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Running head: A HOTEL VERSUS CAMPING

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A HOTEL VERSUS CAMPING

A Hotel Versus Camping

Samantha J Adams

ECPI University

My husband, children, and I took our first family vacation to Virginia Beach, VA. Our children were still young, so we did not have much money for a vacation, however, we had never been to the beach before. Since we did not have much money, we had to choose to limit our stay to a few days in a hotel or find another option. Upon an internet search, I found that there was a State Park a few miles from Virginia Beach. This led me to wonder if we should go camping while on our vacation, instead of staying at a hotel. I outweighed the pros and cons of each, and we ended up camping for all but one day of our stay. I believe that as long as you enjoy nature, camping would be a better alternative to staying at a hotel.

Hotels can get quite pricey. There are some circumstances that would make a hotel stay cheaper. If you book the hotel stay in advance and travel during off seasons you would get the best price. According to US News the peak season is from late May to early September, and hotel prices seem to drop during the colder months (“Best Times to Visit,” 2017). Most people, however, prefer to take their vacation during the summer. I searched for hotel prices in Virginia Beach for June, and I found that the price for a room for 2 adults and 2 children ranges from $62 to $275 (“Virginia Beach, Virginia,” 2017). Analyzing this information tells me that, given these circumstances, the average hotel price would be $170 for each night. If staying 6 days and 7 nights the cost would be $1,020. For many people that is not pocket change.

One would imagine that camping in a tent would be cheaper than staying at a hotel. Actually, the price for a camping site, with water and electricity, for nonresidents of Virginia ranges from $34 to $41 (“Virginia State Parks,” 2017). This is four times the average price of a hotel, so a camp site would be cheaper than a hotel room. There are other factors to consider besides price, however.

Camping can be a hassle. It takes up extra time. We all know that time is money, and we want to get the most out of our vacations. When preparing for camping there are extra items to pack, including the tent and sleeping bags. Though it may not take much time to put these items in the trunk, it does take space away for other necessary items. It may lead to having to rearrange the trunk to fit everything. Setting up the tent and camp site also takes time away from your vacation. It can take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes to set up a tent, depending on the size and the persons experience in the setup. Taking the tent down after the stay should not take as long as setting it up, however, one must consider how much energy they are likely to have after their vacation stay.

Unlike camping, staying at a hotel does not require much setup. The only setup necessary is to unpack personal items upon arrival, and repack upon departure. It would only take about five minutes to unpack, and five minutes to repack, leaving more time for relaxation. Some people may also feel more relaxed in a hotel setting, rather than in a tent. A hotel gives the sense of security, allowing you to feel more comfortable.

Another thing to consider is the amenities of the hotel. Some hotels will have pools, gyms, and free breakfast. The pool would allow you to relax and enjoy your stay, even on a rainy day if the pool is indoors. The gym would allow you to stay fit while on your vacation, and work off any stress that you may come across. The free breakfast would save you money, as well as time. You will also most likely have a private bathroom, which would be cleaner than the public showers and toilets at state parks. This will allow you to relax and enjoy a nice hot bath or shower after a long day on the beach.

Though the amenities of a hotel may be appealing, camping also has its benefits. Camp sites are usually located near a body of water, such as a pond or the ocean, which makes it enjoyable for fisherman. There are also, usually, hiking trails and scenic views within walking distance of a camping site. This will allow you to see the area from a different point of view, as you explore the area.

Another thing that makes hotels preferable to many people is that they are usually conveniently located in town or the city. This makes it easy to order food and shop for souvenirs. You do not have to worry about traveling too far, as many popular hotels are surrounded by restaurants and convenient stores.

Unlike staying at a hotel, you usually do not camp in the middle of a town or city. This is another reason why some people prefer camping. Camping has a quiet and peaceful feeling. You may even get better sleep without the noise of traffic that is usually associated with hotels.

When considering whether to camp or stay at a hotel, camping would be a better choice for those who enjoy nature. Camping is cheaper and gives a different perspective on the area, then when staying in a hotel. However, if you prefer to relax and do not enjoy nature so much, the price difference should not persuade you to camp instead of a hotel stay. The idea is to enjoy your vacation, not leave more miserable than when you arrived.

References

Virginia state parks camping fees: NON-Virginia residents. (2017). Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/feescamping-non-res.pdf

Best times to visit Virginia beach. (2017) Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from https://travel.usnews.com/Virginia_Beach_VA/When_To_Visit/

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States of America. (2017). Retrieved on September 20, 2017 from https://www.hotels.com/search.do?resolved-location=CITY%3A1510020%3AUNKNOWN%3AUNKNOWN&destination-id=1510020&q-destination=Virginia%20Beach,%20Virginia,%20United%20States%20of%20America&q-check-in=2018-06-01&q-check-out=2018-06-07&q-rooms=1&q-room-0-adults=2&q-room-0-children=2&q-room-0-child-0-age=2&q-room-0-child-1-age=3