I need advice on least expensive but decent hotel for 8/1 PIR

[Cheryl T.]

I have been researching on my own but I am so lost on where to stay or not!! Our money is very limited so I am looking for a decent place but not one with bugs, bad smells , etc!! I know I am asking for alot but there has to be a place like this close to the naval base.
Cheryl T

[Cheryl T.]

Pennie,
No we are staying at the Ramada Inn. I checked into the Homewood but the Ramada Inn was cheaper. I am not sure if any other family is staying there but other than the Navy Lodge this was the cheapest. I didn't find a comment on my page from you today??
Cheryl T

[Seabee Dtr]

Lesly has something on the events list, I think we will be going to Flanagans, it seems to be the place to meet on Thurs. It seems to be family friendly and most groups meet there, they have groups every week and John the owner told me to thank all the moms on n4m for giving our children to serve our country.

[Carlotta-JLR the AO mom]

Susan and Pennie - just left PIR 6/27 and we stayed at Homewood Suites. I personally thinks it was worth the price and more. Very nice big breakfast every morning and usually served at 6:30 am during weekdays and 7:00 am on weekends. Kitchenettes in every room with all things needed to cook good meals. Gas grills if you want to grill out. Free wireless internet. Nice pool area with towels. In the lobby they have a little store to buy snacks and personal hygiene products just in case you forget something. Nice big and comfy beds. Sleeper sofa also. Good staff especially John and Heidi. Don't forget to ask for the graduation packet at the front desk which will have directions to local eating places, attractions, malls and to graduation. Hope you enjoy!

[Cheryl T.]

Carlotta,
Thanks for your input on the Homewood Suites! I have canceled my reservations at the Ramada Inn and made reservations at Homewood Suites. I talked to John at Homewood and just as you reported he was very helpful and very kind! I am excited to meet this young man! I told him about the positive responses on Navy For Moms and he was excited to tell his boss. Are you going to graduation on 8/1? If so I can't wait to meet the other proud parents. Thanks again.
Cheryl T

[Carlotta-JLR the AO mom]

Cheryl - we went to PIR on June 27th

[beachmomma]

Thanks for letting me know how nice the Homewood Suites are. Did you have a 1 or a 2 bedroom suite? We have booked a 2 bedroom suite but may still have sleeping issues. I was wondering if the 2 bedroom had the sleeper sofa also. If not, I wonder if it would be long enough for someone to sleep on it. If you booked a 1 bedroom, I'll just call John again and inquire. Maybe they also have rollaway beds.

[Carlotta-JLR the AO mom]

Pennie we had a 1 bedroom suite. Yes all rooms have a sleeper sofa and they have a rollaway bed also.

[beachmomma]

Thanks. That will help the sleeping situation...wish we could take everyone.

[Susan X 2]

Thank you Carlotta for the information. Congratulations to your sailor!! I am so glad that we chose Homewood Suites, had considered the Navy Lodge but after readign some of theposts we decided my husbands back would appreciate a nicer bed. Thanks again for your input .

[Cheryl T.]

hey all,
Thanks to all the responses you sent me. We are staying at the Ramada Inn. It was the most reasonable with the exception of the Navy Lodge. Our son did want to be off base for a break. However, he said he wants to go do stuff so we won't spend much time at the hotel. If there is going to be a get together on Thursday night I would love to know about it if it is okay. Thanks again.
Cheryl T

[JunieB]

Cheryl, We just returned from July 3 PIR. we stayed at the Navy Lodge and it was great. Very clean & friendly. It is off base just as much as any other motel. It is in the Navy housing area, but not on the base proper. You would need to drive to the base as it is too far to walk. If you ask at the front desk they will give you a temporary NEX card for the mini mart/ gas station down the road. That came in handy. It has AC and cable, vending machines (also came in handy) The only thing I wished it would have had would be a hot tub, but we really probably wouldn't have had the time to use it anyway.

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Just to add to what Junie said, we found our stay at the Navy Lodge (PIR 6/27) very pleasant for my husband, daughter and I. We had one of the larger rooms (ask for one) with the full kitchenette. We didn't cook in the room, but were able to have our own hot breakfast stuff, (there's even a toaster) microwave restaurant left overs and refridgerate cold drinks etc. The sink and dressing/ironing space was separate from the toilet/shower. There were 2 Queen sized beds, they were firm, but not uncomfortable. My husband has had back problems, had to replace our home mattress last year, he slept fine, no complaints. They would also have brought us a rollaway if we'd requested. There's laundry facilities too.

When I was debating how many nights to stay, (we thought we might be staying in WIs. with family on the weekend), the friendly reservations gal said "Honey, we are run by the NAVY, we're not like those civilian hotels that charge you for things you don't use or don't deliver on service and cleanliness! If you need anything or to change anything, we'll accomodate you". They added 2 nights, after PIR, no questions no hassles. The front desk staff is mostly ex-military, efficient and helpful. One gal assured us that we could leave our laptops and valuables, they hadn't had any theft in the 7 years she'd been there. =)

You will probably have to pay a small fee for internet access though (we paid $7 a day for three days), there is no continental breakfast (didn't miss it), no pool or gym (no time) and no shuttle (rented a car, didn't need it. We liked the freedom of coming and going when we wanted and needed to and only being a short hop to the gates at GL) We were 5 minutes from Flanagans (Pre PIR dinner-great place!) and a couple other budget friendly eateries like the Full Moon 24 hr. diner. If memory serves me correctly, the Red Carpet Inn is right next door to Flanagans. I heard good things about the Homewood Suites too, would try it if I visited again. But if you are on a budget, and don't have a large crew, you get 3 nights at NL for the price of 2 at HS, still get friendly staff and are closer to GL. Know this is a long post. Hope it helps.