Picking up stuff on the other side is often the best solution. I learned about that for my soda habit, I’m a Dr Pepper fiend and paying vending machine prices in the hotel can get scary quick. So I started going to grocery or even convenience store get my soda and put it in the fridge in the room. Then I realized I was going to the store anyway and started picking up other essentials. Anything that cuts down on packing is nice no matter how you’re traveling.
My husband and I have reached the point where we don’t want to check our bags. Logan Airport in Boston is the worst. We’ve waited close to an hour to retrieve bags. It’s not worth it.
We just spent a week in Fort Lauderdale with all our kids and grandkids and picked up everything on that end. The hotel gave every family a fridge and everyone stocked it with milk, juice and soft drinks. Saved a fortune. There’s no need to spend alot of money for meals when there are 5 kids 6 and under.