DoubleTree Hotel Sacramento, California State Fair Package

The DoubleTree Hotel Sacramento is offering a special California State Fair package from $105 per night. Includes two adult tickets and transportation right upto the main gates of the State Fair. Valid until September 3rd 2008. For package details and online booking, click here.

The California State Fair this year will be held from August 15 to September 1, 2008. Info: 1600 Exposition Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95815; (916) 263-FAIR; www.bigfun.org/; Discount tickets purchased in advance - $8 adults, $6 seniors (62+), $5 children (5-12) and free for children (0-4). Tuesdays are 'Kids Days', and all kids aged 12 and below get free admission. Seniors can get $2 discounts on Fridays. Single vehicle parking - $8.

Most major Sacramento hotels will be packed to the rafters during the third and fourth weeks, so it might be advisable to book well in advance. So let's talk some more about the DoubleTree and the State Fair package. I tried to do a booking for the package, rates for which are 'said' to be from $105, but the cheapest I could find, online, and for the State Fair Package, was $185 plus taxes for a single room with queen bed or beds. If you want a King bed, the cost goes up over $200. And for Sacramento, $200 plus taxes, even if you take out the $16 for the fair tickets, is pretty steep. At least $50 overpriced, if you consider that a hotel in Sacramento charges an average nightly rate of around $120 to $130.

I mean, you might as well get a cheaper room at another hotel and buy a couple of tickets to the State Fair with your own money. And if you have a car, the shuttle becomes redundant. So is the DoubleTree Sacramento worth it for the extra cash?

Well, you decide... The amenities they offer include a business center with meeting rooms and other necessities for business travelers, high chairs and cribs for families on vacation, and general amenities and services include a concierge desk and room service, coin laundry, gift shop and news stand, valet service, fitness center, pool and pool table. Dining facilities at the hotel include an Espresso Bar and the Cityside Cafe just off the lobby which whips up a sumptous breakfast buffet spread, along with the traditional fare for lunch and dinner. Free parking at the hotel's open parking lot.

The 448 guest rooms and suites are furnished with working desk and chair, hair dryers, iron and ironing board, coffee maker with coffee and tea, cable TV 21 channels, HBO and on-demand movies. Internet access in-room is available for an extra $9.95 per day, and most rooms have their own balcony. The Queen bed rooms, which offer the lowest rates with the State Fair package, each offer 5 jumbo hypo-allergenic down pillows, oversized chair and large desk with ergonomic chairs. A spacious bathroom is kitted out with Neutrogena bath products and cotton terry robes.

Info: 2001 Point West Way Sacramento CA 95815; (916) 929-8855; Website