Taking a trip to get away from it all is slowly becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. As work days get longer and families busier, it’s more important than ever to take time to reconnect with each other and with ourselves. Whether you’re traveling to a beachside town along the Florida coast or a small town in the Rocky Mountains, you’ll need a great place to stay. After all, after a long day of swimming or hiking, you’ll need a relaxing place to rest. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford five-star resorts. However, luxury hotels may still be within your reach!

Sign up for travel alerts and offers

One of the best ways to get notified when a great deal is available on a hotel is to sign up for a variety of mailing lists. This can be overwhelming, so consider opening an entirely new address for this purpose. Go directly to the source of the hotel chains you like to join their mailing lists. Go to this address once a week, or more if a trip is coming up. Vacation deals come and go, so be patient and keep looking! Remember, last minute deals are often the best deals.

Stay out of tourist areas

The more obscure or popular a place is, the more expensive it will be. These sound like complete opposites that possibly don’t make sense, but what you really need to do to get a great hotel for a low price is find one smack in the middle of the obscure and the familiar. Suburbs outside of major cities are your best option because the closer you get to downtown and tourist areas, the higher the prices per night.

Consider booking packages

Some of the best vacation deals come from taking advantage of packages. Many hotels offer special packages to convince guests to stay an extra night and boost the local economy. Most of these packages have a two-night minimum stay requirement, but you’ll often get restaurant gift cards, shopping passes, and even theme park tickets. Depending on what you want to do on your trip, these services can add up to savings quickly. Be sure to research the hotel’s special offers before you book.

Use rewards programs

One of the best strategies for saving on hotels is to pick a favorite hotel or two and stay at those specific chains every time you travel. The rewards add up fast and soon you’ll be able to take advantage of a great offer. Also, if you or your spouse are traveling on business, see if you can book them with your rewards account number.

There is always a way to enjoy a great vacation on a tight budget. Research local areas, consider rewards programs and sign up for alerts, and you’ll soon be on the trip of your dreams.