Camping. The very word brings to mind something different to each person. For me, I think of lazy summer days sitting by the lake watching the kids play or chilly fall nights huddled around a campfire. Maybe the days are spent fishing or hiking or just lounging around reading a good book, but one thing is certain—at the end of the day, we retire to our “several years old” 5th wheel equipped with recliners, flat screen TVs, hot shower and plush Queen-size bed. I know, I know…it’s not exactly roughing it.
Don’t get me wrong, our “new to us” RV is not the most luxurious model on the market. It’s got some scars and there are a few things that I would love to update on it but if given a choice, I’d choose staying in that camper living over hotel living any day for a few good reasons.
Expenses
First, let’s talk dollars. On average in a private campground you can expect to pay $30-$40 per night depending on what amenities are offered. State parks usually charge $17-$25 per night. Compare this to $90+ per night at a decent hotel. Along with a hotel stay, you also incur additional charges such as parking fees and room deposits. Also, as a hotel guest, you have no choice but to eat out for every meal and even if they offer complimentary breakfast, you’re looking at $20 for meals and snacks throughout the day. When staying in a camper, you have the convenience of preparing your own meals, whether it’s an elaborate dish, something grilled out or just a simple sandwich. Basically, once you pay the camping fee, that’s it. Whether you choose a hotel or campground, you have a fuel expense, which is usually higher if you’re towing an RV, but not so much more as to offset the price of the hotel bill.
Party Animals vs. Wild Animals
Another drawback to hotel life is the noise. If you’re lucky, you won’t have obnoxious neighbors that interrupt your sleep or decide to begin slamming doors at 5 a.m. I have found that more often than not, luck has not been on my side. When enjoying the privacy of your own RV, you really don’t have to worry about those noisy neighbors because sites are typically situated far enough apart so you have your own living space. So unless you dislike the sound of birds chirping and laughter, camping is a pretty quiet and pleasant event.
Home, Sweet, RV
My husband travels for his job. He knows his territory pretty well, so he’s familiar with what hotels are clean and places he should avoid. It gives me the creeps to think of such things as bedbugs and roaches. One place I know I won’t encounter those things is in my RV. Each time I camp, I’m sleeping on my sheets, on my pillow, in my bed. How many times have you inspected the water glasses in a hotel? Have you ever seen lipstick residue or fingerprints on them?
Laid-Back Living
Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy staying in a nice hotel every once in a while. But as far as vacationing, it’s just not for us. No amount of mints on my pillow can compare to the happiness I feel when I’m spending time with my loved ones, going on an adventure or just hanging around watching the sun set. We choose RV living over a hotel stay every chance we get. It makes for a much more comfortable experience for both my family and our wallets!
We love our RV and do our best to maintain it during the camping season and when it’s time to store it for the winter. We cover it with a top quality RV cover and wheel covers from www.RVCoversDirect.com . Give them a call at 1-800-925-8602 and speak with one of their friendly customer service representatives about the best way to protect your camper!
