Discussions

Where would be the most cost effective place to stay and leave a vehicle? We need to over night one night before we go and when we come back, and would like to leave our vehicle at a reasonably priced hotel rather than pay parking at the airport. Are there hotels that would allow that at no cost?  
Thanks in advance!

The Sandman lets you leave your car there for free and they provide a free shuttle to and from the airport. Rates are as low as $100 a night. We've also used comfort inn and suites just around the corner from the sandman. They do a stay and fly package which they give you taxi vouchers for. I can't rememr what we paid when we stayed there but I think it was more than the sandman

Basically all the hotels close to the airport do this at varying prices. They do charge more than a one night stay as you are keeping your vehicle on their property and offer you a shuttle to and from the airport. It is less expensive than paying for parking at the airport or parknfly but there is no security, though they do say they check on your vehicle. Depending on when you are going the rates will vary. You can look up online the rates or call the hotels close by as each time we have done this, the rates are different. We have done this at the Vic Inn, Hampton, Holiday Inn. Days Inn, Best Western etc are also in the area.

We did the Holiday Inn airport west. Did the stay and fly. Can park there up to 2 weeks I believe and they have a shuttle!

We did this at the Victoria Inn...pretty cheap (maybe $10/day, can't remember) and they put your vehicle in a locked compound...the only catch is there are no plug ins and coming home at midnight to -30 to a frozen vehicle is no fun. We did park n' fly indoor parking and will only do this from now on...picked up at the airport and driven inside where your vehicle is sitting nice and warm, look for discount coupons/codes online.

Sandman charged me 10 bucks a night and I heard that because of construction next door they are limiting parking.

Both the Sandman and the Vic do parking....but at the Sandman, you can pre-book a package built into the room price. The Vic is $15 per night, first come first served.  
 
Not sure of the price at the Sandman, but they've got free coffee and Nutrigrain bars, if that sways things.

I called the Sandman. To leave a vehicle there, it's $149 + tax for the room, and can leave the vehicle up to 14 nights (I think that's the max, we aren't gone that long). No discounts. When we return, the room is $86 + tax CAA rate.  
We usually do the 'valet and away' at the airport if we are going to be flying in and then driving back home right away. But it doesn't seem to make as much sense if we are booking a room at each end of the vacation and staying in Winnipeg.  
Thanks for all the suggestions!

We always stay at the Best Western in Wellington. Can get a room on hotels.com for under $100 and they charge $7/day for parking that also allows you to plug in. They also offer free transport to and from the airport.

They have two tiers...like one week and two? I agree it doesn't add up for short trips, but there's a sweet spot where price of airport parking and convenience make it worthwhile. The real question is: Does any place have affordable and covered parking?