For me it's usually better. No pet odors, more channels on the TV, and the car rent doesn't act funny like my rattling 130K mile older car. In some countries I can also have someone else do the laundry, and even get things like massages affordably. I also don't have a pool or jacuzzi if I can Priceline my way into 3-star or higher.

Maid service may be infrequent (extended stay places). I don't like to self-cater because I think I'm missing out if I can't try the food, but if costs are really tough (say, Tahiti), I might do some.

Can see the flip side, though. People with overbuilt houses, hot tubs, big flat TVs and other things the hotel has trouble matching could see it as a step down. Or maybe think they need a high star level to not have to adapt. I think it's a lot more fun when it's a step up.

People with overbuilt houses, hot tubs, big flat TVs and other things the hotel has trouble matching could see it as a step down.

With our recent purchase of the W Hotel/Simmons mattress, I am sure "there's no place like home."

Depends on what you mean by "live better." I sleep better at home because I have a great bed setup, but I feel healthier and more alive when I am out and about. I am sure a lot of it is psychological, but I also think a lot of it is the cold and the fact that I can't tolerate it. Seasons schmeasons. :)

Usually about the same. I do try to eat marginally healthier when on the road, but my bedroom/house is much better than any hotel that my company throws me in. I think that the only time I had a better time was when I got upgraded into a 2br suite for a week in Vegas. I had my friends drive up from LA to actually enjoy it too.

Well,

I purchased a fixer upper project, so part of my leisure travel (90% of my travel :( ) is to get away from the mess for a few days :D So unless I'm slumming it in a shared hostel room, it doesn't take much :rolleyes:

Interesting thread ^

EmailKid

Well I certainly dress better. I tend to wear my "comfortable" clothes at home, but travel with the nicer ones.

I think I live better on the road. I have my own room, my own bathroom, just my own everything without having to share. :)

Nothing beats home... but staying at full service hotels or the occasional resort, being able to eat at nice restaurants, and sometimes being able to fly in business or first class certainly makes up for being away!

Of course, when one winds up in a poor quality hotel, in a town where you can't eat the food or drink the water, and where you had to get on a series of dodgy RJ's or turbo-props just to get there, you can wish you never left home.

Nothing beats home... but staying at full service hotels or the occasional resort, being able to eat at nice restaurants, and sometimes being able to fly in business or first class certainly makes up for being away!

Of course, when one winds up in a poor quality hotel, in a town where you can't eat the food or drink the water, and where you had to get on a series of dodgy RJ's or turbo-props just to get there, you can wish you never left home.


i completely agree

I am sure a lot of it is psychological, but I also think a lot of it is the cold and the fact that I can't tolerate it. Seasons schmeasons. :)

Exactly, I hate WINTER. I grew up in the area and still am a wuss for the winters.

I enjoy staying in a resort or hotel as much as anybody, but the view of my garden from my bedroom window is priceless, thank you very much :)

I'd say it's a draw. The main thing I would consider better about staying in a hotel is that I don't have to clean it. Everyday I come back and my room is clean. Unfortunately that does not happen at home. I'm usually more comfortable at home however.

It depends on where I go and why.

For food: If I'm visiting family, we eat out more often and generally eat richer food than when I'm at home. For leisure travel, I tend to choose places where costs are significantly cheaper than home (granted, I live in NYC) so I tend to eat and drink at a standard that I wouldn't necessarily be able to afford here.

In terms of exercise, I usually walk a lot when traveling but rarely get an intense aerobic workout.

In terms of housing, I spend so little time at home or in hostels that it doesn't makes a difference. But I definitely live better in hotels than at home - the former has cable TV and I don't have to clean!

I live better at home, and eat healthier there too, but when I'm at home for more than two weeks straight I get the urge to get away. I usually sleep better at a hotel because I don't have my 2 year old waking me up at 6:30 or 7 AM.