WI to CA travel with 2yr old

[Cal12]

Hey you have all been so helpful. I have one last question for you. What sites have you found to give you the best prices for hotels? I have the hotel.com app (which was VERY useful to find hotels that had what I wanted in the cities I needed them) and so far it always ends up with Days Inn. I was wondering if I should check them against somewhere else? Random searches gives me a lot of options, so where is your go to?

[Midwest Michael]

I actually don't use the hotels.com app, although I don't have anything against it.

You can certainly start by comparing hotel prices right here, just look on the right side of the screen, or the "hotels and cars" link at the top of the page. (Buying through here would be a nice thank you for the free advice, hint, hint!)

Other things I use: Kayak is a great starting point, which will search across multiple sites, including hotels.com. I also check out the "blind booking" sites like Priceline and Hotwire, which can get you a great price, but at the risk of not knowing exactly where you'll end up. Also check out the coupon books you'll find at many rest areas and truck stops, which provide good deals if you're looking to show up at a place without making reservations.

[Lifemagician]

Frankly, I only ever use the coupon books found at interstates. Have always found they give me the best rates for where I am and what I want.

Lifey

[John259]

FWIW I'd say try Motel 6 for one night. I've used them on numerous occasions and never had any cause for complaint but if you don't like it, then next time try something at the next price level up, say Super 8. If you're still not happy, move up again.

But opinions on this subject vary considerably and have an unfortunate tendency to become emotive, so if you've found an accommodation solution that you're happy with then I'm not trying to persuade you to change.

[glc]

I wouldn't stay at a Motel 6 without reading some reviews first - I use Tripadvisor. Some of them are quite decent but some of them are real dumps.

I have stayed at the one in Holbrook, AZ and was very happy. The one here in Joplin is a dump, it attracts less than desirable clientele. It's noisy, lowlifes tend to hang around it, there's drug dealing, and there was even a shooting last year.

[Cal12]

You can certainly start by comparing hotel prices right here, just look on the right side of the screen, or the "hotels and cars" link at the top of the page. (Buying through here would be a nice thank you for the free advice, hint, hint!)

Wow, I'm blind! Can ya tell I have been over thinking and being overly nervous about this trip! LOL Thank you all!