Thursday, March 31, 2011

Joint Base Fort Lewis - McChord AFB Lodging

The recent merger of the Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base installations has had very little effect on the TDY Lodging situation in and around Lakewood and Tacoma, Washington.  Fort Lewis Army MWR lodging has always been available on post, and McChord AFB lodging has been available through the Air Force Inn temporary quarters program.  Our featured hotels and extended stays close to the joint base have always been available within the GSA per diem lodging rate and every property is individually owned and operated offering the widest selection of interim housing and short term accommodations...more than any other DoD lodging system for military and government travelers on TDY status.

The 2005 BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) affected many DoD installations nationwide including Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.  The two military installations were merged to consolidate logistics, funding, and operations to provide a cost savings to the annual Department of Defense budget.  The 2005 BRAC affected a large number of military installations which forced many of the Army posts and Air Force bases to merge and move many military and civilian government service jobs.


Our current listings in and around the joint base include Extended Stay America Hotels and the Crossland Studio Suites brand of short and long term accommodations.  They include a full kitchen and dining area and have a laundry facility among many other standard amenities.  If traveling to McChord AFB or Fort Lewis and in need of lodging while house hunting to rent or purchase a home, check out all of our McChord AFB Lodging options, or browse our Fort Lewis Lodging page for accommodations near the Army post.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Military BAH Housing Rates 2011 & 2012

What will the military BAH housing rates be in 2012?  That's the big question that over a million service men and women and their families would love to know.  There was a significant military BAH rate drop for 2011 based on many economic factors including the housing crisis and overall economy.  Military BAH rate increases are actually a good thing, and that's the purpose of this blog post.

BAH rates for military members in 2011 fell at almost every major DoD installation and many major cities.  For more information on the official DoD Military BAH Rates for 2011, check out our housing rates information page for PCS assignments and relocation nationwide.  Military Basic Housing Allowance rates have a direct impact on the local economy near many military installations.

A drop in BAH rates forces a drop in local rents, and restricts the service members ability to purchase homes; this effect was seen near many military installations following the drop in 2011 BAH rates.  A military BAH rate increase for 2012 could have a significant impact on many of the local cities and town near military installations where they depend on the nearby Army posts, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps bases to support the local economy.  The housing industry carries with it a lot of jobs including construction, maintenance, rental leasing, and real estate; Any BAH rate drop directly affects the housing employment.  Let's hope 2012 Military BAH rates increase for the benefit of our U.S. service members and the local economies that depend on a solid DoD Housing market.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Buckley Air Force Base Lodging

Buckley Air Force Base is one of the fastest growing bases in the U.S. Air Force with many projects currently underway at this installation in Denver, Colorado.  Although currently under construction, the Visitor Quarters/Temporary Lodging Facility does not have an estimated date of completion.  Once the Airmen's quarters are fully constructed, the Buckley AFB Lodging Air Force Inn will accommodate some of the transient personnel choosing to stay at base lodging at Buckley AFB.  Browse our Buckley AFB Lodging options off base including hotels and extended stays close to base. 


Buckley Air Force Base was founded during World War II when the city of Denver purchased land just east of the city and donated it to the Department of the Army to establish the base for economic improvement of the Denver area.  After the war, the installation became Buckley Air National Guard base which in 2000, was transferred the Air Force to officially become Buckley AFB.  Since becoming Buckley AFB, the installation has seen rapid growth and modernization including enlisted airmen's quarters, a commissary and base exchange, and Buckley AFB family housing.  The Colorado Army National Guard operates the Army Aviation Support Facility at Buckley AFB and manages many of the rotary wing aviation assets.


For short term hotels and interim housing near the base, TDY Lodging has a number of options including extended stays and corporate lodging accommodations within the 2011 government per diem lodging rates for official travel.

 

U.S. Southern Command Military Lodging and Hotels

United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Lodging is not available on base, so travelers to the joint operations base should seek lodging in nearby hotels or extended stays in Miami.  TDY Lodging has SOUTHCOM Miami Lodging and hotels at the per diem rate for short and long term assignments.  PCS lodging at our featured hotels is also available for travelers that are in need of temporary furnished quarters while house hunting or looking for an apartment or condo rental in Miami.  SOUTHCOM is one of the coveted assignments in Florida because it is a joint base, and offers many unique opportunities for military and government being assigned to the DoD installation.  Check out our Miami lodging whether on official travel or if looking for a military vacation rental option in southern Florida.

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) headquarters is based out of Miami and is a major command falling under the authority of the United States Department of Defense.  US SOUTHCOM is recognized as a joint command, and the base has over 1,200 military and civilians from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and other federal agencies.  SOUTHCOM directly supports military and humanitarian operations in Central and South America, and the Caribbean including Cuba.  The military mission of USSOUTHCOM also includes security of the Panama Canal and canal.

TDY Lodging at SOUTHCOM is now available through our featured extended stay hotels which have full kitchens and a dining area for additional space and comfort during long term assignments.  See all of our DoD Lodging options through our Defense lodging portal at TDYLodging.com.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Fort Sill Lodging & Housing

Government and military travelers to Fort Sill have a great temporary lodging option while on TDY orders or if awaiting housing on post.  TDY Lodging has a fully furnished housing provider in Lawton Oklahoma near the Army installation.  If traveling to the Army base for a school or if being assigned on PCS orders and in need of a fully furnished house rental to stay in while house hunting, check out our featured Fort Sill house rental listing, which is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath fully furnished house.  See all Fort Sill Lodging options.

The house is fully furnished with a full kitchen and an outside Bar-B-Que.  It features a wrap-around porch and has mountain and valley views, and is just minutes to the Ft Sill Army base.  Short term lease agreements are available for military officers going to school at Fort Sill.  The furnished house can accommodate up to 3 students, so bring yourself and 2 other military members for your stay.  The furnished house is set for wireless internet and phone, satellite TV, including Big Screen in living room, propane and electric heat/AC, two car garage with ample room for parking.  This house is located at the foot of the Fort Sill Apache Gate, and is specifically set up for Military Officers going to school at Ft Sill OK.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Featured TDY Housing Providers

TDY Lodging is pleased to feature several outstanding corporate housing providers based on the quality of their customer service and great accommodations.  Our featured locations for this blog include Fort Campbell, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Fort Huachuca.  The corporate housing offered by these providers is available at the per diem lodging rate for the local area, and their furnished properties include all utilities.  Best of all they all offer multiple TDY housing options for groups of travelers.

Our featured Fort Campbell Lodging is Horizon Corporate Housing in Clarksville, Tennessee which includes all utilities, cable and Internet service within the authorized government lodging rate.  Horizon Corporate Housing offers furnished condos, apartments, and house rentals for travelers to the Fort Campbell Army post.  Lodging on post can be limited, and for travelers on extended duty TDY orders, many furnished apartment options are available in Clarksville and the surrounding area.


TDY Stay offers Fort Huachuca housing options at the per diem rate for Sierra Vista.  Their furnished options include apartments and house rentals close to the Military Intelligence Army installation.  Browse all of their TDY Housing through their main website at TDYstay.com for more photos of their properties and the best rates whether traveling alone, with family, or wanting to share a house with classmates.  TDY Stay is one of the largest housing providers in Sierra Vista with over a dozen house rentals and more than 30 furnished apartment units available close to Fort Huachuca.

Travelers to MCB Camp Pendleton can find a handful of per diem rate furnished rentals through our Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Lodging page including our featured provider Better Vacation Rentals.  They feature furnished condos and house rentals in Oceanside and the surrounding area just minutes to the Marine Corps Base.  Why stay on base at Camp Pendleton when you can be blocks from the beach?  Check out all of our featured TDY housing rentals today.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Peterson AFB & Schriever AFB Lodging

Our newest locations to be added include Peterson Air Force Base Lodging and nearby Schriever AFB Lodging in Colorado Springs.  The two newest TDY locations add to more than 100 DoD installations featured on TDY Lodging at locations throughout the Continental United States (CONUS) and select locations overseas.  Air Force Inn lodging at Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB is limited, and many travelers may choose to stay in local hotels and extended stays in Colorado Springs, or in our featured corporate housing and apartments.  The addition of Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB serves as a complement to our currently featured government and military locations in Colorado Springs which include Fort Carson and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).

Peterson is the host installation for the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), as well as the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).  Aerospace operations formerly based out of Cheyenne Mountain which were conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) were recently relocated to Peterson Air Force Base.  Schriever Air Force Base is located only 10 miles east of Peterson AFB and Colorado Springs.  Schriever AFB serves the Department of Defense by providing space operations including warning, navigational, and communications satellites.

Browse our Peterson Air Force Base Lodging and nearby Schriever Air Force Base Lodging for official government or military travel to these DoD installations, or to Fort Carson and the US Air Force Academy.  Our lodging options in Colorado Springs are quickly expanding and include a wide variety of accommodations.  TDY Lodging offers hotels, furnished apartments, and corporate housing nationwide within the government per diem rate for official travel.

Friday, March 18, 2011

TDY Guide for Government Travel

Browse our TDY Guide for government and military travel at more than 100 major military installations and cities throughout the United States.  TDY Lodging has a wide range of short term accommodations including hotels, corporate housing, and furnished apartments.  Each property is independently owned and operated, and nightly or monthly rates often fall within the allotted travel rates.  Our company has served government travelers for over a decade offering the most comprehensive TDY guide and travel resources available.

Our TDY Guide includes information about each installation including lodging and nearby activities.  Each DoD installation featured on our site also includes a brief history of each military base, a summary of major units at each installation, and on or off-base lodging and housing options.  Let TDY Lodging guide you through the selection process of finding suitable relocation options for a government or corporate transfer.  We function as the premier TDY guide for government and military travel with many resources, information, and short term lodging options available.



TDY Lodging has hundreds of major hotel chains, corporate housing companies, and independently run lodging venues in our inventory.  We are committed to providing the government and military travel community the most extensive TDY guide for official travel at both CONUS and OCONUS locations.  Many of our lodging providers have years of experience in meeting the demands of short term clients within the government community and readily offer rates for PCS moves, TLA allowances, and Dislocation (DLA) allowances as authorized by the federal government.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Fort Stewart Lodging

Fort Stewart Army Lodging is available on post. Travelers wanting to stay in a local hotel or extended stay in Hinesville or Savannah, TDY Lodging has plenty of per diem lodging rate options available for military and government travelers.  Fort Stewart lodging at the MWR post lodging facility is a short term option for temporary duty travelers in transit, or military and government personnel being assigned to the base for equipment testing and training.

Fort Stewart is located near Savannah and is adjacent to Hunter Army Airfield, which is also home to the prestigious 1st Ranger Battalion, a unit which falls under Special Operations Command.  The Airborne Ranger unit is one of four battalions that make up the 75th Ranger Regiment (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the Ranger Support Battalion.  Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are located in a southern coastal location near the beach and the historic area surrounding downtown Savannah, Georgia.

For travelers looking to stay in Fort Stewart Lodging off post, be sure to browse our hotels and corporate housing options.  TDY Lodging features hotels and extended stays, furnished apartments, and corporate housing options for government and corporate travelers near major cities and DoD installations nationwide.  Check out our Fort Stewart hotels and short term housing options prior to your arrival and find, compare, and reserve the best government rate lodging options.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Fort Benning Army Lodging


Fort Benning has a long tradition of being the U.S. Army Infantry Center, and is home to a large number of Infantry Schools and units.  As one of the largest Army Installations, Fort Benning hosts Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training referred to as Infantry BCT and AIT, as well as many other courses including Airborne School, Ranger School, Sniper School, and the Captains Career Course.

Fort Benning Army Lodging through the Army MWR lodging program is available at Olsen Hall, although many travelers may choose to stay in off post lodging facilities in nearby Columbus, GA.  TDY Lodging offers a wide array of hotels and extended stays, as well as furnished apartments near Ft Benning as an alternative to the post lodging facilities.  Our newest addition is Independence Place Apartments in Columbus, GA which offers 2 and 4 bedroom furnished apartments for military travelers to the Army base.  Independence Place Apartments is located only 500 yards from the sand hill gate of Fort Benning.

The Fort Benning per diem lodging rate will often cover the nightly rate of hotels and extended stays in and around Columbus, including many of the furnished apartment complexes near post.  Travelers have many options when looking for temporary lodging near Ft Benning and our newest featured housing provider Independence Place has many amenities including a large swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness room, and computer center, making it the perfect extended stay lodging option near Fort Benning.  Browse all of our short term housing options and hotels near 100+ military installations nationwide.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Fort Leonard Wood Lodging

Government and military travelers to Fort Leonard Wood for Army training can stay in our hotels and extended stay accommodations within the per diem lodging rate.  TDY Lodging features a wide selection of military rate hotels whether traveling on a short term temporary duty assignment, or if on PCS orders and need a hotel or extended stay while house hunting.  We recently added Bell's Extended Stay in Saint Robert, Missouri near Fort Leonard Wood.

Bell's Extended Stay is a great alternative to a standard hotel or accommodations in the Fort Leonard Wood Army Lodging facility because they feature a separate bedroom area, a kitchen with full size appliances which include a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, and most units have washer/dryer in each unit. Amenities also include flat panel TV's, high speed internet, and linens and dishes are provided at no extra charge.  Best of all, Bell's Extended Stay is only one mile to the Ft Leonard Wood main gate.

Browse all of our Fort Leonard Wood Lodging options for travel to the Army post for Engineer, Chemical Corps, or the U.S. Army Military Police Schools.  TDY Lodging offers the widest range of lodging options near every major military installation.  Lodging options include hotels and extended stays, and when available we feature furnished apartments and corporate housing within the GSA per diem rate for official travel.  Whether traveling to Fort Leonard Wood or one of our many other installations, check out TDY Lodging today for the best selection of government and corporate lodging.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

DoD Lodging Reservations - New Hotels & Housing

DoD Lodging - More options than ever before.
Government and military travelers have more lodging options than ever before when being sent on assignment to any of the major DoD military installations.  Just in the last few years DoD travelers have seen an increase in the number of hotels and furnished housing options that have cropped up at an alarming pace, the main catalyst being the economy.  TDY Lodging provides thousands of per diem rate accommodations near 100+ military installations, and DoD Lodging Reservations for hotels and housing off base is available through the TDY Lodging website.

The Surge of Hotels near DoD Installations.
Prior to the economic downturn (when loan underwriters only required a pulse from the borrower) money was flowing in real estate investment trusts, many of which sought out new hotel construction as a viable return on investment; After all, everyone had money to spend on travel including hotel stays.  As the Defense Travel Budget soared while America was in the midst of two wars, building hotels and extended stays near DoD installations suddenly became a lucrative investment.  While DoD Lodging on military installations was in many cases dilapidated or had no availability, the void was filled by entrepreneurs looking to invest in hotels near military installations.  Case in point Sierra Vista Arizona, a small town of 50,000 situated near the Fort Huachuca Army post, saw the addition of 5 new hotels in one year.  Many of these hotels had been planned and funded prior to the economic collapse.

Furnished House Rentals for DoD Travelers.
Not only have DoD travelers benefited from new hotels near military installations, but they've also seen an influx of home owners who can't sell their house and decide to rent it out as a furnished house rental, hoping to bank a few dollars at the end of the month.  For government and military travelers on extended assignment orders, a furnished house or apartment is a great DoD lodging alternative to staying in base lodging or a hotel.  Fort Huachuca TDY Lodging providers like TDY Stay have had to compete with some of the many new hotels in Sierra Vista, not to mention all of the other TDY housing providers that pop up every month or two.

More DoD Lodging helps Service Members.
The bottom line, regardless of why DoD lodging providers got into the business in the first place, is that there are more short term lodging options available to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines than at any other time since DoD lodging was privatized.  Most service members would agree that they're more than happy to have a choice in the hotels and furnished apartments or house rentals.  Many DoD lodging options are certainly better than none at all.