South east travel information

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sat December 20th, 2008, 3:11 pm

We are planning a trip this summer for my husbands 50th birthday. We want to start at Orlando, go to Savannah and Charleston and probably continue to DC. What can we expect as far as hotel prices? Where are the most convenient areas to stay? And do you all have any specific suggestions? We'd like to stay around $100 a day or less but have a funny feeling that might be unrealistic....

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Sat December 20th, 2008, 3:48 pm

There are decent hotels in NC for under $100 around the 1-95 corridor. As far as DC-area hotels go, they get more expensive as you get within the Beltway, especially if a hotel is near a Metro stop (and I heartily recommend taking the Metro instead of driving), but they're not ungodly expensive--I would think you could find something for around $150 on the VA side, a little more expensive if you stay in DC itself. I've never stayed on the MD side, so I can't speak to prices over there.

Crystal City, Virginia, has a number of hotels and is just a Metro stop or two away from DC. It's a little sterile (Crystal City, that is), but very convenient.

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Sat December 20th, 2008, 9:23 pm

Rumor has it that Disney in Orlando has been impacted by the economic crunch and the hotels there are begging for customers. If you reserved a room now, you might get a really good rate.

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Sun December 21st, 2008, 2:48 am

If you're starting in Orlando, you probably won't want to stay overnight in St. Augustine (it's only a few hours' drive north on the interstate), but it's well worth a visit if you have some free time. Lovely historic downtown with some outstanding restaurants as well as the Castillo de San Marcos (photo here). We're there around Christmastime every other year and love it.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun December 21st, 2008, 4:18 am

We actually are interested in St Augustine, esp after reading Horowitz's Voyage Long and Strange, about the discovery of Florida. Thanks for the tip

Tanzanite · Post by **Tanzanite** » Mon December 22nd, 2008, 1:41 am

We went to Savannah and Charleston a few years ago and stayed in HIlton hotels in both places (we had enough Hilton points to get them for free). The one in Charleston used to be some kind of military school or something like that and was a very cool, old building and grounds. it was close to the shopping district and the historical area.

In Savannah we again stayed close to the historic district. I remember there was a cute little pizza place not far from the hotel called The Mellow Mushroom (or something like that). In both cities prepare to do a lot of walking (at least in the historic districts). The houses in Savannah are absolutely gorgeous! If I had a bunch of money and could live anywhere, Savannah would be high on my list.

pixiedust · Post by **pixiedust** » Thu January 8th, 2009, 4:45 pm

Ahh St. Augustine, one of my favorite places. I use to live only 30 minutes from that lovely place. I spent every weekend there. I've never been to Savannah or Charleston but I have family in Dublin GA that go often.

Rowan · Post by **Rowan** » Thu January 8th, 2009, 5:27 pm

Yesterday morning on the way to work I heard on NPR how many hotels are lowering their prices because of the economy, so now might be the ideal time to travel.

St. Augustine is fabulous for ghosts too...

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Thu January 8th, 2009, 7:29 pm

You may want to consider staying just north of downtown historic Charleston and near the airport in a La Quinta. June/July rates are $94 per night (not inc. tax) and LQ's are fairly decent motels. I stay in them frequently because they all allow dogs and I've never been disappointed or grossed out yet! Go to lq.com and search rates for the property at 2499 La Quinta Lane in Charleston.

The airport area will have other motels that probably have similar rates while downtown tourist district rates will be higher. Since the ones north of the tourist areas are located very close to I-26, you can easily drive straight onto the historic peninsula, park in one of the multi-level public garages for the day and walk walk walk. Chas has it all - unique historic architecture, fabulous food everywhere, art galleries, high end shopping like Saks, the open City Market bazaar that sells everything under the sun including the famous sweetgrass baskets. I wish Chas had more used bookstores with old treasures to be found, but sadly not.

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Fri January 9th, 2009, 11:41 am

One of my favorite spots to visit in N. FL is Amelia Island. Nice, historic downtown district with shopping and eateries. Cumberland Island isn't very far from there, either. Only so many visitors are allowed per day (you take a ferry from St. Mary's, GA), but it's a lovely jaunt. Last time we did it, we even saw manatees hanging out in the water nearby.