Halloween In Hershey

As it is, Hershey Park is one of those kiddie dream theme parks which is a cross between Chocolat and Neverland. And when its time for a costume-themed holiday fest like Halloween, well... Let's just say that the folks at Hershey go nuts.

The Hotel Hershey, which ranks up alongside the Nick in Orlando, as far as family hotels are concerned, is offering a holiday season package for Halloween. Includes deluxe accommodations, admission to HersheyPark in the Dark, breakfast with Hershey characters, complimentarty shuttle to HersheyPark in the Dark, and admission to Hershey Gardens.

Package rates per night from $419 for single, $478 for double, and $59 extra for kids aged 9-17 and $50 extra for children from age 3-8. Rates based on double occupancy and includes tax. Valid for weekend stays bookending 24th Oct and 1st Nov 2008. More details and online booking here.

I tried to do a package booking, and the displayed rate was $517.60, for both the double/double and a Queen bed rooms. The 230 guest rooms and suites, not to mention the hallways, are adorned with original artwork and historic photos. As is to be expected for a town whose claim to fame is the chocolate it produces, the Hotel Hershey is kindof like a dream house, with a streak of sweetness and chocolate running through most everything.

Info: 100 Hotel Road Hershey PA 17033; (717) 533-2171; www.thehotelhershey.com/

Sunday Brunch Cruise with Homewood Suites Del Mar

San Diego is home to a dazzling array of hotels and lodging options, both good and bad. And ugly. :) So when it comes to specials and packages, each of them has to go the extra mile to stand up above the crowd. And the Homewood Suites Del Mar does stand tall, with a Sunday Cruise brunch package.

Includes 1 night accommodations, 2 sunday brunch cruise tickets for adults, buffet-style Brunch, mimosas, champagne and chocolate fountain. Standard rates from $184. For package rates (varies based on holidays) and reservations here or call (858) 523-0500.

The hotel offers two room suites with separate living and sleeping areas, a fully-equipped kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker, and 27" television with cable TV and complimentary HBO, and free local calls. Complimentary hot breakfast every day and evening Manager's reception Monday through Thursday.

Info: 11025 Vista Sorrento Parkway San Diego CA 92130; (858) 523-0500; Website

MoMA Special at the Buckingham Hotel NYC

The Buckingham Hotel in midtown Manhattan may not be as opulent as its namesake in the U.K., but its more than luxurious enough for the common NYC trash who move around in cadillacs investing gazillions of dollars on Wall Street and downing martinis at swanky restaurants in snooty New York hotels. So if you want a slice of the Big Apple, and you want it in style, you aren't going to get any better than the Buckingham.

And they have some neat specials too. If you're interested in museums and art and stuff, one of the specials happens to the Museum of Modern Art (www.moma.org/) special. Includes a deluxe suite and two VIP tickets to the Museum of Modern Art. Valid until October 31st, 2008. Rates starting from $339 per night with a minimum 2 night stay required. The musuem is closed on Tuesdays, so you might want to leave Tuesdays out of your trip plan. Online booking and more details about this package here.

MoMA is just a short stroll away from the hotel, and after having been given a complete facelift by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the new 630,000-square-foot Museum has nearly twice the capacity as before. The result, in the architect's own words, is "an ideal environment for art and people [created] through the imaginative and disciplined use of light, materials, and space."

Other specials at the Buckingham include a Central Park Zoo package, an Earth and Space package which includes a visit to the American Museum of Natural History and its Hayden Planetarium.

I'm not saying that these offers are something very special - After all, you could just buy tickets to all these places, and book yourself in at one of NYC's cheap hotels - but there's something to be said about visiting New York in style. You know, the red carpet treatment, limos and butlers and never having to hail a cab... You want to be treated like royalty, then the Buckinghan's the place to be at. And the rates aren't so outlandish either. $339 (which includes the tickets) is just a wee bit over the $250 something that you'd end up paying at other (less luxurious) hotels just for the room (not suite).

Info: 101 West 57th Street at 6th Avenue New York City; (888) 511-1900; http://buckinghamhotel.com/

Great Things Come in Small Packages at the Mosaic Beverly Hills

Yesterday, I wrote about how a free car and parking helps you when you book into one of these Los Angeles hotels. Today, I have another, and even better, car & parking package. Book a room at the Mosaic Hotel and drive a Mini Cooper S or a new 2008 c300 Mercedes each day of your stay. Includes complimentary pickup from baggage claim at LAX, or if you prefer they'll have your car waiting when you arrive at the Mosaic Hotel.

Includes free parking ($25 value). And if you turn up at the hotel in a Totota Prius, they'll top up the tank for you. Rates starting at $400 for the deluxe guestroom, and $420 for the luxury corner room. Book your reservation online and call to make your car arrangements with the hotel at (310) 278-0303.

The Mosaic isn't like the usual monstrosity hotels you find in LA with hundreds of rooms and a tower like building. Its a cozy and intimate experience, with the 49 rooms and suites and the rest of the hotel blending into a seamless tapestry of design and artworks which makes the whole place look like a stylish and luxurious setting in a movie set.

Amenities includes a restaurant & bar, a heated pool with wireless internet, one of the best spas in Los Angeles, and fitness and business centers. The rooms are all equipped with oversize workdesks, eye-level laptop connections and free high speed internet, in addition to a feather bed, goose down conforters, windows opening out into the garden courtyard, well stocked minibar, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron & ironing board and free morning newspaper delivery.

Info: 125 Spalding Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90212; (310) 278-0303; www.mosaichotel.com/

Room With a Vroom from the Inn at Venice Beach

I'm getting a wee bit addicted to these catchy titles. Not that its a big deal, but just goes to show how you can market hotels using catchy titles for specials and packages. I mean, goofs like me pick it up, and write about it, and other people read it, and the hotel gets the media exposure.

What I'm babbling about is the 'Room With a Vroom' special from the Inn at Venice Beach. Includes a traditional room with 1 Queen Bed, a mid-size car rental with unlimited miles for 1 day, and complimentary parking for the duration of your stay. Costs $244 per night. The room comes with coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Complimentary continental breakfast served in the courtyard. More details about this and other specials from the Inn at Venice Beach here.

Other than the sexy title, the reason I'm attracted to the package is because Los Angeles is not a place where the sprawled out things to do on vacation can be seen or visited without some wheels. And $244 is not bad for digs a few blocks from the Venice Beach boardwalk, with a free car, free parking and a complimentary breakfast to boot - with baked goods, fresh fruits and juices, and a choice selection of coffees and teas. And with the price of gas so high, the free car is like getting a gas rebate card, in addition to being more convinient than public transit.

Additional amenities offered include complimentary wireless internet, private balcony, in-room safe, bathrobes, and a refrigirator.

Info: 327 Washington Blvd. Venice CA 90291; (310) 821-2557; www.innatvenicebeach.com/

The Art of Being a Kid, by Seattle's Alexis Hotel

No, this isn't some self-help book for grown-ups who want to find their inner kid. This is a Seattle vacations package from the Alexis hotel. The Alexis, being a Kimpton, is extremely kid-friendly anyway, and is one of Seattle's better known family hotels. What this package does is add to the family fun with 2 passes to the newly remodeled Seattle Aquarium, S'mores prepared in-house delivered to your room, the Kimpton Kids pack with watercolor paints, and 1 hour of in-room Nintendo.

For a family of four, with 2 adults and 2 children, daily rates for this package start from $327 for the Two Queen Deluxe room with 2 Queen beds, and $427 for an executive Suite with 1 King bed and a sofa bed.

The hotel was renovated less than a year ago, and the rooms and suites are as good as new. Each room features 300-count Frette linens, feather duvets, a 32” flat panel LCD TV, fully stocked honor bar, Torrefazione coffee, ergonomic Kielhauer work chair and desk, movies & Nintendo on-demand, terry bathrobes, and Aveda bath products, some including a balcony, and offer city views. All rooms feature an iron & board, are non smoking, and include complimentary wireless internet throughout.

In addition to the Etherea Salon & Spa, the Alexis offers a 24 hour fitness facility, private steam room, business center, shopping boutiques on the hotel's main level, concierge services and room service, and valet parking ($30).

Info: 1007 First Avenue Seattle WA 98104; (866) 356-8894; www.alexishotel.com/