For me, planning a baseball road trip isn’t just about figuring out what teams I want to see and when I want to see them.
It’s also about painstakingly going over a million small details to ensure that I have a memorable time on my trip, whether I’m planning a weekend getaway to a city I’ve visited multiple times or a two-week adventure to several cities I’ve never been. One detail that always garners a lot of my time and attention during the trip-planning phase is which hotel I’ll visit each night. I can honestly tell you that the right hotel can really augment your visit to a particular city for a ballgame — and the wrong hotel can leave a bit of a sour taste in your mouth about the whole day. I’ve encountered both of these scenarios over the years but, thankfully, way more that have fit into the former category. When I’m choosing a hotel, there are many criteria that I consider — and I want to share my process with you to help you make winning choices for your next trips.
Here’s a list of the things that I think about before I decide where I’ll lay my head after a ballgame.
Proximity to the Ballpark
You probably know that I love staying at hotels that are close to ballparks — ideally, immediately adjacent to them so that I can see the field from my window. This is possible in lots of markets (check out my blog post about field-facing hotels) but it’s obviously not always an option. Even if a hotel doesn’t overlook a stadium, it can still be very appealing. A short travel distance from your hotel to the park is always welcome, and you may be lucky enough to have a room that gives you a view of the park from a distance. Keep in mind that you’ll generally pay more to book a hotel that is close to the park. If you’re on a budget and you don’t mind longer travel times, you can save a lot of money by booking something that’s a little farther away and thus doesn’t have the same demand on gamedays.
Complimentary Add-Ons
We all know that baseball road tripping can be expensive, so it’s nice to save on certain travel-related costs whenever possible. When I’m looking at a handful of hotels for a particular trip, I’ll always take note of those that offer complimentary perks. I’m primarily talking about free parking, breakfast and internet access. Having to pay for even a couple of these things can quickly increase your daily expenses. Let’s look at parking, for example. Downtown hotels almost always charge guests to park, and the rate can often be $25 or more per day. Hotels that are situated off the interstate or otherwise outside of downtown, meanwhile, generally provide free parking. Booking a property that offers free parking is one of the easiest ways to keep your road trip costs low. Breakfast is another topic to consider. I never mind picking up some things at the supermarket that I can eat for breakfast, but being able to grab a hot meal to start the day without adding to my bill is always welcome. It’s worthwhile to investigate what a hotel’s free breakfast is like. Some complimentary breakfasts are little more than pastries and some tired-looking eggs and bacon. Conversely, the Embassy Suites chain includes breakfast for guests and I’ve found it to be among the best selection and quality of breakfast food out there. As far as internet access goes, you’ll generally find that hotels don’t charge guests for getting online much anymore. That said, you should always confirm this detail before you book so that you aren’t surprised by a daily connection fee when you check in.
General Location
As noted above, a hotel that is close to a ballpark is widely appealing. If that’s not an option where you’re visiting, it’s still a good idea to assess the general location of a few properties that you’re thinking about. I tend to find that if I’m driving several hours to get to a city, the last thing I want once I check into my hotel is to have to do more driving. I tend to enjoy places where I can walk (even if it’s a lengthy walk) to get groceries, grab dinner or see something interesting. On trips that I’ve wanted to do a little shopping, I’ve tried to find places that are near specific stores or malls. Don’t be afraid to check out some hotels on Google Maps and assess what’s around them.
Check-In/Check-Out Times
Every traveler should be cognizant of a hotel’s check-in and check-out times before booking, but this is something that can especially be important when you’re on a baseball road trip. Check-in times are generally at either 3 or 4 p.m., and choosing a property that gets you into your room on the sooner side is often appealing. I’ve had a lot of long travel days over the years — up at 4 a.m. and traveling for eight or more hours to get to my destination city, for example. When I finally arrive, it’s a relief to be able to get into my room on the sooner side to get a little rest before heading out to the ballpark, rather than having to sit and wait for my room to be ready. An earlier check-in time is also valuable for fans who enjoy getting to ballparks early. If you’re planning to be at the park at 4:30 p.m., for example, having to wait until 4 p.m. to check in can make things more rushed than they need to be. I personally don’t find check-out times to be as critical as check-in times, as I tend to be an early riser who seldom waits until the last minute to check out. But, if you’re someone who enjoys staying up late and sleeping in, a noon check-out time will be favorable to one at 11 a.m.
Nightly Rates
You can’t talk about evaluating hotels during a baseball road trip without mentioning the importance of considering the rate at different properties. There are road trippers who spare no expense, and there are those who travel on a budget. It’s a good idea to think about what type of traveler you are when you’re trip planning. For some people, two nights at a budget property for less than the cost of one night at a higher-end hotel can make for a longer, more exciting trip. For others, it’s nice to splurge on a hotel — particularly if you’re a sporadic traveler. Whatever your approach, it’s a good idea to check the rate at several hotels on a bunch of websites so that you can find the deal that works for you.
Gym and Pool
Most hotels have some type of gym and pool, but these amenities always deserve careful consideration before you book. Being able to get up early and work out for half an hour or enjoy a late-night swim before the pool closes are both good ways to increase the overall enjoyment of your stay — and burn off a few calories from ballpark hot dogs and nachos. Look at online photos of each of these areas at every hotel you’re considering. Some hotels’ gyms are little more than a tiny room with a treadmill and a stationary bike, while other hotel gyms have dozens of machines, a huge selection of free weights and more. If you’re serious about working out during your stay, the latter style will be immeasurably better. When it comes to assessing the pool area, photos will help you to get a sense of its size and, in general, how appealing it looks.
Hotel Loyalty Membership
One of the best things that I did when I started traveling for this website back in 2010 was to sign up for multiple hotels’ loyalty programs. Over the years, I’ve been able to collect a considerable number of points that I’ve occasionally redeemed for free accommodation. These programs are typically free to enroll and it feels good to know that each stay is contributing to cost savings sometime down the line. Plus, there are a number of cool perks of being a member, including dedicated check-in/out areas at certain hotels, room upgrades, free bottled water and more. If I’m trying to decide between two hotels, I’ll consider my loyalty points situation with each one. If I’m close to having enough points to redeem for something at one hotel brand over another, staying at that hotel can be a better choice.
Access Off the Highway/Airport Access
Downtown hotels are a lot of fun; being able to park my vehicle for the entirety of your stay and explore the neighborhood on foot is something that I always enjoy. There are times, however, that I just want a hotel that is conveniently located off the highway. There are a few reasons that this can be the case. If I know that a particular travel day will be long, it’s sometimes nice to think about getting to the hotel with ease instead of sitting in traffic on the way downtown. Or, if I know that I’ll be checking out early the morning after a game, being able to get on the highway just minutes after walking out of my room is a satisfying feeling and a good way to save travel time. On a similar note, access to the airport is something to think about when you’re flying for your trips. An airport hotel is a great option if you have an early flight that you need to catch.
Things to Do in the Hotel
A gym and a pool might be atop my list of enticing hotel amenities, but it can be fun to see what other things there are to do during your stay. If you’re traveling with a friend or two, a property that has an on-site sports bar can be a good choice. For a trip with a spouse or significant other, look for a hotel that has a patio with fire pits that you can enjoy at night after the ballgame. If you enjoy gambling, a hotel casino will give you plenty of options at any hour of the day or night. A business center can be handy if you expect to spend some time working during your stay. Hotels’ websites do a good job of outlining all that they offer, so take some time to browse a few properties to find what will best suit your needs.