With the state of the economy, we are all trying to budget, cut corners, not to mention coupons, in essence we are all trying to save some cash. While we are staying at a very comfortable and luxurious hotel, we have all noticed that charges can add up, from a four dollar bottle of water, to getting our clothes washed.
Today my dear colleagues, I bring to you some quick tips on how to save some extra cash while staying at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix.
Tip number 1: Get a $5.00 credit good on anything in the hotel
All of you should have a door hanger, that when read will state that by hanging it on your door by 2 a.m., you waive room service for that next day. When you do this, according to the hanger you are "Going Green!" When you wake up the next morning , you will find under your door, your hanger and a small card that can be used as a $5.00 credit on anything in the hotel.
I suggest you do this and before you know it, it will add up to a nice midnight meal, a day of room Internet, or dare I say it: A relaxing drink at the lobby bar!
Tip number 2: Get a .75 credit per day
Call the lobby and waive the delivery of your USA Today newspaper, and you will receive a .75 per day credit at the end of your stay.
Tip number 3: Snacks, Water, and other commodities
All of these can be achieved only a Light Rail ride away. I suggest you take a ride on this express service, to get to the nearest CVS, Target or Walmart to purchase any items you might need, which can add up at the lobby store. $2.50 for a day pass!
Tip 4: Earn free nights at any Starwoods Chain Hotel with your stay
Go to www.spg.com and sign up to be a Starwoods Preferred Member, and start earning points for your stay at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix or any other Starwoods Chain Hotel. After you get your Starwood Preferred member number, go to the front desk and kindly ask them to add it to your current reservation. The guys at the counter will be more than happy to do that for you.
While you are on the website, look at their current promotions and you will see a great promotion that we can all take advantage of: Free Weeknight Stays!
The way this promotion works, is for every two weekend stays you earn a free weeknight stay that you can use at any Category 1-6 Starwoods Chain Hotel to be used anytime from May to September of 2009!
Therefore if any of you are planning on still traveling after the Institute, I suggest you sign up today!
Those are all the tips I have for now, on how to save some extra cash during our stay. If anyone has any other tips, feel free to add. As a coupon clipper, money saver, and penny pincher, I look forward to hearing everybody's comments.
Carlos Contreras
Palmview High School
Mission, TX
Posts
What wonderful tips and suggestions Carlos. The methods in which we can be afforded hotel credits at the lovely Sheraton Hotel is simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your thorough post and for alerting us to the many avenues we have to save a few dollars.
Ariawna Talton
Molina High School
Dallas, TX
As I was riding the elevator this morning I heard a lady mention that you could decline room service and I thought that seemed like a good idea, not particularly to "go green" but rather because I'm the type that feels the need to clean before they come in to clean so that my room looks presentable. I didn't know they gave you a $5 credit though! Now it gives me an excuse to be a semi slob and not feel shamed into cleaning so that housekeeping won't judge me! And I'll be $5 richer.
ReplyDeleteAshley Barnes
Bel Air High School
Bel Air, Md.
Carlos, I'm so glad you posted these tips. I'm adding another one: Let's find a safe, clean laundromat near the light rail to wash clothes. I'm reluctant to pay Sheraton $$5 to wash a pair of socks. Teachers have to be frugal, after all. :>
ReplyDeleteLynne Schneider
Murrah High School
Jackson, MS
As one who ventured out last night, on the light rail, to find the Red Circle Boutique (that's Target, y'all), I do have a basic recommendation. And my mother would slap me silly if she knew that we even attempted such a feat at 9:30 at night, in a strange city, but at the time it seemed ok.
ReplyDeleteWe were in a group of five, so safety in numbers, yes. BUT I don't think public transportation at night is a good idea, regardless of how many of you there are. The CVS that Carlos mentioned is close---only two stops away--but if you want Target, it's a good 20 minute ride, and it's not exactly in the best area.
Most of you are probably saying, "Duh, moron..." but I'm just tossing the warning out there. And also, the signage in the Light Rail stations is not the best... So if you are directionally challenged, like I am, the whole trip can be a bear. I can't orient myself, directionally, without the ocean. So to be quite blunt and crass, I don't know my ass from my elbow out here.
So, take a tip from No-Sense-of-Direction-Barbie---Don't take the light rail at night, and when you do jump on board... Take a map. And a compass. And maybe a boyscout.
Jessica Young
Orange Glen High School
Escondido, Calif.
I'm all for finding a laundromat Saturday afternoon after the lab closes.
ReplyDeleteThe $5 card can help us get through the weekend as there's no Golden Corral (oops! Excuse me, Taylor Place) to enjoy three generous squares.
I'd love the 75c credit as I don't read the USA Today and still have to pay for the $4 bottle of water I drank Sunday afternoon.
Mark Webber
Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts
http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt
Laredo, Texas
While all of these posts have been inspiring and kept me up with new ideas, this blogpost rocks! Thanks! I hope they have some spicy korean spicy noodle at Walmart/Target/whatever!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carlos, for the money savers -- always a great idea. I misplaced my card (or the cleaning lady accidentally tossed it) and I asked her for another as I was headed out to class yesterday. She spoke little English and knew nothing about it. I wonder, does this use of the card impact the tips given to our cleaning people? Do THEY like this "green" idea? Does it impact their jobs in any way? (Fewer rooms to clean, fewer people hired?) Hate to be a downer, but I was just wondering....
ReplyDeleteLynn Dulcie
Rock Hill High Sschol
Rock Hill, SC