NOT Christmas In July

     Thinking about a California beach vacation? Working the opposite of the Christmas in July theory works for booking some vacations.  For years I have taken the time between Christmas and New Years to call for reservations at California beach front hotels.   This timing works for many reasons.  First, because you get front desk people who are in the 'happy holiday' spirit.  Second, some of these hotels are not open during the winter with the exception of the holiday dates.   Also, because you often get a person with the time to do a little chatting and will look around to see what the best deal they can find for you and help to make your exact date decision.  You would be surprised how often the front desk person gets a real charge out of helping you with your vacation plans and dates.  Of course, this can only happen when they have a little extra time.  Plan you calls around check in and check out times.

     Conversations is such an important factor in getting the most for your dollar.   Timing also.  Attitude gets you everywhere.

      A phone call I made one time to what has become our favorite hotel in Santa Cruz, California, is a perfect example.  I called off season and got Richard at the Carousel Hotel.  We talked for almost an hour about the fact that I vacation with my grand daughters; and we talked about his birthday being in July; and he informed me of some of the specials that the Boardwalk would probably be running.  This is all important since we are there for the beach and Boardwalk, booking a room that sits on the Boardwalk, and by the time we were done, we were booking a room at an excellent price with an upgrade, got info on special coupons that were being offered at different locations in the area for events, and were going to be there for Richard's birthday.  What did we have to do to get all this?  Promise to bring a birthday cupcake.

OK - three nights with a savings of $60 per night and it cost me a cupcake.   I can handle that.  I did check the cost of the room if I would have booked it in April - the rate would have been $179 per night for the room we had reserved with a balcony and a view of the boardwalk and ocean; and $159 for the cheapest room with no extras, if we could get a room at all.  Our cost for the room - $99 per night, includes continental breakfast, balcony, and we had a sweet little envelope waiting for us with coupons for the Boardwalk, a gift card for a souvenir shop, and a discount card for the local Burger King.  Sweet deal !  And we returned to vacation the follow couple of years too.

Timing is everything.  Having the gift of gab doesn't hurt.  And The Early Bird really does catch the good deals.

                             Sorry boys - it's a girls only trip!