooms come with LCD TV, fridge, microwave, coffeemaker and safe. Room rates start at $169 per night.

Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk is a new all-suites resort, located close to Waikiki Beach. There’s free wi-fi in all suites. Special packages are available, including a Suite Romance Package, starting at $289.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach is located on Waikiki beach. It offers a fitness center and there’s free wi-fi within the resort. Special packages are available. Moderate standard rates start at $159 per night.

Time is ticking away and if you want to spend an affordable New Year vacation, it’s time to start considering the alternatives offered. Here is a great one. 7 days in Florida for $464 per person (airfare not included)

Other hot deals

Orlando is a great place to spend the New Year with the kids or with friends. It’s also a great place to spend some quality time with your significant other. Orlando vacation packages come in many forms but they typically comprise the flight, accommodation and car rental. Often, hotels would add tickets to the theme parks as part of the deal.

First you need to find a flight to Orlando . While in some cases it’s cheaper to get it bundled with the accommodation, if you search well enough, you might be able to find some very good deals. For example if you buy now a round trip ticket for Dec 28 – Jan 4 the prices start at $329 per person.

Hotels in Orlando are always more expensive during the holidays but with a bit of research, you’ll be able to find some good bargains. For the same period, the average room price in a 2-star hotel is $47 per night (total: $329). This particular hotel does run special offers.

So it’s not hard to realize that you can easily create your own vacation package at good prices but you need to sacrifice a bit when it comes to choosing the hotel (or better said the number of stars).

The alternative

If you don’t mind going to Orlando outside the winter holiday season, you can find even better rates at hotels and flights. It’s a known fact that if you fly mid-week and avoid the peak travel season, there will always be good deals available. You just need to be flexible.

For example, a room at this hotel for the Dec 10-17 period only costs on average $41 per night (total: $287) . The 3-star hotel offers a childrens’ pool and even complimentary shuttles to Walt Disney World Resort.

Hong Kong is a very interesting city and a shocking experience for those not used to so many people cramming into small spaces. Simply put: the word “urban jungle” gets a new definition here. Hong Kong is dense and vertical, the streets are always busy and the mix of Chinese and British influence is challenging all your senses.

For most visitors, Hong Kong is a great place to go shopping but apparently it’s not the cheapest place to do so (and we really don’t recommend getting any electronics from here). The traditional Chinese festivals mix with the Western trends to offer something unique. And indeed Hong Kong is unique in many ways. You can find the Hong Kong Disneyland here, along with several other theme parks. There are also plenty of traditional Chinese places to check out and of course, you shouldn’t miss the view from Victoria Peak.

Accommodation and flight: planning your budget

I wouldn’t call you crazy if you would opt for a family vacation in Hong Kong and, of course, comprise the Disneyland theme park in the fun. It’s definitely a simple way to find good deals. Packages always comprise the flight and accommodation and, with some luck, some sort of entertainment. And they usually come with discounted rates as well.

The city is served by Hong Kong International Airport, the main point of entry for tourists you choose to fly here. Finding cheap flights to Hong Kong is not hard as the airport is connected to numerous destinations from all over the world.

There are some alternatives to lowering the flight costs though. You can transit through Macau, which has lower landing fees than Hong Kong so the flights are usually cheaper. Or if you want to include other parts of China in your itinerary you can fly into Shenzhen and then continue your journey to Hong Kong.

Accommodation wise, the city offers a lot of interesting places to stay, ranging from hostels to posh hotels. Just remember that hotels in Hong Kong come with smaller rooms than what you are used to in other parts of the world. However, especially during the low season (fall and spring) you probably will be able to find an affordable 3 or 4-star hotel (and for prices lower than what you would pay in other major cities).

What to do in October

October is not a fascinating month in Hong Kong and you won’t be able to experience any traditional Chinese festivals. But you won’t get bored either.

Until Oct 15 you can attend the International Jazz Festival which features various artists from all over the world.

Halloween is a newly adopted Holiday in Hong Kong and there’s no better place to experience it than at Disney. On the night of Oct 31, Disney offers a themed night, complete with parades and everything else to make your spine shiver.

Places to stay

Fall is a good time to travel if you are looking for cheap flights and affordable places to stay. October is not exactly a festivals filled month in Hong Kong so you don’t need to worry about finding a place to stay.

Cosmic Guest House : is located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui and offers 79 rooms. Each room has en suite bathroom and TV. There’s free wi-fi within the property. Room rates start at US$19.60 per bed per night in a twin room.

Geo-Home Holiday Hotel : is a cheap tourist property, located in a shopping area (which is filled with tourists). It offers 16 spacious rooms and free wi-fi. All rooms come with LCD TV, phone, AC, fridge and en suite bathroom. Room rates start at US$25 per night per person in a double bed room. Dorm beds start at US$16.30 per night.

HongKong City Guesthouse : is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of the major sights. The rooms are clean but small. Room rates start at US$20 per night per person in a double bed room.

International Inn Hotel : is a new hotel located in the heart of the commercial and shopping district of Kowloon. The rooms include LCD TV and free wi-fi. A city walking tour is also included in the room price. Room rates stat at US$36.16 per night per double room (US$40 per night during the weekend).

New Hong Kong Hostel : offers the facility of a 3-star hotel for hostel prices. It was recently redecorated (Dec 2008). All rooms have high speed internet, LCD TV, AC, en suite bathroom, fridge, DVD player and hair dryer. Discounts are available until Dec 31, 2009 (more than 5 days stay: 10% discount; luxury room: 50% discount sale). Room rates start at US$36.13 per night for a standard double room (US$41.30 per night during the weekend).

Even if you didn’t like geography, you probably know that Helsinki is not exactly a destination for those who don’t enjoy the colder weather. Summer is by far the best season to visit the city, but if you hurry and plan your vacation in October, chances are you won’t be freezing your behind. Just remember that Helsinki is not a cheap city and it’s not very big either. So try to think of “affordable accommodation” in broader terms and include hostels in your research.

Vacation packages versus planning independently

If you are planning the first visit in Helsinki, then it’s better to start your search with the European vacation packages . However, many of them include more than one Scandinavian country so you’ll be in for a broader experience. Still, no matter how you look at it, you need to book both a flight and a place to stay. And packages make it easier for travelers and offer some good discounts.

International flights to Finland are not hard to find and most likely you will land in Helsinki, which is home to the primary international airport in Finland. There are flights from Europe, USA and Asia. However, it’s probably a good idea to fly into a major European hub (London or Paris) and then catch a low-cost flight to Helsinki.

While the flight is not such a hard thing to tackle, the hotels in Helsinki are another story. The city is not exactly very big and there aren’t an overwhelming amount of cheap hotels available. So many travelers usually opt for hostels. Of course, it costs more to stay close to the city center but you’ll be in a convenient location.

Festivals in Helsinki this fall

Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair kicks off on Oct 4 (Sunday). The event lasts until Oct 10. It’s being held in the Market Square. The event dates back to 1743. The festival is a celebration of Scandinavia’s love of the herring but other interesting items which can be bought include: dark bread and clothing (knitted from wool).

The Carnival of Light takes place at the Linnanmäki Amusement Park from Oct 9 to 18. It’s the perfect occasion to make the dark autumn nights bright.

Starting from Oct 22 (Thu) the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre is home to several interesting events. The Wine, Food & Good Living, Helsinki Book Fair and the Helsinki Music Fair take place at the same time at the venue. Entrance is €13 for adults and €9 for children. The focus of the Book Fair is on Sweden, but writers from Italy, Turkey and Germany are also invited.

Where to stay

Whether you come to Helsinki for the festivals or you just need a weekend getaway in a less-than-obvious destination, you will need a place to stay, which is in a good location and the room prices won’t burn a whole in your pocket.

Hostel Stadion : is located in the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, close to all the main sights. The bed linen is included in the price but you need to pay for breakfast (unless you choose to eat somewhere else). There’s a kitchen the guests can use and there are also rooms where the guests can socialize. Bed rates start at €25 per night in a twin private room and €21 per night in a 12-bed dorm.

Eurohostel : is one of the largest hostels in Scandinavia. It’s located in central Helsinki, close to the Market Square. The hotel offers a total of 255 beds (all rooms are non-smoking). The Eurohostel rooms (modernized) are equipped with TV. Each floor has its own facilities: shared bathroom, microwave and fridge. The bed linen, towel and morning sauna are included in the rates. Room rates start at €31 per night for a bed in a twin room (shared bathroom).

Academica Summer Hostel : has been awarded the “Hostel of the Year 2008” by the Finnish Youth Hostel Federation. It is located in the heart of Helsinki. All rooms have private bathroom, small kitchenette and fridge. The guests can use the sauna and swimming pool for free each morning. Bed rates start at €31 per night. Make sure to book in advance as the hostel is very popular and books up really quickly.

Hotel Anna : is a 1-star non-smoking hotel located in the center of Helsinki. There are 64 rooms, a breakfast area as well as a sauna. Rates start at €61 per night per bed in a twin private room (bathroom ensuite) and €38 per bed in a 4-bed room (bathroom ensuite).

Hostel Satakuntatalo : is located in the heart of the city. Should you visit Helsinki during summer, the best beach in town is located just 10 minutes away from the hostel. All rooms are equipped with fridge and phone.

Earlier this month we talked about the hotel room prices dropping by 20% all over the world and now it’s time to detail the information for a well known European vacation spot.

With its popular cafes, Red Light District, beautiful architecture and no language barrier, Amsterdam has always ranked high among tourists’ choice. But is that enough to keep the occupancy rates and room rates up?

According to this article published by Hospitality.net , the entire Dutch hotel market is suffering from the crisis. All over the Netherlands, the five star hotels took the hardest hit. Occupancy rates dropped from 74.8% in 2007 to 68% last year, while average room rate increased a bit from €178 in 2007 to €180 in 2008. The three and four hotels saw a decline in occupancy rates only since 2008.

In Amsterdam, where the hotel market is mostly dependent on international travelers (and companies) the occupancy rate dropped to 74.9% in 2008 (from 81.4% a year before) while the average room rate decreased to €140 (from €236).

As a direct result of the price drop, the revenues are also falling. The gross operating profit of 3, 4 and 5 hotels in 2008 was 34.9% of total revenues, dropping from 35.9% in 2007.

Over all, in the Netherlands, the average occupancy rate dropped from 72.5% in 2007 to 68.1% in 2008, the strongest drop since 2003. The average room rate dropped from €110 to €105. The study was carried out by Horwath HTL among 288 hotels (3, 4 and 5 star).

The cause of the decline

The cause of the decline can be found in the economic crisis. Company spending all over the world is watched closely and many companies don’t allow their employees to stay in five star hotels anymore.

The future for the hotel market

Hotel managers expect things to start getting better in 2010. As many of 61% of hotel managers expect the hotel market to show signs of recovery in 2010, while a quarter of them are pessimists and expect the market to get better in 2011. But a recover in the room price is not expected until 2011 or even 2012.

As for 2009, it’s expected that the average occupancy rates will continue to fall and the room rates will follow suite. Although signs of recovery are expected in 2010, many hotel managers still predict a decrease in room rates next year.

Hawaii is an incredible vacation destination year round but when the weather starts to turn sour in the Northern Hemisphere, the tiny islands in the Pacific seem even more appealing. You are willing to over look the rather high hotel prices and just want to pack your bags and go.

Hawaii vacation packages

In such a touristy place where the prices are high year-round, choosing a Hawaii vacation package is a good decision. Even if you are the do-it-yourself kind of traveler, you need to realize that: you need a way to get to Hawaii and a place to stay in Hawaii. Searching for them separately costs time and money, while if you book them you’ll always get some discounts. Many packages also comprise the rental car, which is a great choice if you plan to explore the surrounding sights.

Just think about it; although you can find flights to Hawaii which are somewhat affordable, when you add the cost of airfare to the cost of accommodation, things start to get quite expensive. Honolulu International Airport is the main gateway into the Hawaiian islands. Unfortunately, airlines cut back on flights to Hawaii which only adds to the painful experience of finding the right airfare for your needs.

Hotels in Hawaii are notoriously expensive and the only way to find something affordable – both during the high season and low season – is to look for a travel deal.

October Events in Hawaii

One thing is for certain; if you plan to visit Hawaii in October, you will surely have a lot of fun. The Aloha Festivals 2009 continues through the month, celebrating the Hawaiian culture and traditions. The idea for such a festival started in 1946, but the first festival was held in 1947. Nowadays, the festivals comprise the many cultures of Hawaii and nearly 30,000 volunteers participate in staging different events.

The month starts with the Maui County Fair. A lot of events involving the spectators are planned (just make sure to apply on time if you want to participate). The schedule and more details are available on the official website .

Halloween events take place on all major islands; on Oahu, visitors can check out the Hawaii’s Haunted Plantation in Waipahu or watch the Halloween street festival in Downtown Honolulu. On Maui, the events include the Lahaina’s famous Halloween block party and , of course, visiting a haunted house. On the Big Island, there’s a Halloween street festival in Kailua-Kona and a lot of story telling sessions at different venues.

Places to stay

If you plan to visit the islands during the festivals, it’s important to book the accommodation in advance. It’s a good idea to decide first on what island you plan to spend most of the time, so that you can make the plans accordingly.

Maui: Outrigger Aina Nalu Resort : is located in the heart of Lahaina town, close to Front Street. The 1 or 2-bedroom suites include a microwave and refrigerator. There’s wi-fi available throughout the property (including at the swimming pool). The minimum length of stay is 2 nights. Rates start at $145 per night for a garden view room.

Maui: Hana Kai Maui Resort : comprises studios, 1 and 2-bedroom suites, all equipped with kitchens. There’s wi-fi within the property. Rates vary between $185 and $450 per night depending on the room type.

Island of Hawaii: Holua Resort at The Mauna Loa Village offers incredible views of the Keauhou Bay, 8 swimming pools, 11 tennis courts and a fitness facility. There’s free wi-fi within the resort. Special packages are available. Room rates start at $127.20 per night (discounted rate) for a One Bedroom Gardenview Villa.

Island of Hawaii: Keauhou Kona Surf And Racquet Club Resort offers 2-bedrooom units. There are tennis courts and pools within the resort. The rates start at $120 per night.

Honolulu: Park Shore Waikiki is located on Waikiki Beach, overlooking Diamond Head and Kapiolani Park. The hotel offers 226 rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Special packages are available. The prices for a standard room start at $89 per night.

Once August is over, a wide range of affordable beach vacations start to be available. While it’s not sure that the weather will be warm enough in October in Mallorca to spend too much time on the beach, it’s definitely nice enough to explore the island and that’s good enough reason to look up the special deals. Round trip flight from Dublin, 3 nights with self catering for €206 (departure on October 1)

Before you start packing you might want to read a bit more about Mallorca. I’ve always been a fan of the Balearic Islands as offer nice weather when the rest of Europe starts to put more clothes on or hides from the rain. But you don’t need to believe me. This article from Guardian talks about the hot destinations in autumn on the Mediterranean coast and Mallorca ranks high among them.

Other offers

You don’t like to cater for yourself on vacation? No problem, that’s why all inclusive vacation packages are created. They typically comprise the round-trip flight, accommodation and all other expenses related to staying within the resort (food, beverage, etc). If you like to spend time within the resort this is the best choice and you won’t need to carry too much money with you.

If, on the other hand, you like to explore the island or even check out the other Balearic Islands, you should look into booking the flight and accommodation separately. Cheap flights to Mallorca are easy to find until end-of-October as the airport serving the island receives a lot of low-cost flights from major European cities. So, ideally, you should fly into a large European hub, such as London, and then take a low-cost flight to Mallorca.

The majority of lodging options in Mallorca are bundled with the vacation packages but with a bit of research you can find some nice 3-star hotels in Mallorca which are affordable and in a good location.

The alternative

Mallorca is not your cup of tea? No problem, there’s always Ibiza to check out. You can find 3-star hotels at prices starting from €119 for 4 nights (2 persons) . The hotel is ideally located near the beach, restaurants and bars. Or you can enjoy the hotel’s pool and sundeck area. What are you waiting for?

Located on Elbe River, Hamburg is a major port city in Germany. The second largest German city is actually a city state with a very international feel. With a very strong mercantile background, Hamburg is very proud to continue the tradition and rank as the second harbor in Europe.

The city center, around Mönckebergstraße, is mostly a shopping area, which leads to the Town Hall. Old buildings and churches dot the area, giving a very old feel to the city. The old harbor area, with the wooden merchant houses, is another interesting sight to check out.

Planning your budget

Many times you’ll find Hamburg to be featured in European vacation packages and even interesting cruises along Europe’s major rivers. If you don’t mind sticking to an imposed schedule, then it’s probably a good idea to opt for such a package for your first visit here. The packages typically comprise the hotel and the flight which does save you some time and money while searching and booking. Some packages also include tours.

However, you might want to create your own package by booking the hotel and flight separately. Hamburg airport is located about 8 km from the city center and is one of the major airports in Germany. Finding cheap flights to Hamburg is not hard but you need to be aware that the airport is closed during the night and if your flight is delayed you’ll end up on another German airport. The city is served by three more airports, all small and not used for international flights.

Hamburg is a large city and you need to decide where you want to stay and plan your transport accordingly. The closer to the city center, the more expensive the hotels will be but the harbor area is a great choice and there are affordable hotels to choose from. Cheap hotels in Hamburg can be found easily outside the city center area but you shouldn’t be surprised to find affordable places to stay in the historical area.

What to do in Hamburg

October debuts with the Day of German Unity, celebrated on the 3rd. It commemorates the reunion of the East and West Germany. Festivals and shows mark the event.

As the month ends, the International Boat Show Hamburg begins, featuring boats from many countries. If you enjoy checking out the luxury yachts don’t miss the Hanseboot-Hafen area.

The end of November marks the start of the Christmas Markets. They are held in numerous locations but the most popular ones are Hanseatic Christmas Market and the Christmas Market Hamburg.

Places to stay

No matter if you visit the city for its architecture, shopping or events, it’s important to find a place to stay which offers the best value for money; and ideally it should be located quite close to the city center area.

A&O Hamburg Hauptbahnhof : is located near the main station and close to the historic area of Hamburg. Internet is available both in the lobby and rooms. There’s a lounge area featuring billiard table, table football and video games. The buffet breakfast is served daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the weekends). It features both hotel and hostel rooms. A bed in a twin double room (bathroom ensuite) starts from €50 per night, while a bed in a 6-bed mixed dorm starts at €23 per night.

Hotel Budapester Hof : is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the harbor and the Town Hall. All rooms have shower and WC, cable TV and phone. Buffet breakfast is served each morning. Room rates start at €26 per night for a bed in a twin private room and from €21 per night for a bed in a 6-bed dorm (bathroom ensuite).

Apartment-Hotel Hamburg Hamm : is a 3-star superior bed & breakfast hotel located close to the city center. It comprises 119 rooms. There’s free wi-fi in the lobby and in some of the rooms. Breakfast is not included in the price and the utensils for the kitchenette are available for extra charge. Room rates start at €38 per night per bed in a twin room.

Luebecker Hof : is located in the city center, close to the main railway station. Most rooms have TV and showers, but the toilets are located on the hall. Breakfast is not included in the room price. Room rates start at €26 per night per person in a double room (shared bathroom).

Hotel Beefang : is located opposite the main station. It offers free wi-fi within the hotel and the buffet breakfast is included in the room price. Room rates start at €31 per night in a 3-bed private ensuite room.

Gulf Shores is a city in Alabama, dotted with beautiful beaches and affordable hotels. It’s not as crowded as Florida which makes it an incredible escape for couples as well as a nice getaway for families.

Aside from soaking up the sun, you can also visit Fort Morgan (entrance: $3 adults, $1 children) and the Alabama Golf Coast Zoo (entrance: $8.80 adults; $6 children). If you want to learn more about the area, check out the Gulf Shores Museum (entrance: free).

The families with kids will definitely enjoy Adventure Island, an adventure park filled with fun activities. Waterville USA is an interesting choice for those want to splash around and try the waterslides.

Vacation packages

If you plan to take the kids to Gulf Shores, looking for a family vacation package is a great idea. These packages typically comprise the flight, accommodation and sometimes entrance to the adventure parks.

Another option is to book the flight and accommodation separately. The closest airports to Gulf Shores are Mobile Regional Airport and Pensacola Regional Airport. However, it’s very hard to find cheap tickets into either airport, so your best bet is to fly into New Orleans. You need to drive about 3 hours to get to the Gulf Shores but it’s very easy to find cheap flights to New Orleans .

Hotels in Gulf Shores are less expensive than in other popular beach destinations. Since the city is not well known among tourists, you are guaranteed a quieter beach experience and affordable accommodation. Look for places to stay right by the beach although if you rented a car you can find accommodation pretty much anywhere in the area.

Events and festivals in Gulf Shores

There aren’t many festivals and events during this time of the year in Gulf Shores but if you like sea food, make sure not to miss the 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival which takes place in Gulf Shores from October 8 (Thu) to October 11 (Sun). Besides checking out what the 300 vendors offer you can also enjoy the entertainment, the retail market place and of course, the food.

Where to stay

It’s a good idea to look for hotels located near the beach even if you have rented a car to check out the surrounding areas. If you want to focus on the adventure parks rather than on the beach, then you can look for accommodation pretty much anywhere in the area.

Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores : is located close to the beach and golf courses. There are 88 rooms available for the guests, all equipped with kitchen. Breakfast is free and there’s free wi-fi in the entire hotel. Rates start at $90 per night (2 persons).

Phoenix All Suites Hotel : is located in the middle of the town. All rooms are equipped with kitchen. There’s an outdoor pool available for the guests, as well as a laundry room. Fall rates (Oct 11 to Oct 31) start at $159 per night (sleeps 6).

The Beach Club : is located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula and comprises luxury vacation rentals and condos. All condos have VCR, DVD player, TV, whirlpool tub and patio. Special packages are available (gold, fishing, etc). Daily rates start at $191 (sleeps 6), $210 (sleeps 8) and $325 (sleeps 10).

Gulf Shores Plantation : is located directly on the beach, close to Fort Morgan. The guests can use an indoor pool, six outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts. There’s also free wi-fi in the resort. There’s a minimum of 3 nights start. Rates start at $288 per three nights in a condo that sleeps 4 and $660 per three nights (plus tax) in a duplex which can sleep 12.

Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms : is located just 3.5 miles from the beaches and close to a shopping center. All rooms are equipped with AC, coffee maker, TV, fridge and hot tub. Room rates start at $99 per night (2 persons).