Value Place Basecamp

Why Did You Stay at Value Place?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:57:04 -0600

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.

Cleaner, Safer, Simpler... and Successful!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:08 -0600

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.

What is Your Favorite Value Place Location?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:13:45 -0600

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.

Attention Guests: Don't Forget to Fall Back this Saturday Night

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:41:44 -0600

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.

Meet our Costume to DIY For Winner!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:33:12 -0600

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.

"Costume to DIY For" Winner to Be Announced Today

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:35:07 -0600

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 the Value Place "Costume to DIY For" contest.

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!

Last Day to Enter the "Costume to D-I-Y For Contest"

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:08:54 -0600

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.

What is Your Favorite Value Place Location?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:17:28 -0600

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.

Last Week to Enter the Costume to D-I-Y For Contest & Win Cash!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:27:59 -0600

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.

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.

Now Open in Chesapeake, VA!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:46:28 -0600

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.

WIN CASH! Enter Value Place's Costume to D-I-Y For Contest

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:21:45 -0600

Our families are gearing up for a "spooktacular" Halloween, but the price of everything is driving us "batty!" Can you relate?

I don't know about you, but my family is looking for ways to trim our Halloween expenses this year without cutting back on the fun. One thing we're looking at doing is creating

no-cost-umes (in other words, we're going to ditch the expensive store-bought costumes and have fun making our own). Half the price and twice the fun!

In this "vein," we encourage you to do the same 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!

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 over the course of the contest, so check back often 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

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

Opening Soon - 3rd Columbus, OH, Location

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:34:47 -0600

As reported in the Orlando Business Journal, Value Place will soon open its third extended stay property in the Columbus, OH, area at the intersection of I-71 and Dublin-Granville.

The hotel is being built by Value Place's largest franchisee, Orlando-based Liberty Investment Properties Inc. This is Liberty's 24^th Value Place property.

The extended stay property is scheduled to open just before Thanksgiving. For more information on Value Place or to make a reservation, visit ValuePlace.com.

P.S.

Have You Entered the Value Place Costume to D-I-Y For Contest? Check it out today for a chance to win cash!

Win Cash! Enter Value Place's "Costume to D-I-Y For" Contest

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:35:32 -0600

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!

Here are the photo entries we've received so far. Leave a comment and let us know which one is your favorite! Scroll down past the pictures for details on how you can enter and win. Hurry... contest ends Oct. 29, and the winning will be announced on Oct. 30.

Scary Spooky Tree - Submitted by Mayank

How he did it:

"The black trunk of a Fall tree is made of a black dress. It is crowned with the dry leaves. It's indicating the festive spirit leading from fall towards Halloween, with the dash of scary touch of porky teeth. Happy Halloween!

Unagi Demon of the Orient - Submitted by Chris

How he did it:

"This is Unagi, the Demon from the Orient. I constructed this with pvc, cardboard, Bondo, paint and fabric. It took quite a long time to make."

Garden Gnome - Submitted by Carmen

How she did it:

"To create my costume, I took inspiration from a small garden gnome figurine that sits on my desk at work. I rummaged through my closet and found a t-shirt with embroidered flowers on it and some fuzzy Ugg-style boots, which I then painted flowers and leaf tendrils onto the sides of them. Next, I sewed together a simple skirt with an elastic waist, cut out a makeshift belt from a piece of material I already had that looks like leather (onto which I painted the phrase, "You don't gnome me"), and finally sewed together my gnome hat from red felt. This took a bit of practice and a couple of tries, since I had to make the pattern from scratch, but eventually I achieved a form that fit and stays on my head. I had a blast creating this comfortable, colorful Halloween costume and am looking forward to wearing it and hopefully inspiring others to get creative with their Halloween costumes and have fun with the holiday!"

Walking Apple Tree - Submitted by Tammy C.

How she did it:

"I took a costume that I made for my husband and cut it down to fit my son. I took a racing helmet and paper that matched it and used real apple tree branches and made them a part of it. I then took the helmet portion and attached it to the top of the headless women costume that I made and used it to make should pads by paper matching over that. Once I had it the way I wanted it with all the branches I wanted, I took burlap bags and sewed them together and attached them to the head and shoulder portion of the costume and painted it dark brown. I then took clear fishing line and attached bright red apples that are made for your Christmas tree and attached them to the tree limbs. The costume is awesome but not very practical."

Upside Down Cheerleader - Submitted by Tammy C.

How she did it:

Grim Reaper - Submitted by Tammy C.

How she did it:

"I took a costume that I previously made of a headless women and made a harness that would fit my son and attached it to the previous costume. I then put the Grim Reaper cape over the top, attached a platter to the costume with some lettuce around the edge, cut a hole for my sons head to fit on the platter and put blood on his upper lip coming from his nose and there you have it."

German Peasant Dancing - Submitted by Ruth.

How she did it:

"I wore a scarf, pantaloons and black nylons. I also wore old dark socks and rolled them down and dark shoes. Topped off with a skirt and blouse."

A Couple of Babies - Submitted by Jean

How they did it:

"We dressed as babies with real baby bonnets, diapers made from pillowcases, old white t-shirts and baby bibs. We wore tights or long underwear to cover our legs."

New York Police Boy - Submitted by Mike

How he did it:

"We dressed my son in a NYPD T-shirt his grandparents got for him during a trip to New York. We paired it with his camo pants and topped it off with a helmet, glasses and handcuffs that we found at the Dollar Store. We spent less than $5, and my son loved it!"

Super Kid Capes - Submitted by Cathryn

How she did it:

"I made both of my kids Super capes this year. I sewed together velour and cotton to make the basic cape, and then I fused the material to make the letters and decals. Finally, I ironed on the letters and decals and used different types of stitching around each one. I am pairing the grey cape with black sweats and a red shirt and the pink cape with pink leggings and a onesie. The cost of both capes came out to be around $7.00."

* * * *

Here's 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 over the course of the contest, so check back often to view the pics and comment on your favorites.

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

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

1st California Location Now Open in Sacramento!

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:44:22 -0600

Value Place is excited to announce the opening of our first California property at 7789 La Mancha Way, in Sacramento. The property is located at Highway 99 and Mack Road in Sacramento.

Value Place franchisee and developer for this project is Pegasus Group of Walnut Creek, California. Pegasus Group has substantial experience in the real estate business over the past 27 years. Pegasus Group operates self storage properties, marinas, mobile home parks, and industrial and office buildings throughout the United States.

"Consumers are always looking for the best deal but don't want to sacrifice quality for a lower price point. Value Place is able to offer just that: a clean, comfortable, safe room at an extremely affordable price," said Tim Davis, Managing General Partner. "We will be the first location in the market, and we believe Value Place is a much-needed concept that Sacramento consumers will embrace right away."

Visit ValuePlace.com for more information and to make a reservation. Reservations may also be made by calling 800-ValuePlace.

Looking for vacation ideas? Sacramento would be a great place to visit! Check out the following sites for ideas on fun, affordable things to do in the area:

The Sacramento Visitor's Bureau's List of Things to Do

50 Things You Must Do in Sacramento

List of Free Things to Do - by Free-Attractions.com

Have you been to Sacramento before? What things would you recommend that a visitor see and do? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

Value Place - Albuquerque Partners with New Mexico Veterans' Integration Center

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:06:55 -0600

Value Place is pleased to announce a new partnership with the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services to provide transitional lodging for veterans and their families.

The Albuquerque Value Place is now setting aside 55 of its 121 rooms for veterans who participate in programs offered by the New Mexico Veterans' Integration Center. This unique private company and Veterans' Administration partnership is the first of its kind in the nation.

"This will mean a significant upgrade for the veterans and their families," said John Garcia, Secretary of New Mexico Veterans' Affairs. "The Integration Center will continue its mission to serve these families, but in a bigger and more modern facility."

The New Mexico Veterans' Integration Center offers a variety of services to its participants, including healthcare screening, counseling and job training. All programs are designed to help participants fully assimilate to civilian life. It is the only such veterans' facility in the country.

A Value Place - Veterans' Integration Center partnership kick-off event was recently held at the Albuquerque Value Place. Among those attending the event were Secretary Garcia; Senator Tim Keller (D-NM); Representative Martin Heinrich (D-NM); and NM Senator Tom Udall (D-NM).

David Johnston, COO for one of Value Place's largest franchise groups, Quanah Hospitality Partners, and George Houser, Value Place Property Manager, also attended the event. Johnston and Houser were both instrumental in initiating and solidifying the partnership, and were recognized for their efforts to do so.

"We are extremely honored to have this opportunity to help these veterans in their time of need," said Johnston, a veteran himself who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. "It's the least we can do for the men and women who've served our country. It's our way of now serving them," he said.