This post brought to you by Groupon Getaways. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Baby to Boomer Lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Groupon Getaways – Groupon.com
Groupon Getaways: Booking
Sometimes you just need to get away and relax and that’s just what my husband and I are doing with two Groupon Getaways. The first location we chose was to Sedona, AZ (read: Why we chose Sedona). The deal had a fabulous feature that allowed me to book the hotel directly through Groupon which took all the guess work out of figuring out if the deal fit our proposed travel dates and if rooms were available. This was by far my favorite way to buy a Groupon. I already had a Groupon account, so using the payment option already linked meant I was done in just a few minutes and I could start dreaming about all of the peace and relaxation I’d be experiencing at my destinations. If you don’t already have an account, it’ll just take you a few minutes to set one up. You’ll need to provide basic information like name, address, telephone number, email address, etc., and then enter your payment option. That’s it!
Local Groupon Deals in Your Travel Destination
Once we had our hotel set, we booked our airfare and rental car. Then, we started looking into what we might want to do when we got there beyond just relaxing. The first place I looked for adventures was the local Groupon Deals website. Sedona is a small town, but I was still able to find a few local deals right there, plus a few not too far away.
Photo Credit: Groupon Getaways – Groupon.com
There were discounts on the popular guided jeep tours, the Sedona Trolley, winery tours, and even horseback riding adventures. The activities and adventures change often, so I keep a watch for new listings that we might be interested in. Just recently, a water rafting trip was added that would be a must-do summer adventure for sure!
Keeping Track of Your Groupon Getaways
Once your vacation and/or activities are booked, you can find them under your “My Reservations” tab under “My Stuff” in your Groupon dashboard. Having everything in one place makes it so much easier to keep track of what I’ve scheduled and how much I paid for it. If the getaway is a voucher instead of a reservation, it lets me know when it’s about to expire so I don’t miss out on scheduling my getaway. I love that every Groupon I’ve ever purchased is there with all of the details – it makes record keeping so much easier!
Groupon Getaways – Road Tripping
Once our Sedona trip was booked, it was time to choose the destination of our second adventure. This one needed to be within a few hours drive from our home near Seattle and it had to be pet-friendly as we’d called in every available favor for dog sitting during the Sedona trip. With those two stipulations directing our choices, there were these two great options to choose from:
- Astoria Riverwalk Inn – Astoria, OR 1- or 2-Night Stay for Two in a King Balcony Room with Museum Passes at Astoria Riverwalk Inn in Astoria, OR
- Robin Hood Village Resort – Union, WA 1-, 2-, or 3-Night Stay for Two in a Hot Tub Cottage at Robin Hood Village Resort in Union, WA. Combine Up to 12 Nights. Pets $20 a night
After looking at the photos of both locations, we opted for the Robin Hood Village Resort. While we LOVE the Astoria area and have wanted to go back and explore the museums there since our last trip through the area, our two little dogs are better suited for a cabin in the woods than a condo on the beach. Plus, the Robin Hood Village Resort features private hot tubs and their onsite restaurant prepares farm-to-table food which is highly recommended by past visitors.
This Groupon Getaways deal didn’t have the same instant booking feature as the first. For this one, I received a voucher that I used to book directly on the hotel’s website.
Photo Credit: Groupon Getaways – Groupon.com
The Robin Hood Village Resort is located in Union, a small town I’ve yet to visit in my 40-something years here in Washington. It’s so remote that there are no local Groupon deals available for activities and events there. But that’s OK, we’ll be taking advantage of its proximity to Hood Canal and the free kayaks they offer and spending most of our time out among the trees. I hear there’s a waterfall nearby and maybe even a National Forest or two to visit.
Photo Credit: Groupon Getaways – Groupon.com
Plan It? Our Vacation Itinerary
Does it seem like I don’t have much planned and pinned down for #MyGrouponGetaway? Well, you’d be right. In my younger days, I researched trips ahead of time. Back in the days before the Internet that meant hanging out in bookstores reading their books and eating scones. I found it took the fun out of trips when scheduling everything because it left no time for spontaneous fun. Anti-planning means I have the basics in place like where we’re going to sleep and eat. Everything else we get to discover together. Sure, we don’t see and do everything a location has to offer, but we can always go back and it’s not like we’re being graded on the amount of sightseeing we pack into our itinerary. Once I adopted this Laissez-faire attitude toward scheduling vacations they have been much more pleasant!
Have you tried a Groupon Getaways deal yet? And are you a planner or anti-planner like me?
I need to book a getaway soon! I am looking into the northeast for summer. Maybe NYC!
Groupon had some great NYC getaways but they were covered in snow when we wanted to go 🙁 Hotels right in the core of Manhattan. Happy vacation planning!
This post was right on time! We’re going to Arizona next week!
Fabulous! Have a great time and don’t forget to look up Groupon Deals at your destination before you go!
I always see these on groupon and now i think i need to take advantage of them. Looks amazing!
Hi there, just had to stop by and say I love your photos of this place! I was rncraeshieg a little on it to see if the hubby and I should check it out next weekend and I think we definitely will Looking forward to bringing my camera! Your shots (and blog as well) are lovely
These look like such amazing experiences!
I never think about Groupon for vacations. Going to check them out now 🙂
I love groupon deals! I have to go and check these out.
Wow, those would be some amazing destination to get away to! I never thought to go to Groupon to help save on vacations before.
I love Groupon for so many different things.I use it to get some activities and places to eat when on trips.
I never thought to use Groupon for travel. I will check them out.
I love Groupon, but I have never tried any of their vacations, these look great
I think Groupon is great. I love that they do travel too, I didn’t realize that until recently.
Both of these places look beautiful. I would love to try Groupon for them.
Thanks Felissa! We LOVED Sedona and you’ll be seeing a lot of what we did there over the next few days and we’re really looking forward to Robin Hood.
I really love Groupon! It’s a great way to save money.
I’ve bought a lot of things through Groupon, but never a getaway. I’m not sure why I’ve hesitated. Maybe it’s time to save some money and get out of town!
We all start out with the deals 🙂 It’s time to get away!
I have always wondered about Groupon Getaways! Maybe now I will try one!!
I really need to look into Groupon Getaways-there are so many good deals!
A couple years ago, my husband and I were planning a trip to Savannah, GA for our anniversary. I found a great Groupon for a walking ghost tour and bought it for when we were down there. Sadly, I ended up with a bad gallbladder that required removal so the trip got canceled. I love checking Groupon in the area we are traveling to, when I remember. I need to get on it for our beach trip this summer!
Yikes, sorry about the bad gallbladder! It is nice when you find a discount on the activities you love for sure!
Oh I watch those Groupon getaways in my inbox and just dream. I love how impressive they all look… I just may grab one or two
It’s an easy way to take a trip for sure!
I’m usually a planner but I agree that sometimes it’s no fun to take the spontaneity out of it completely. I need to loosen up a bit more on my next trip!
I used to plan EVERY minute – you should have seen my Disneyland and Disney World itineraries. They were INSANE! The caused much more stress than they relieved for sure.
I love groupon!! I use it for everything i can!
I love the idea of using Groupon to book vacations. I’ve never done it before but I am definitely going to have to check them out for future getaways!
I adore Groupon. I have bought several good coupon deals from them.
I have never used Groupon to book a vacation, but I think I might have to start!
We always do a get away for our anniversary. I definitely need to check out groupon
I have never used Groupon Getaways but I get them in the email all the time. I wll have to look out for them when we travel next.
I so need to look into Groupons travel. I had no idea how much they offer, what great deals.
I’ve heard of Groupon but never actually utilize this service. It seems like great way to find great deals and of course save money
Oh my….the views are beautiful. We are in the process of planning our vacation and I’ve been tracking deals on Groupon.
It was INSANELY beautiful. We actually looked at a few houses for sale while we were there to see if moving there would be a possibility. Yes, we loved it that much!
It sounds like a great way to travel. I am going to have to look more into this.
It was fantastic – so easy to book hotel & activities and some even include airfare and rental cars!
I never thought about using Groupon to book travel. What a great idea.
I have several trips planned this year. I love Groupon to help me find that really cool activity or show.
I have just started perusing Groupon Getaways. They have such amazing deals, I can’t wait to plan a trip!
Have fun! I hope you find the perfect vacation for your family!
I really haven’t looked into Groupon all that much. It sounds like I need to!
I have used Groupon for lots of things, but never trips. There are some great deals though!
Sounds great i will be sure to check Groupon more. I never do, and I’m missing out it seems!
What exciting trips you have planned! Horseback riding in AZ sounds incredible!
I love using sites like Groupon and Living Social. They really do provide some fun and awesome deals.
We could definitely use a family getaway and I never even thought about checking Groupon. I will be sure to browse their offerings before making a decision!
As someone who writes a lot about travel these look worth checking out. I love that Groupon features local deals as well and that you can track them under your own “My reservations” tab.
I’ve never used Groupon for travel – I will definitely be checking this out. We have a few trips planned for 2015
I didn’t realize Groupon has getaways! I love Sedona and the renting a jeep for trail riding. It’s on our list of return vacation trips. I’m glad I stopped by today, thanks!
We plan on doing a jeep tour on our next trip, There was too much rain/snowed/cold during our trip to do an open jeep trip. There are several jeep companies available, but the offers change often. Definitely read the fine print to make sure they’re available when you go back. ENjoy!
Groupon has some great deals! I don’t use it enough!
I’m the biggest fan of Groupon! I’m constantly on it searching for great deals:) Looks like you had a great time! 🙂