Summer weather came to New York City for a few days, but didn't stick around. I know summer is here anyway because everywhere I go I see tourists standing on corners as they peer at New York City guide books. It is doubtful that any of them is a home exchanger. Our little community is, well, little. Vacationers still think "hotel" when they plan a trip.
With the world-wide economy not doing well I keep hearing that travel is a relative bargain these days. You can get amazing deals on cruises and any travel to Mexico you might care to do. Even Manhattan hotels are slashing prices or offering a free night when you pay for two or three.
Are tightening budgets and cheaper hotels causing home exchange to become obsolete?
I took a look at a major hotel consolidator website. They offer rooms for much less than the rack rate. I randomly picked summer weeknights. In the case of Manhattan, there was only hotel with weekday room rates of under $100 per night that had a guest rating over four stars and a class rating (in terms of amenities) of over two stars. The name of that establishment tells you everything you need to know. It is called "The Pod Hotel".
Back when I started swapping in New York, I had a beautiful 1-bedroom apartment in the heart of Manhattan that was about 800-square feet including a terrace. I was always amused by those who felt the apartment was "too small." By New York City standards it was massive. A more typical "small" Manhattan apartment would be a 375-square foot studio. A studio is an apartment where all of the living area is in one small room. Co-incidentally, 375 square feet is the size of the average hotel room, though not the average Manhattan hotel room. The Pod Hotel, however, offers sub-$100 rooms that are only 120 square feet and have no private bathroom.
So is home exchange obsolete? When it comes to expensive vacation destinations I would have to say "no". Even the smallest Manhattan studio apartment is going to compare favorably in size to any nearby hotel room, and it's free.
On the other hand, home exchange might be pointless in a few places. Tune in next time to find out where and why.
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