You CAN Vacation on a Military Budget
Like many of you, my family loves to travel. I don’t have many hobbies, but perusing for our next spot to visit is near the top of my list. Spectacular travel resources is one of my favorite perks of being connected to the military (like a free National Park Pass!). Today we’re talking military-only resorts run by the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC). They can really help us vacation on a military budget.
If you’ve been around the military long enough, you’ve no doubt heard of these resorts and maybe even been to a few. If you’re newer, let me give you a quick run down of what they are.
There are four resorts dedicated to military members, their families, and DoD civilians run by the AFRC. The resorts are in spectacular locations. Often staying at a comparable resort in a similar location would cost you significantly more. At first glance they may not look like your typical “budget” vacation, but they’re a steal by any standard.
The Armed Forces Recreation Centers listed below offer great benefits at a fraction of the cost of nearby hotels and resorts (room rates are based on rank). Put these on your bucket list and get planning for your next get-away:
1. Dragon Hill Lodge, Seoul, South Korea
Dragon Hill Lodge is part of Yongsan Army Installation. It has restaurants with local cuisine and standard American fare and a health club that includes a hot tub, pool, and saunas. Families are welcomed and enjoy discounted meals for children, a huge playground, and family-friendly attractions. The Dragon Hill Lodge is in downtown Seoul with a short walk to access two major subway lines.
2. Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Located in the Bavarian Alps, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is ideal for incredible views, year-round activities, and cultural fun. Rooms vary from standard rooms, to suites, and even cabins. There are some pet-friendly options available, too. From snow sports, to hiking, biking, and white water rafting, the whole family will find something to enjoy. Activities even include tours to various castles and other major attractions in the area with a knowledgable guide. As with all AFRC resorts, a variety of dining options are available. You can enjoy the fitness center with spa treatments, pools, saunas, and steam rooms.
AWN Content Editor and Blogger, Sarah Peachey, has spent many weekends in Edelweiss when her family was stationed in Bavaria. She said the following about the resort:
“When living overseas, sometimes it’s nice to have the slice of America, so traveling to a resort where you get the homeland feel while surrounded by the beauty of Bavaria is a cool experience. We organized trips to go up Zugspitze (the highest peak in Germany), Neuschwanstein Castle, the Ettal Monastery, wandering the streets of Garmisch, and plenty of pool and playground time for the kids. Rooms are spacious and clean, and almost every balcony and window has a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains. If you’re in the area during Oktoberfest, Edelweiss sets up a shuttle to the fest grounds. It is so worth the time and money, especially if you’re traveling there from the states or have a larger family (many German hotels won’t allow more than four people to a room, which means purchasing two rooms and that gets expensive!). We loved to start our day with the breakfast buffet before heading out for whatever exploring. If you want to sample local cuisine, it’s only a short walk or drive from Edelwiess to any number of biergartens, as well as some delicious Italian restaurants (check out Collosseo)! Any time family or friends came to visit, we took them to Edelweiss to choose their preferred activities. Some would do the spas, others would sign up for tours, others would be happy to relax in the hot tub and stare at the view, and others wanted to hike the mountains.”
3. Shades of Green, Orlando, Florida
Shades of Green offers an iconic family vacation. This resort is located on the grounds of the Disney World Resort. One major advantage (beyond cost savings!) is the large room size compared to other Disney resorts. There are military discounts for admission to Disney theme parks, and you’ll enjoy easy access to the parks. Additional amenities include a fitness center, two pools and a hot tub, a playground, PX, a spa for kids, and access to nearby golf courses.
4. Hale Koa, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
My personal favorite: The Hale Koa on Fort DeRussy in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Hale Koa Hotel is a stunning resort located on the infamous Waikiki Beach. It is situated on 72 acres including pristine parks and gardens and easy access to the beach.
“Hawaii’s King Kamehameha III once considered these grounds his personal playground. For generations, we’ve nurtured this beautiful landscape with utmost respect for Hawaiian culture,” the website states. It is paradise!
Although the rooms we’ve stayed in over the years were dated, they’ve been comfortable and clean and you can’t beat the price for location. Quite frankly, we’re not there for the room; we’re there to explore! So for us, a comfortable, affordable room (relatively speaking) in an exceptional location is worth every penny!
On our last visit in November, the check in and out was a breeze. The open-air foyer is dreamy and well appointed. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink or relax a bit. While my husband checked in, my son and I bird-watched and tried to guess all of the plant varieties we could see.
If you’re planning to explore the island, a rental car is worth the investment. Parking for Hale Koa is nearby and was just $10 a day in downtown Honolulu (which is a steal!). It’s easiest to check in, drop off your bags, then head to the parking structure across the street.
Through the main lobby, you can step down the stairs or hop the elevator to a courtyard where you can access a PX, a barber and beauty shop, a little coffee shop (Java Cafe), and a restaurant that flows seamlessly from inside to patio dining.
We ate dinner at Bibas and they were very accommodating to our son’s multiple food allergies. Both of our adult meals were fantastic. We ate breakfast at the Happy’s Fast and Fresh—where they made us a fresh, hot breakfast. The portions were large and they cooked our son’s food to order so it was safe for him to eat. It was convenient, and I loved the employees who were friendly, helpful, and had a true Aloha spirit.
At the center of the courtyard stands the majestic Gus: a stunning Indian Banyan tree. It’s hard not to marvel at his greatness.
Exiting the courtyard down a beautifully landscaped path takes you through beautiful gardens, past pools (three total), a beach bar and snack shop (Barefoot Bar, Barefoot Snack Shack), and more.
One guest raved about the buffet at Koko at Kalia. We did not end up eating there (there are too many places to eat in Hawaii to get to them all!), but I’d consider it next time around after her rave reviews.
As we strolled down the path, plumeria in bloom floated on the breeze. I cannot make this stuff up. It was like living in a postcard.
Additional amenities include a fitness center and day spa, meeting rooms, local artisan craft fairs (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), and a Luau twice per week.
Two of our favorite nearby attractions include one of our favorite museums at Fort DeRussy and a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Don’t forget to escape the city and enjoy the rest of the island.
From my all time favorite beach at Bellows Air Force Station to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, Hawaii can be done on a budget with your military connection!
