European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 19, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel Europe. Pm Utar lodging no Charm but it s cheap by Chuck Roberts staff writer. They often Lack the Charm and Comfort of old style european hotels but military lodging facilities can More than make up for their Lack of amenities by offering prices starting As Low $8 a night. That s How much an enlisted service member or civilian equivalent would pay to stay at one of the 380 rooms at Ramstein lodging in Ramstein a Germany. Commonly referred to As military billets Ramstein lodging is an example of the Many military Quot hotels Quot available to military and civilian government employees. They Range in style from spartan furnishings with a Community bathroom Down the Hall to spacious suites with a breakfast Buffet. Stretching from the Dauphin Island recreation Complex in Alabama to the sea Pines Lodge at Camp Darby Italy there Are about 328 military installations throughout the world offering lodging facilities according to temporary military lodging around the world a Book giving useful nuts and bolts information about each facility. There Are about 230 installations in the United states that offer lodging. The overseas listing includes Australia Bermuda Greece Korea and Germany. Most of the overseas locations Are in Germany which includes the Little known bad sibling station among its 36 possibilities. Quot we re one of the Best kept secrets in Germany Quot said Nancy Van Hamme operations assistant at the lodging facility about 20 minutes from the austrian ski slopes and about 50 Miles from Salzburg Austria. The Cost for one of the 26 rooms is $50 a night for an id cardholder booking the room and $10 for an additional person. Bad sibling is about 45 minutes from Munich Germany which makes it an Ideal site to attend the annual oktoberfest held there Van Hamme said. These facilities  to anyone j possessing a . Government identification card. But it s often difficult to find a vacancy during the summer months or at installations crowded with people travelling on official duty. People on official status a those on temporary duty or being reassigned a have priority Over people travelling on vacation. But Many people travelling on orders use billeting during the week which increase the chances for space available travellers said Richard Van Elburg lodging program manager for Usa eur. At Rhein main a Germany there is a constant Stream of official travellers that makes space available travel difficult any time except in december. An alternative for those unable to stay at Rhein main would be ambassador arms hotel at nearby Frankfurt. The ambassador offers about 180 rooms at $30 a night and usually has a vacancy said reservation clerk Thomas Wahl. The Best time to find a room there is Winter Early Spring or late fall. If a room in t available the staff will help you find one on the Economy where prices Range from about 55 Marks about $35 to As much As 150 Marks about $100wahl said. But places such As the bad Kreuz Nach military Community Are slightly off the beaten path and a usually have rooms available for space available travellers according to a desk clerk the a. The Cost is $22 for the id card Holder and $10 for an additional person. Prices for military lodging Range from the $8 at Ramstein. To As much As $50 at the bavarian. 4 american hotel in Niernberg Germany. But that $50 also buys a perfect location across the Street from the train station and Only a Short walk to the old town. It also includes that Yummy breakfast Buffet. The Cost for a double room is $57.50, which also could sleep a third person on a rollaway cot for an extra $7. ,. In addition to saving Money staying at military hotels allows Access to such amenities As american Banks commissaries exchanges laundry facilities and familiar haunts such As Burger King. Places such As bad Kreuz Nach and bad sibling provide equipped kitchens. Military lodging facilities have become More user Friendly in recent years. Gone Are the Days of lining up in front of the reception desk at a designated hour each Day and hoping for a vacancy. It was out of the question for a person on leave to Call ahead and make a reservation by phone. But today places such As bad sibling allow space available travellers to make reservations As far As 90 Days in Advance. Space available travellers with a reservation can still be bumped by someone on official travel if there s a shortage of rooms however so you should always Call the Day before to confirm reservations Van Hamme said. Phone numbers and Othor information that can save lots of Elmo and hassle Are available in temporary military Long around the world which Cost about $11 at stars and str pos bookstores. Ise it oui await. A Complete Hovel a pestilence a tour guides Large format guides designed for the Independent Motorist. Each contains 25 to 30 Tours Complete with full color route ii a a a must see Quot sights color photographs. Tapping easy directions and be sights in Rouk. Over 60 new a essential explorers Brand new series designed to suit the needs of today a traveller. Nearly 300 pages of Lively fact filled honest writing Superb mapping and innovative design. In Piorek Germany France a Yarr Portugal Venice available at most my my. Kick daa Baedeker travel guides comprehensive City country and regional guides from the renowned name in travel publishing. All Are rewritten and updated. New titles and editions. Packed full of information and colourfully illustrated stars and stripes pm bookstores throughout. From a publishing 40 travel Europe May 19, 1993 a a d advertisement