Members of the armed forces, their families and other members of the total defense force can stay in any of five Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resorts around the world. Operated by the U.S. Army and, in one case, the U.S. Navy, AFRC resorts offer affordable morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) facilities at ideal vacation destinations. The resorts are fully funded by revenues generated by their operations.

Your choices include the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii and the Shades of Green Hotel at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Feel like taking in Europe? Check out the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany. If the Far East intrigues you, try the Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, Korea or the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo.

Reservations for AFRC resorts can be made online or by calling the reservation desk. Rates are based on pay grade and travel status. Reservation policies vary slightly by location, so be sure to check the Web site for your destination of choice. Generally, room reservations will not be accepted more than a year in advance of departure date. To ensure equitable use of the hotel, guests may not stay more than 30 consecutive days or register again within the following 90–day period.

Let's take a virtual tour of the AFRC resorts.

The Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki

The hotel’s two towers have 817 guest rooms, The Point fitness center, a military exchange store, a beauty⁄barber salon, a sundry store, a banquet room, three restaurants, a coffee cart, several shops, a video arcade and a tour and travel center. It also features tennis, racquet and handball courts, three pools, a pool bar, a hot tub, three snack bars, a jogging trail, a playground, a sand volleyball court and picnic areas.

In addition to Biba’s Bar and the Warriors Lounge, available evening entertainment includes the Hale Koa Luau and Tamas Polynesian Revue.

The Dragon Hill Lodgein Seoul

The Dragon Hill Lodge, located at Yongsan South Post. Enjoy the dining atmosphere of Sables, or contemporary American fare at the Green Street restaurant. For a taste of Mexican, try the Oasis restaurant. Nightly buffets are served on the Mezzanine. Or there's the Deli or Primo's pizza and pasta bar. The Dragon Hill also features a video game room for children, an adult game room and three lounges. The Point fitness center offers a workout room, aerobics room, locker rooms, dry sauna and indoor swimming pool.

The Dragon Hill has agreements with local tour agencies to arrange sightseeing. Within walking distance are the Moyer Recreation Center and the Itaewon shopping district, one of the largest in the area.

The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the foot of Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitz. The resort offers a fully equipped campground, complete with camp store, private rooms with baths, restaurants, and lounges.

Garmisch, home of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games, has many festivals and winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. In the summer, the resort offers a nine-hole golf course, kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking and hiking. Tours are available to many local sites, such as Munich and King Ludwig’s fairy tale castle and Neuschwanstein.

The Shades of Green Resortat Disney World

The Shades of Green Resort is actually on the grounds of the Disney World Complex, in Orlando, Fla. The resort features a nine-hole executive and two 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts, pools, a play area, a fitness room, a gift shop and video arcade. Discounted tickets to area attractions are available. A free shuttle runs to Disney's Transportation and Ticket Center. The renovated resort offers 587 guestrooms, five restaurants, lounges and banquet facilities.

The New Sanno Hotel, Tokyo

Want an American-style MWR oasis in downtown Tokyo at a reasonable price? You have only one choice. With 149 luxurious rooms situated in the heart of the world’s most expensive city, the New Sanno offers six different restaurants and cafÈs, and features the best Sunday brunch in the Pacific. There is a Swimming Pool Complex located on the second floor, with a heated swimming pool, sun deck, jacuzzi, children's pool and his and her saunas and showers. There is also a fitness center and several different shops including a Navy Exchange.

What are you waiting for?

Now that you know what AFRC offers and how you, too, can vacation in luxury, start planning your trip. Chances are the MWR or Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) facility at your destination will have recreational equipment available at a nominal rental fee.

If your schedule is flexible, consider getting there via Space A travel.

So why are you still sitting in front of your computer? Get going – your luxury vacation is waiting for you.