According to an MSNBC travel columnist, the coming year will hold some amazing travel deals.  Some of his predictions are:

- Everyone will discount

- Say buh-bye to blackout dates - "off season" pricing could last all year

- Look for amazing cruise deals early in the year

Check out the article to view MSNBC's top 10 places to find travel bargains in 2010. 

If you're looking for an amazing hotel deal, you won't find a better one than at Value Place.  At Value Place, we don't need to discount because our weekly price is always right.  Plus, our rooms are crazy clean and security is a top priority.  Visit ValuePlace.com to take a video tour and make a reservation. 

Have you found an amazing travel deal lately?  Please leave a comment and share it with us!

Are you among the nearly 40 million Americans who will be traveling for the holidays this year?  A lot of planning goes into those holiday escapades, we know!  But, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, it's common to let a very important thing slip from the forefront of our minds -- safety.

I don't mean to be a Grinch, but push those visions of sugarplums dancing to the side for just one moment, please, and give some thought to the following list of things NOT to do when traveling for the holidays. 

5 Things Not to Do When Traveling for the Holidays

Tips provided by Value Place's Bob Creech, Sr. Vice President of Safety and Security

1.   Don't Wing It 

It sounds like a great idea to whisk your loved one off for a secret holiday vacation or whimsically hop in the car and drive several hours to visit grandma, right?  Spontaneity can be a good thing, but not when it comes to travel plans.  While you don't need to broadcast your plans to the world or have every detail plotted out, you should at least do the following before hitting the road:

Tell at least one person:  Whether you're flying or driving, share your travel itinerary with someone in case there is an emergency.  Be sure your friend has your contact information, knows the route you're taking, and has the name, address and phone number of the place where you'll be staying.  

Know your destination:  Have maps, phone numbers and addresses handy, and pre-program them into your cell phone or GPS.  Don't wait until you're on the road to ask for directions.

Pack a safety kit:  If you don't already have one in your car, put one together before you leave.  Click here for a list of items to include in your kit, and don't forget to pack your cell phone charger!  It's also a good idea to bring a list of the phone numbers of your credit card companies, insurance representatives and bank, as well as your vehicle's license plate and VIN numbers.  If your wallet or car goes MIA, you'll need this information.

2.   Don't Be Too Nice

It is the season of good cheer, but certain acts of kindness can get you into trouble.  For instance, if someone in a parking lot asks you for change for a $5, politely say you don't have it and keep walking!  Never pull out your wallet or open your purse in a situation like this, or it could quickly be snatched.  Same goes for your cell phone.  It's never wise to let someone "borrow" your phone regardless of the "emergency" they are having.  Offer to place a call for them.

3.   Don't Let Your Guard Down

Staying healthy and safe while traveling can be as simple as trusting your senses.  We are much more perceptive than what we give ourselves credit for.  If a situation doesn't seem quite right, it probably isn't.  Get out of it by walking, running or driving away.  A few other things to keep in mind are:

Never open your hotel door for a stranger, even if the person claims to be hotel staff.  Call the front desk first and ask if they sent someone to your room.

Never leave valuable items in plain sight inside your vehicle.  Even an empty box or bag can be tempting for a thief. 

Don't touch your face or food before washing your hands.  When you travel during the winter, you are much more likely to come into contact with flu or other viruses that can ruin your festivities.  Keep a mini bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you, and use it often.

4.   Don't Leave Obvious Signs that You're Gone

Tell a friend or neighbor that you're leaving town.  Ask if they'll pick up your mail and newspapers, or have the delivery held until you return.  Don't leave them pile up!  This is one of the first things thieves look for, especially in rural areas.  It's also a good idea to plug a lamp into a timer so it switches on in the evenings.  This gives the appearance that you're home.  Also, if you have a Facebook, Twitter or other social media account, do not post messages that let people know that you're out of town. 

 5.  Don't Select a Hotel Based on Price Alone

Value Place is a low price leader in the lodging industry, and knows that affordable rooms are very important to our guests.  But safety is even more important.  We go to great measures to surpass industry standards in security and cleanliness.  We recommend you do your research before making a reservation at any hotel to see how it measures up in these safety areas:

Location:  Is the property in a safe area of town.  Check it out yourself online on Google Maps.

Lighting:  Is the parking lot well lit?  Are the common areas inside the hotel well lit? Are there security cameras?  All of these things significantly enhance the safety of a property and deter theft.

Room Entry:  Only stay in hotels that have interior room entry, meaning the doors of the rooms open to a hallway inside the building.  Rooms with exterior entries are prime targets for thieves.   

A little travel safety prep work can make all the difference between having a holly jolly Christmas and feeling like you got a lump of coal in your stocking.

Looking for more travel safety information? Check out the Value Place Blog entries on:

Hotel safety tips and ways to keep your vehicle and valuables safe.

Top reasons for staying at Value Place when traveling for the holidays

Best wishes for a joyous and safe holiday season from all of us at Value Place! 

Do you do a lot of traveling?  Do you have a favorite vacation destination, but the cost of lodging makes it nearly impossible to visit as often as you'd like?  Does your work take you away from home for weeks or even months at a time?

Value Place would be a great place for you!  We invite you to check us out.  Guests who have stayed with us often ask when we're going to build a property in the cities to which they frequently travel or would like to visit. 

For example, a guest named Johnny just left a comment on this blog that said he wished there were a Value Place in Chicago.  Others have expressed interest in having a Value Place in Omaha, NE/Council Bluffs, IA (now open); Chesapeake, VA(now open); and Milwaukee, WI (currently looking for a franchisee in this area). 

If you could stay in a new Value Place property in any U.S. city, where would it be and why?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Value Place guests are not shy about sharing their feedback about their stay.  We receive oodles of comments everyday through this blog and on ValuePlace.com.  Some recent ones include:

"My wife, 2 children & I were recently relocated from FL to Asheville, NC.  However, we had a little over a month before our house was ready so we stayed at the Value Place & are so happy that we did!! Not only was the hotel very clean & accommodating, but the staff made us feel like we were part of the "family". And whenever we needed anything from towels to directions, Tallmadge was right there to get what we needed or direct us where to go!! This has been our most pleasant experience at a hotel!!  Thanks to the Asheville Value Place staff --  U ROCK!!!!!   -  Greg and Melodie I., Miami FL

"The fact you don't accept pets is a big NO NO!  I will be moving to the Tallahassee area soon and was thinking of staying at Value Place for at least a month during my transition. You just lost a customer because of your pet policy."  - Debbie L.

Hundreds of pleased guests just like Greg and Melodie are currently staying with us while they are waiting on the completion of their new homes.  We are happy to provide a home away from home for them.  Others, like Debbie, are not pleased with our no pet policy; however, that policy is in place for the protection and wellbeing of our guests and property.

What do you have to say about Value Place?  Please leave a comment and share your feedback.

Traveling for Thanksgiving?  Say No to the Couch & Stay at a Value Place!

"Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!"  You know that old folk song, right?  It always comes to mind when I think about Thanksgiving, as well as pumpkin pie, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, turkey and football. 

But, I also think about something else (and am starting to dread it already).  We have a really big family, and we typically all try to stay together in the same house for Thanksgiving.  But, every year there is a squabble over who gets to sleep in the beds and who has to sleep on the couches and air mattresses - ugh!  Can you relate?

This year, my family will be gathering in Des Moines, IA, and several of us have decided to say NO to the couch and stay at a Value Place!  We know we'll enjoy Thanksgiving and each other's company even more this year (our aching backs will thank us, and it's easy on the wallet, too!). 

Are you thinking about staying in a hotel vs. sleeping on Grandma's couch this year?  Here are five reasons to make your reservation at a Value Place today:

Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Value Place this Thanksgiving:

5.  Relatives' smoking has you choking:  Don't expose yourself and kids to harmful second hand smoke.  Sleep in a smoke-free environment.

4.  Cook in an un-crowded kitchen, and have extra fridge space for leftovers:  There's no need to fight over cooking space while preparing your feast.  Every Value Place room is equipped with a kitchen that features a stove, microwave and full-size refrigerator.  Just think... you can make the mashed potatoes in the morning in your room and bring them to your gathering.  Then, bring all the other leftovers that won't fit in grandma's fridge back to your room.

3.  Control the remote:  Don't care to watch football all day long?  Escape to your room for some channel surfing and a nap. 

2.  Have your own bathroom and shower:  No more waiting in line or running out of hot water!

1.  Sleep in a bed:  Enough said!

To find a Value Place near your Thanksgiving travel destination and to make a reservation, visit ValuePlace.com or call 800-ValuePlace.

Thousands of people stay in Value Places across the country every night.  Some stay with us for business, some for vacation and others because they are in the middle of a move and need a temporary place to stay before settling into their new home or community. 

We are privileged to have the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of so many interesting people. 

We'd like to hear your story, too.  If you've ever stayed at a Value Place, leave a comment and tell us why you stayed with us and the city where you stayed.  

Fancy robes, whirlpool tubs, a state-of-the art fitness center and pool... why pay for things you don't use!?  At Value Place, you only pay for what you want.

As recently reported in Lodging Hospitality and DailyFranchiseNews.com, our budget lodging concept has turned traditional hotel thinking upside down and focuses on nuts and bolts instead of bells and whistles.

This nuts and bolts philosophy combined with our stringent safety and cleanliness standards has enabled Value Place to thrive, while the rest of the hotel industry is struggling through one of its deepest downturns. 

At Value Place occupancy is up, tipping 80 percent, and development has continued despite the financial-market meltdown.  In fact, we just opened our 160 property in Midland, TX, last week.  Our open property count should reach 170 by year's end.

Click here to read the full feature in Lodging Hospitality.  For more information on Value Place, visit ValuePlace.com.

Have you ever stayed at a Value Place?  Please leave a comment and let us know what you think about our "nuts and bolts" approach to lodging. 

Are you staying or have you stayed at one or more of our extended stay properties? 

We'd like to hear which location was your favorite and why.  Please leave a comment and let us know. 

Great news for all of you out there who feel you could use a little more sleep.  You get an extra hour this weekend thanks to the ending of Daylight Saving Time. 

Standard time returns at 2 a.m. this Sunday, so remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.  However, if you live or are traveling in Arizona or Hawaii, you may leave your clocks alone - these two states do not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Daylight Saving Time returns March 13.

Do you know the history behind Daylight Saving Time?  Visit standardtime.com to find out.

Looking for a great night sleep while traveling?  Visit ValuePlace.com and make your reservation today.

Congratulations to Tammie C., the winner of the Value Place "Costume to DIY For" Contest.

Tammie created the incredible upside down cheerleader costume for her daughter - check out the picture of it below:

We are pleased to provide Tammie with a $50 Visa gift card for her money-saving, do-it-yourself creativity.  Interested in replicating the costume for your kids for next Halloween?  Here's how Tammie made it:

"I made a stuffed head and attached it to a sweatshirt and then put the pom poms at the ends of the sleeves with my daughter's shoes attached to the bottom.  I took an old pair of pants and cut out the front and attached a piece of black panty hose to the front so that she could see where she was going.  I attached a pair of stuffed sneakers to large wooden dowels that she could hold onto and attached them to the sweatshirt.  Her hands control the feet and her feet control the hands.  It is hilarious."

Congrats to all of you out there who saved money this Halloween by making your own costumes, and a special thank you to everyone who entered our "Costume to DIY For" contest.

Visit the Value Place blog often for more money-saving ideas and to stay up to date on all Value Place news. 

Best witches for a happy and safe Halloween!

For more information on Value Place or to make a reservation, please visit ValuePlace.com. 

We will announce our contest winner later today, so stayed tuned.  If you haven't checked out the costume entries, click here to view the photos.  They are simply spooktacular!

Halloween is Just 2 Days Away!  Have you finalized your costume and Entered the Value Place "Costume to DIY for" Contest (get it... DIY = do it yourself)?

If you haven't yet entered, there is still time, but once the clock strikes midnight tonight, October 29, your chance to enter and win $50 are gone. 

We've received several entries and have posted pictures of some very clever do-it-yourself costumes -- click here to check them out.  Be sure to leave a comment to let us know which one is your favorite!

How to Enter:

1.  Create your costume(s) - kid costumes, adult costumes or pet costumes. 

2.  Email costume photos to VPFS_News@ValuePlace.com  by midnight, October 29, 2009 along with a short description of the costume and how you made it.

3.  When emailing your photo(s), please include your full name, phone number and city/state/zip so that we can contact you if you win.  Your personal information will not be published. 

We are posting the photos on blog.valueplace.com, so be sure to view the pics and comment on your favorites.

Happy costume making, and best "witches" for a great Halloween!

Looking for Costume Inspiration?

Check out the following links:

Family Fun Magazine's Kid Costume Ideas

The Today Show's D-I-Y Costume Ideas

Holidash.com's D-I-Y Costumes

Planning a Halloween Party?

Check out these links for games, favors, food and more:

Kaboose.com's Halloween Games List

Family Fun's Party Planning Ideas

Food Network's "Eat, Drink & Be Scary" Menu

For more information on Value Place or to make a reservation at an extended stay property, visit ValuePlace.com.

Value Place now has 160 open properties across the U.S., and several more will be opening soon. 

Are you staying or have you stayed at one or more of our extended stay properties? 

We'd like to hear which location was your favorite and why.  Please leave a comment and let us know. 

We'd also like to know if you've entered the Value Place "Costume to D-I-Y For" contest for your chance to win cash.  Contest ends midnight, Thursday, October 29, so check out the contest-related blog posts for details on how to enter.

Only 1 Week Until Halloween!  The clock is ticking for you to finalize your "spooktacular" costume and Enter the Value Place "Costume to D-I-Y for" Contest (get it... D-I-Y = do it yourself) for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!  

We've received a few pictures of some funny and creative costumes -- click here to check them out.  Be sure to leave a comment to let us know which one is your favorite!

If you enter the contest your odds of winning are very good, but don't wait!  All photos must be submitted by midnight October 29. 

How to Enter:

1.  Create your costume(s) - kid costumes, adult costumes or pet costumes. 

 

2.  Email costume photos to VPFS_News@ValuePlace.com  by midnight, October 29, 2009 along with a short description of the costume and how you made it.

 

3.  When emailing your photo(s), please include your full name, phone number and city/state/zip so that we can contact you if you win.  Your personal information will not be published. 

We will post the photos on blog.valueplace.com, so check in often to view the pics and comment on your favorites.

Looking for Costume Inspiration?

Check out the following links:

Family Fun Magazine's Kid Costume Ideas

The Today Show's D-I-Y Costume Ideas

Holidash.com's D-I-Y Costumes

Planning a Halloween Party?

Check out these links for games, favors, food and more:

Kaboose.com's Halloween Games List

Family Fun's Party Planning Ideas

Food Network's "Eat, Drink & Be Scary" Menu

Value Place is pleased to announce that we just opened our first Virginia location in Chesapeake, which is just south of Norfolk.  Two other Value Place properties in Virginia are currently under construction and will open in the coming months.  These properties are in the Richmond area and in Gainesville (Washington D.C. area).   

Looking to Take a Fall Vacation?

Chesapeake is a great place to celebrate the change of seasons!  Chesapeake is just 20 minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 15 minutes from downtown Norfolk, and 45 minutes from historic Colonial Williamsburg or the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Visit http://www.visitchesapeake.com to learn more about Chesapeake and the dozens of fun things to do while there.

Need clean, secure, affordable accommodations?  Rates in Chesapeake start at just $219 for a week!  Visit ValuePlace.com or call 800-ValuePlace to make a reservation.

Leave a Comment:

Have you ever visited Chesapeake or the surrounding area?  What fun things did you do while you were in the area?  Leave a comment and share.