When Joy and Robert Habenicht of Boulder, Colo., vacationed in Washington State earlier this year, they paid $20 a night for lodging. And they weren’t staying in fleabag motels.
They had three nights in Seattle with 180-degree vistas of Puget Sound. Two nights in Gig Harbor, Wash., were spent in a country suite with private patio and views of Point Defiance and Vashon Island. Then there were two nights on Orcas Island in the beautiful San Juan islands of Washington state.
Total cost for two: $140 for seven nights. That, Joy Habenicht says, included delicious homemade breakfasts, conversation and hints on the areas from stimulating, well-traveled hosts.
How did they do it? They’re members of the Affordable Travel Club, which has members throughout the United States and Europe and caters to travelers over 40 who enjoy staying in bed-and-breakfasts.
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“It’s just terrific,” says Joy. “And you can’t beat the price.”
And, she says, she was host to three members of the club three times in August.
“It was a delightful experience. We’re still writing to each other.”
Host members pay a “gratuity” of $15 single or $20 double a night when they stay with another member, while non-host members pay $25 single and $30 double. Hosts provide continental or full breakfast, plus an hour of time to acquaint the guests with their area.
Annual membership dues are $40 for hosts and $55 for non-hosts. Members receive a directory of members and a quarterly newsletter with a supplement of new members.
John and Suzanne Miller of Gig Harbor started the club a year ago December and put out the first member directory April 1. A new directory will come out Jan. 1 and every January thereafter.
The club has 200 members, with hosts in 160 locations. Some 26 states are represented, plus 11 countries. St. Petersburg, Russia, is the latest member.
“We’ve had a fantastic reaction so far from members using the club,” says Suzanne Miller, who started the organization after experiencing home exchanges for 10 years and later hospitality exchanges.
She’d like to have the other 24 states represented. And, she notes, “We could use some more members in Colorado.”
For more information on the club and a brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Affordable Travel Club, 6556 Snug Harbor Lane, Gig Harbor, Wash. 98335, or call 206-858-2172. Joy Habenicht also would be happy to discuss her experiences as a member. For more information call Habenicht at 303-530-0313.