by Tricia
As I mentioned yesterday, we took a six-day trip to visit our parents (near Lansing and Port Huron). It’s a route we travel about once a year or so, so this year we decided to do something different on the return trip…we stopped at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
To those unfamiliar with the Soo (as it’s often referred to), it is home to the Soo Locks which is a must-see destination for those who enjoy watching freighters. That’s the main reason we enjoy going there. It is fascinating to watch those huge freighters up close and personal.
Going there did add a little bit of time to our trip and a little bit more in gas, but the big expense was with where we stayed. This time of year, we probably could have gotten a motel room for as little as $40. Instead, we decided to treat ourselves to a hotel that is right across the street from the Soo Locks park. From our window, we couldn’t see the Soo Locks, but we were able to see frieghters approaching the locks. We could then head on over to the park to see them.
On top of that, the hotel was mighty fancy. It’s the fanciest place we have ever stayed, I believe. We are very much used to the motel scene and we felt a bit out of place since most of the people we saw at the hotel were in suit and tie or dressed fancy. We didn’t explore the entire hotel too much since we only stayed a night, but what we did see screamed “elegant”.
Normally, the room goes for $300/night according to the sticker on the back of the door. But, when I called the hotel direct the rate was $125. By going online to Ramada.com (the hotel chain’s main site), I was able to get the room for $100. That was the lowest I could find it, and I even checked travelocity.com — I wonder if I had had some Travelocity Coupons if I could have found a deeper discount.
Our other big splurge came in the morning when we had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Freighters Restaurant. By golly, it cost $21.00 for our breakfast, but I couldn’t quit talking about how good breakfast was all the way back home! It was the best breakfast I have ever had. The service was great too. It was so fancy in there and again we really felt out of place. We have been to a few fancy places before, and we have been treated differently and the service lacked. I always thought it could be due to our very casual appearance. Our waitress made us feel really special, so I left an $8.00 tip. No, not a huge tip, but the biggest (percentage-wise) tip I’ve given someone. I only wish it could have been more.
So, those were the big splurges on our trip. The rest was more low-key. Next I’ll write up how we saved some money.