Travel: Travel costs leveling, new options in Las Vegas

While the cost of business travel has been moving up over the last year, the good news is the cost of your vacation may remain about the same, according to a recent survey of business travelers.

Average food and lodging for a family of two adults and two children held steady at $213 per day. Lodging rates averaged $108 per night, down $2 from a year ago, while meals were up $2 to $105 per day.

This marks only the fourth time in 50 years and the third time in the last decade that composite food and lodging costs did not increase.

Make the most of it in Vegas

More than 100 check-ins a day are being registered at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino's new satellite facility at Las Vegas' McCarran Airport, said to be the first facility of its type at any U.S. airport.

"The reaction has been that it's wonderful, a real added value," said a spokeswoman for MGM, which opened the check-in facility in late April.

Guests of the MGM Grand can check in, register and receive their room keys while they wait for their luggage at the airport.

Other services at the airport registration facility include restaurant reservations and the chance to buy show tickets for either MGM Grand shows or New York-New York Hotel Casino events and shows.

MGM is also offering luggage transfer and shuttle service from the airport to either the hotel or New York-New York Hotel Casino events and shows for an additional charge.

Using the concierge

Few people know how to use a hotel concierge, and many are not aware of what a concierge can do for them. Consequently, many travelers miss out on using one of the best resources for making the most of their stay.

A hotel concierge can be of immeasurable help when it comes to taking care of details. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

concierge has a plethora of information. By making a quick visit to the hotel concierge, you'll find out what's going on, and you'll get directions on how to get there, as well as a phone number to call for more information, a map of the area, restaurants nearby, transportation options and more.

the network. Be aware that concierges at different hotels work with each other to find answers to every guest's question.

In fact, many regions in the United States have set up networking associations for concierges (such as the Northern California Concierge Association).

In one visit to the concierge, you can have dinner reservations made, get tickets to the ball game, theater or symphony, and have a morning tee time at the golf course reserved in your name.

Diet cruising

While many travelers forget their diets on vacation, others use their time away to start new and healthy habits.

If you are committed to eating healthy and light, you may want to take a cruise.

Yes, the same cruises that offer endless buffets and the midnight dessert extravaganza also offer some of the healthiest cuisine in the travel industry.

Most major cruise lines offer light selections at every meal and include calorie, fat and protein content right on the menu. Many ships also offer nutrition classes and counseling on how to continue eating healthy at home.

Most new ships feature state-of-the-art fitness centers that rival what you will find in port. Fitness classes and personal training are also available. If you are looking for a breakthrough in fitness, you just might want to take to the sea. Just steer clear of the titanic buffets.

(Marvin McDaniel, CTC, is president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel/Carlson Travel Network.)