Travel Tip | How I Save on Food

Vacations and staycations can be costly!

In addition to airfare and hotel accommodations, there's entertainment, food and gratuity, transportation and parking. It's likely that your hotel is in a touristy area which means

higher prices all around.

Ilikai Hotel

Quick story: We went to California/Disneyland one year and stayed with family. We had home cooked meals EVERY NIGHT. While I truly appreciated the hospitality and the money I saved, I also wasn't able to dine at any of the restaurants I'd been wanting to try.

Ruth Chris Steak House, Waikiki Beachwalk

For me, food is a big part of the travel experience, and I love trying recommended places, new-to-me places and local fare when available. And, of course, you'll want to hit up those instagram-worthy spots! But all these meals and snacks add up for a foodie like me.

Saw these donuts on instagram.

So how do I stay within budget?

Swap out one meal a day. 

By that I mean I'll have one "home" meal a day.

Here are a few ways:

1)  Look for hotels that offer free breakfast.

Even a continental breakfast is good enough to hold you over until a mid-morning snack or lunch. It beats the pricey coffee + scone from the coffee shop in the hotel lobby everyday. 

$12 coffee + pastry from the hotel lobby.

2)  Bring a few groceries to the hotel room.

I always bring the following non-perishable items to the hotel for a weekend staycation:

(Vacationing away from home? Make a run to a local grocery store.)

- a loaf of bread

- almond butter packets

- a small jar of honey

(Goober peanut butter + jelly combo works, too!)

- bananas

- packets of tuna

- squeezable mayonaise 

- bottled water

A recent stay at Turtle Bay Resort. Tuna sandwiches were perfect after a morning of swimming!

Peanut butter + jelly sandwiches and a banana are great for breakfast before you head out for the day. This also makes a great snack.

Tuna sandwiches make a quick lunch if you're back at the hotel for a rest.

If I pass by a store on the way back to the hotel, I'll grab yogurt, OJ, and fruit which are all great for breakfast or a quick snack and will fit into the small room refrigerator.

Traveling with young children? Stock up on snacks that you can throw in your bag, as impulse food purchases when kids get fussy add up!

This is what breakfast looks like before we head out for the day.

3) Opt for a suite with a kitchen.

With research and planning, it's possible to get a great deal on a suite. With the addition of a kitchen, you can prep all the quick breakfasts and snacks in #2, but now you have the option to cook.

A piece of fresh fish (or steak) from a local market + a packaged salad is a simple and easy dinner.

*     *     *

Of course, nothing is set in stone, but at least you have options. If you love breakfast, have it! Then maybe enjoy a lite lunch at the room. If you want to try that cute lunch place you saw on instagram, go for it! Then skip the big dinner and grab a bottle of wine + cheese to enjoy on the balcony while watching the sunset. The idea is to save...so you can splurge.

Checklist:

Do you like dining out when traveling?

Or are you more about the activities and entertainment?

In case you missed it:

Burger Guide 01