Uptowner Package from the Wilshire Grand LA

The Wilshire Grand may not be the finest of downtown Los Angeles hotels, or as swanky and hip as some of the hotels which dot the landscape in West Hollywood, but it is still a veritable institution. And its way cheaper than any comparable downtown digs. Plus, its location at the corner of 7th street and Figueroa is pitch perfect for a nice tour of all the things to do in Los Angeles. Just 4 blocks to the Los Angeles Convention Center, Staples Center, and Nokia Theater L.A. Live, and within walking distance of all the downtown attractions. If you want to go further afield to Hollywood or Universal Studios, the Metro is right across the street.

Even better, they have a host of specials and packages meant to maximize your pathetic tourist dollars. Take, for example, the Uptowner package which includes a deluxe room, buffet breakfast for two in the City Grill restaurant plus valet parking for rates from $170. Available on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Also available on Thursdays with a two-night minimum stay. Click here for more info and online booking.

FYI, the deluxe rooms that come with this package have views of downtown LA, with a sitting area, king size bed and bath in a spacious setting (up to 450 Sq. ft.). Amenities include complementary wireless internet access, writing desk, remote control TV with LodgeNet, multiline phones, clock radio, iron and board, makeup mirror, hair dryer and custom climate control.

In addition to the City Grill, the Wilshire has three other restaurants and two bars. Services and amenities include an espresso bar, 24-hour pool and a fitness center with jacuzzi, steam & sauna and even a boxing ring. There's also gift shops, boutiques, florists, salon, event ticketing agency, car rental, and a business center.

Info: 930 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90017; (213) 688-7777; www.wilshiregrand.com/

$99 for 3 nights at Golden Nugget Las Vegas

The Golden Nugget Las Vegas is offering a deal which very few Las Vegas hotels will be able to match. $99 for 3 nights Sunday-Thursday (H/T Jen Leo, LA Times). Book by Sept. 25 for travel Sept. 28–Oct. 30. There's lots more specials listed for the Golden Nugget, but this one is not. Seems you need to sign up for their email specials to receive this offer. You've got one day, so maybe you can still make it. Even if not, no harm in signing up, since they'll likely renew the offer in the near future, or maybe have an even better one.

I've already written about the Golden Nugget and the amenities and services they offer here, so no point in reprising all that here. Instead, let's focus on the various specials they have.

There's the 1 night free offer, if you're arriving September 28, 29 or 30. You book one night and get one free. Call 800-634-3454 to reserve your free night. Or you could take up the Super Summer Room offer, valid until Sept 30th, wherein you pay $59 per night (Sunday - Thursday) and receive a $25 Food & Beverage Credit and 2-for-1 Tickets to 'Defending the Caveman'.

If you miss out on the Sept deals, then the winter ones kick in. Book your stay between October 1 - December 28 2008, and you get rates from $59 per night (Sunday - Thursday) and you receive a Golden Values coupon book worth over $250 in resort discounts including 2 breakfast buffets for under $10 (+tax), 2 lunch buffets for under $11 (+tax), two free Drinks, $10 in free slot play, and $20 off Spa & Salon services.

There's also two suite specials, with the North Tower suite clocking in at $209 per night and the Spa Tower suite from $359 per night. Includes VIP check-in, nightly turn-down service, luxury bath amenities, and wet bar/refrigerator/coffee service.

Cheap hotels are a dime a dozen in Vegas, and so is their grandiosity (like the shark tank), but one thing I'd like to do is compare the amenities (in-room) that these cheapo rooms offer against hotels in other parts of the nation. I mean, most hotels in California would consider turn-down service and a wet bar and refrigirator and coffee machine to be routine stuff, available in all rooms. So what's so special about the suites at the Golden Nugget, that they charge 4 times as much as a room?

Info: 129 E. Fremont St. Las Vegas NV 89101; (800) 846-5336; www.goldennugget.com/

Pamper your Pet at the Larkspur Union Square

FYI, San Francisco has more than its fair share of pet friendly hotels. One of them happens to be the the Larkspur Union Square hotel, which is offering a 'Pamper your Pet' package. Includes a $25 gift card to Cheeko B San Francisco local pet boutique, a VIP welcome toy for your pet, and unlimited pet treats in the lobby daily. Rates from $239. Click here for more details and online booking. Use promo code PET.

Amenities and services include the BAR 1915 (named after the hotel's early 1900's history), complimentary wireless internet, a business center, gift shop, complimentary coffee in the morning and fresh baked cookies each evening, and infused water in the lobby (don't ask...).

The room you get for $239 is kitted out with the Larkspur signature featherBorne bed, LATHER bath and body amenities with bathrobes, LCD flat screen television, a coffeemaker with Starbucks coffee and tea, work desk, and iron/ironing board. The suites additonally offer a marble tiled bathroom (no marble for the common rifraff in the guest rooms), refrigirator, a sofa sleeper and an additional TV.

All this is a bit on the lighter side compared to other storied San Francisco hotels like the Sir Francis Drake, but its still eminently sufficient, if not luxurious. And it is located in Union Square.

Info: 524 Sutter Street San Francisco CA 94102; (415) 421-2865; www.cartwrighthotel.com/

Bubbles, Breakfast and Bed Package from the Intercontinental Chicago

Chicago hotels located along the Magnificent Mile aren't generally famed for being family (or couple) friendly, reasonable and luxurious all at the same time. But its not all bad. The Intercontinental Chicago, where luxury meets old-world splendor, is offering a pretty darn reasonable deal with their 'Bubbles, Breakfast and Bed' Package.

Includes overnight accommodations in a king or double/double guest room, chilled champagne and caviar upon arrival, champagne and chocolate tasting for two in Eno - the hotel’s wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room, with champagne tips from the hotel’s wine director,
champagne breakfast for two in Zest, including breakfast buffet and Mimosa’s, and complimentary valet parking. Rates from $250 per night per couple. Valid from December 30 2008 through February 29 2009. More details here.

The hotel offers a stunning 790 guest rooms and suites, all recently refurbished, with sweeping lake or city views. This tally includes 71 suites, 23 business class rooms and the Presidential Suite with two levels located on the 35th floor, overlooking the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a swanky staircase leading to the master bedroom, and 4 full baths.

All the standard rooms have Italian marble baths, high-speed internet, oversized desks,
television with pay-per-view movies and cable TV, mini bars, iron and ironing board, coffee makers with complimentary coffee and tea, hairdryer, vanity mirror, terry-cloth bathrobes,
complimentary daily newspaper and twice-daily maid service.

Amenities include a gift shop, fitness and business centers with over 40,000 sq ft of event and meeting space, a junior Olympic swimming pool, and 3 seperate restaurants and lounges. Services include a Concierge desk, room service, laundry and dry-cleaning, and personal trainers and masseurs.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the InterContinental is way more luxurious and opulent than any of the Bed and Breakfasts you'll find in the Loop or the Magnificent Mile, and considering the bubbly and the caviar and stuff, this is probably one of the most romantic hotels you'll find out in the Midwest. And $250 is A-ok considering that the hotel's front doors open out onto the Magnnificent Mile, and breakfast is included.

Info: 505 North Michigan Avenue Chicago IL 60611; (800) 628-2112; www.icchicagohotel.com/

$30.99 per night at the Fiesta Rancho Las Vegas

Historically speaking, rates at Las Vegas hotels have always been low as compared to hotels in other parts of the nation. That's probably because of the fact that Las Vegas uses hotel rooms as a means to an end. Simply put, they offer low rates to reel you in, and then allow you to lose the rest of your money at their casino.

And the Fiesta Rancho Casino & Hotel seems to have perfected this art of seducing prospective gamblers with cheap hotels, because they're offering rates from $30.99 per night. Located minutes from the Strip and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this 5 story 100 room hotel offers Double or King bedrooms with connecting rooms, pay-per-view movies, high speed internet, free local calls, an outdoor swimming pool, and valet & free covered parking, including parking for large vehicles and buses.

The double rooms can sleep four people and the King rooms can accomodate two. In room-amenities, other than those mentioned above, include hair dryers and iron & ironing board. They also have a food court, 4 restaurants, a gift shop, business center and an 'Ice Arena', in addition to the Arcade and slot machines at the Casino.

Info: 2400 N. Rancho Drive North Las Vegas NV 89130; (702) 631-7000 or (888) 899-7770; www.fiestarancholasvegas.com/

Bed & Breakfast at the Bristol San Diego

The Bristol hotel in San Diego, adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter, is offering a Bed and Breakfast getaway package at rates from $189 per night. Includes stay in a newly renovated deluxe room with a King bed, nightly turndown service, in-room movies, full American breakfast for two with two eggs any style, choice of bacon, ham or sausage, potatoes, toast, coffee and juice.

Extended late check out up to 2:00 pm. For more details or reservations, call (619) 232-6141 or visit their website.

The Bristol offers 102 newly renovated guest rooms. Amenities and services include complimentary wireless internet, in-room iPod/MP3 docking stations, LCD HD televisions with pay-per-view movies, in-room coffee maker, honor bar and laptop compatible safes, triple sheeted beds with down comforters, luxurious bathrobes, salon-style hair dryers, top of the line bath products, and same day dry-cleaning and laundry service.

Dining and room service taken care of by Daisy's Bistro serving California cuisine, and the adjacent Daisy's Bar, with its signature Crazi Dazi Martini. And considering the low rates relative to both Bed & Breakfasts and other San Diego hotels, the Bristol is surprisingly upscale in its decor and the facilities. The lobby has marble flooring and they even have a ballroom on the top floor which has a retractable roof.

Info: 1055 First Avenue San Diego CA 92101; (800) 662-4477 / (619) 232-6141; www.thebristolsandiego.com