How to save food $ at a hotel?

[GreenSheep]

Jumping in late here, as I've been out of town. I apologize if this is not allowed (if so, please delete), but I've recently written two articles on this topic on my blog (link below, in my signature line) -- one on short-term (few days) domestic travel and one on longer, international travel. I happen to be vegan, but the tips I use could obviously work for meat eaters, too. I take all of my food with me for 5-day work-related trips, and for international trips I take at least enough for the (often very long) flights plus snacks to tide me over until I can get some groceries. All in carryons, so there's no bag check fee or hassle! It's amazing how much cheap, healthy food you can pack when you do it thoughtfully!

Great blog!!

Aww, thanks!! It's still brand new, but I'm having fun with it and hope that others will enjoy it, too. :-)

[startbyservingothers]

Great thread.  -  I have an extreme saver tendency, so consider my thoughts as brain-storming.  These suggestions are not for everyone.

I pack relatively light on clothes and such, thus am typically able to bring 50-75% of food.  -  Anything designed for hiking typically travels well.  Cashews, and other nuts. 

When staying at a regular hotel room I've gone as far as bringing burner and pan with me so that I can cook pasta, etc.  (However you can be certain my checked bag always gets opened by airport security.)

I don't typically eat a ton of chips and snacks at home.  However I find that the 'instant' things tend to get eaten first.  -  Salsa / Cheese dip ,  Granola Cars, other snacks.   -  I don't have a weight problem, so I don't mind mixing in some unhealthy convenient foods while on a trip.   For someone with a weight problem I'd suggest a powder drink mix, that you can mix with milk or water at the destination.
I'm slowly learning to eat out a couple times on vacation, to make the trip more enjoyable for sig. other.

On my Aruba trip I realized just how convenient the little things like condiments could be as well. (Packets of Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo etc.)   Both restaurant and grocery were about double US prices.   Even making some junk like hotdogs would be expensive for two persons by the time you buy all the bits and pieces.     -  I actually bought some fries at McDonald's one day just to get some Ketchup and Mustard packets.  (Fries were less than free when you compare that to $1.50-$2 each for both ketchup and mustard.)  I.e.  I wasted my time during trip just to save a little.  -  A little pre-planning next time and I'll have some packets with me.
IN the US and Caribbean it usually isn't worth it to pack liquor since it can be gotten so cheap at the destination.  However for Aruba I was really grateful for what I had brought.  Like everything else liquor was 50%-100% above US prices.
Carryout Pizza is universally affordable at most places I've been.  (I ask if they have a deal a certain night of the week.   Also I don't require an excess of toppings.)  -  By the way I would go to Aruba again.  I really enjoyed my time there.   -  However I'd require a great deal on hotel, Flight,  and I'd bring a ton of food with me!

[Dicey]

^This^ post reminds me of a tactic used by a friend who takes frequent 3-6 week trips. She typically chooses a swath of the country/world she hasn't seen yet and plans out a detailed itinerary, books hotels and rents a car. For domestic travel, she likes to fly Southwest because, you know, two bags fly free. Her second bag (checked) is always a sturdy apple box filled with food and tied with string. She prefers hotels with free breakfasts, but packs a few breakfast items for those that don't. She also wears cargo pants in her travels. She eats breakfast in the hotel, then stuffs lunch and snacks from the box into her many pockets. She eats as she goes, because "Who has time to stop and eat? I can do that at home!" At night she eats more from the box. She replenishes the box at local stores along the way, always with the goal of emptying/recycling the box before she heads for home. Hardcore travel badass.

Reason #2 for cargo pants - Easy to wash out in the hotel sink and dry overnight. She buys them at the Annual Rummage Sale to benefit the Museum of CA, where she gets in 1) in advance and 2) free because she volunteers at the museum. Did I say hadrcore badass? Yes.

Reason #3 for cargo pants - She travels solo, but often runs into people she has crossed paths with previously. She says people recognize/remember her because of her cargo pants. She says it's kind of fun to run into travelers with similar interests when she's out on such long road trips.

[Guses]

I find that you can often book a room with a sink and stovetop (kitchenette) for around the same price as a "normal" hotel room. Of course this depends on the size of the city, but I have had no trouble doing this all across Canada. Sometimes you have to settle for less luxury (OMG NO FLAAT SCREEN TV BRGRGRL!) though.

I usually cook myself  steak with potatoes and onions in my room. Very easy to make and pretty tasty! Or eggs and toast and potatoes YUM!

I also find that rooms with kitchenettes are usually much quieter than normal rooms due to the layout (usually L shaped with or without a door to the bedroom).

 

[GreenSheep]

Someone mentioned alcohol above, which reminded me that in Iceland, savvy tourists and even the locals get their alcohol at the airport after they fly in from wherever they've been. It's much, much cheaper there -- especially for foreigners, who don't have to pay taxes on it. I haven't looked into this elsewhere, but I would assume it might be the same in other countries.

[mm1970]

This is a very good thread, and a timely one.  My family is leaving tonight for a 1-day trip to Legoland.  (4 hour drive)

I've found that I am sensitive to bagged salad mixes.  At least, that's my theory based on a few restaurant salad experiences, including my last trip to Legoland (spent a couple of hours in much distress that evening).

We are staying at a hotel with free breakfast, a fridge, and a microwave, but only for one night. 

Although my spouse and kids and MIL will probably prefer to eat in the park (and I am going to let them), I will pack a sandwich.  I have a smaller cooler lunch bag that will easily fit in my backpack.  I have leftover mayo and mustard packs from work lunches.  Some raw veggies, a water bottle, a turkey sandwich, and a cold pack should keep fine on the drive down, the night in the fridge, and the first half of the day in the park.

We will stop for dinner on the way home, or before we leave.  Unsure about the best time to leave Carlsbad traffic-wise, when it involves driving through LA.  Probably 6 is better than 5.

[CanuckExpat]

Some hotels don't offer fridges in their room, but if you ask they can have a mini-fridge sent to your room, usually for a fee ($10?).
I've also been at hotels that don't have coffee makers in their room, but when you call the front desk, they tell you they can have a coffee maker and sometimes a kettle sent to your room. (I don't care about making coffee, but use the coffee maker to boil water for tea and oatmeal)