Some of the many benefits of vacation ownership include taking cost-efficient trips. Condominium-style resorts lower vacation costs through convenient unit features and free onsite amenities. Check out these top 3 tips for reducing vacation expenses and enjoy your next vacation along with the big savings!

1. Lower Food Budget & Convenient Dining

Dining out three times a day can add up quickly, especially on a week-long vacation for two or more. With a kitchen in-suite, you can prepare at-home meals that will reduce holiday spending. Substituting restaurant meals for dishes you prepare yourself can save you about 325% on food costs. 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Save by stocking up on cereal, eggs, and other morning-time favorites that are easy to prepare. Having breakfast in your resort can save you hundreds in just a week, especially if you have kids.

Make sure to fuel up before heading out for fun so you can avoid overpriced drinks. Having coffee at the resort saves you about $4 a cup every day. Some resorts even offer complimentary coffee and tea in the morning. 

Don’t forget about reheating leftovers from great nearby restaurants. Having a microwave and oven lets you reappreciate the meal without paying twice. 

A kitchen also means you can store your favorite snacks. Stop at the local grocery store and grab full sizes of drinks, snacks, and other refreshments to enjoy throughout your vacation stay. If you have storage bags, then you can pack snacks for your day trips too!

Many vacation resorts have barbeque grills, which turn any meal into an activity. Make a spread at the picnic areas and eat a cost-efficient meal outdoors!  

Bonus: Better for Kids and Families  

Would your kids rather eat chicken fingers than fine dining? Save money on untouched entrees at costly restaurants by having food your children will actually eat in the privacy of your suite. Making meals on vacation is priceless when you have fussy eaters. Get your kids involved. Cook your meals together and make memories that will last a lifetime. 

Likewise, parents with small children appreciate the option to dine in and avoid the process of traveling to an eatery after a full day of entertainment. Having all the convenience of home on holidays means a more relaxing vacation. 

Another benefit of in-suite kitchens is enjoying a home-cooked meal with your family. While trying new restaurants and foods is an exciting part of traveling, a comfortably familiar dish can be the best part of anyone’s day. Give your family their favorite meal at a fraction of restaurant prices.

2. Take Advantage of Free Onsite Features 

Vacations resorts offer fun and indulgence with onsite amenities. Swimming pools are the most common and extremely popular facility at vacation resorts nationwide. Some swimming pools are heated and have water features while others have poolside activities to entertain kids and adults alike. Some vacation resorts even have a poolside smoothie bar available for guests and visitors. 

You can also relax in their hot tubs after an activity-filled day. Hot tubs and pools are typically closeby so you can jump into your preference while staying close to your family. Similarly, units may have jetted tubs so you can relax in privacy. 

Unwind in your condo-style vacation unit with cable-connected televisions in living rooms and bedrooms. Check with concierge services at your resort about complimentary movie rentals. Wi-Fi is available so you can stay as connected as you want with your personal devices.

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you need to break your fitness routine. Some resorts have fitness centers and a variety of equipment from weight machines to exercise bikes. The Grandview at Las Vegas has a 9-hole mini golf course to add some playful competition into your training.

From business centers to complimentary beverages, there are plenty of free perks in vacation ownership. Free shuttle service  to nearby attractions and local grocery stores make it easier for you than thinking about taking your own car to those places. Shuttles transport you from the resort to nearby destinations, like The Strip in Las Vegas or Walt Disney World® in Orlando. Some resorts even offer shuttle buses for day trips to the outlet malls and other cities in the area with so much to do once you get there.

3. Look for Free Activities

Use the resort’s free Wi-Fi to research nearby free attractions and events. You can also speak to the resort’s concierge about scheduled events and complimentary activities, like movie screenings in the evenings. The concierge will know about no-cover museums and parks as well as low-cost activities. 

Since vacation resorts are located in popular destinations, you can always go on a self-guided tour of the area. Checking out the local attractions on foot is especially fun in areas like Las Vegas and parts of South Florida. 

In Las Vegas, you can explore venues in casinos that have free entertainment for guests. Several locations have areas where you can interact with wildlife and even mermaids free of charge. Las Vegas has dozens of free sights to see like the ever-changing fountain show at the Bellagio and your favorite characters, superhero, and celebrity impersonators. 

Some vacation resorts have onsite entertainment. For instance, The Berkley, Orlando has a private movie theater, arcade, and billiards room. Vacation resorts also have indoor and outdoor areas perfect for socializing, including outdoor fireplaces. 

More rural locations – like Williamsburg, VA and the Berkshires – have nature trails that cost nothing to explore. You can play games at the horseshoe pit as well as at their volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. 

If you have young kids, then you’ll love the areas specifically designed for children. Vacation is more affordable and safer with playground areas and age-appropriate poolside toys and activities. 

Luxury accommodations like those offered at Massanutten Resort have so many amenities and attractions that you’ll never want to leave. The most popular feature is its award-winning Indoor/Outdoor Water Park, Ski and Family Adventure Park, which has something for every member of the family. Although some activities like horseback riding and ice skating have additional charges, there are still free options like the nature centers and arcade rooms.