Last week I made the nine hour drive from North Carolina to Indiana to visit my kids. I've been making this trip every six weeks for the last year. This trip was my first staying in a hotel which I found much better than an AirBnB, and not just because it was half the price!
First of all, free breakfast. Feeding my kids on my trips is always a bit of a financial drain. Right now they are 10, 14 and 16, so a free meal during which we also stocked up on snacks was essential. I also cut down costs by having lunch late/dinner early. I brought my air fryer with me along with sandwich fixins, and that made meals a snap.
Second comes a free, daily room refresh courtesy of the housekeeping staff. I keep my space very clean anyway, but getting fresh linens and more soaps as well as a quick wipedown of shared surfaces was way better than I expected.
Third was a pool and fitness room. I didn't end up using the fitness center, although I had grand plans to do so daily. Maybe next time. However, we did use the pool every night and it really helped the kids bring their energy down to manageable levels when cooped up in a small space.
We didn't end up using the television. Instead we streamed some shows on my laptop. Because my youngest was on Fall Break for the full week, we spent a lot of time at the library while I completed my work. That made for good fun and yumminess because we got to stop at the local coffee shop across the street.
I was very unsure a hotel stay could work. It did because I have my 16yo separate from the other two which made having only two beds no problem. The younger kids just took turns sharing a bed with me so we could stock up on cuddles for when we're apart again.
I kept myself company on the drive each way by listening to the podcast "We Can Do Hard Things." I really enjoyed the topics brought up. They kept my mind engaged which prevented me from getting tired. Pit stops were quick. Even when the kids are in the car with me, we are focused and fast. The drive feels less and less cumbersome the more I do it. I look forward to the quiet time. On the way home, I process my sadness about not taking the kids with me.
I'm hoping to fly the kids to me for a week in November and December. That will cost less than me driving and staying there. It's a huge financial commitment, but they are so worth it. Plus, they are growing up so fast!