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Great Travel Discounts for Military Families
Do you like to travel but don’t feel like you can afford a vacation – well I’ve got some news for you – there are amazing discounts for resorts and lodging just for the military in MWR facilities! In my 25 years as a military spouse, I didn’t know about all these great perks of your military member’s service. I took advantage of a few of these properties but I’m truly amazed at all the fantastic travel places there are at affordable rates, often adjusted for rank. There are 4 main resorts, but hundreds of other properties sprinkled around the world in amazing locations. Read on for more information and plan and book your lodging now!
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Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) Resorts - Discounted Travel for Military
The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Program with each branch of the military provides some discounted lodging in lots of amazing locations. The most popular (and fanciest resorts) are the four properties considered the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) Resorts. I’ve been blessed to stay at two of these properties. These offer discounted fares at premier destinations at a greatly reduced price and provide discounted food and other amenities. The AFRC resorts offer an array of affordable opportunities to service members and their families and patrons of the Total Defense Force. These properties are popular and usually are completely booked, so make your reservations in advance and reschedule if military life requires it. The locations of these properties are:
Seoul, Korea – Dragon Hill Lodge
The Dragon Hill lodge is located in the heart of downtown Seoul, Korea, and offers first-class ammenities and the perfect location to check out all the historical sites in Seoul.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany - Edelweiss Lodge and Resort
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort offers a picturesque mountain retreat with stunning alpine views and a cozy, rustic atmosphere. It provides guests with a range of outdoor activities and comfortable accommodations, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure.
Orlando, Florida at the Disney World Resort – Shades of Green
Shades of Green is located in the heart of Disney, right across the street from the Polynesian Resort. To read more about the benefits of staying at the Shades of Green, access this post.
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii – Hale Koa Hotel
 Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii is a beachfront property offering lush tropical gardens and direct access to pristine shores. The resort provides a serene, family-friendly environment with diverse amenities and cultural activities for an enriching Hawaiian experience.
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Eligible patrons for all of the AFRC properties include active duty, Guard, and Reserve Military personnel and their families and retirees and veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart of Medal of Honor.
For more information on the AFRC resorts, refer to the AFRC website.
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Morale Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Lodging Facilities - Discounted Travel for Military
In addition to the AFRC resorts, there are also other Military MWR lodging facilities throughout the US and the world. This is most often limited to lodging which can include cabins and houses but usually doesn’t include restaurants or resort facilities. The MWR facilities are often in beautiful locations near scenery or other recreational activities. These are an amazing deal and can offer Air B n B type accommodations without all the cost and fees. For a complete listing of MWR lodging facilities, check with the ITT office at your local base, however, here is information on several facilities.
Our family enjoyed a beachfront cabin in Massachusetts when we were stationed at Newport Naval Station, Newport, RI. The cabin views were amazingly beautiful and the unit was comfortable and incredibly affordable. I wish we would have taken advantage of more of these great facilities. Just like the AFRC resorts, these book in advance, so make your plans early.
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Seward Military Resort, Alaska
Barking Sands Beach Cottages in Kuai, Hawaii
Kilauea Military Camp, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, Hawaii (Oahu)
Okuma Beach, Okinawa, Japan
I was a military spouse for 25 years and now blog to help other military families embrace the lifestyle and their calling. To learn more about me read here.
I'm releasing a book for military spouses called Another Move, God? 30 Encouragements for Embracing Your Life as a Military Wife. Read more about the book and order your copy today.
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