The Wyland Waikiki Free Night Package

The Wyland Waikiki, whose 'hotiness' factor is a kinda big deal amongst the staid old Honolulu hotels, is now offering a 1 night free package. Rates from $205 for a city view room in 2008, and rates from $179 for a standard room in 2009. Rates are per room, per night, two persons sharing.

Stay 3 nights includes one night free. Valid for three-night increments (stay six nights includes two nights free, etc.). One category room upgrade on availability. Daily continental breakfast for two at KiMOBEAN Coffee Company. Valid through December 21, 2008 and January 5 - December 21, 2009. More details and online booking here.

There's a few more noteworthy packages listed there, including 'Hot Rates for Hot Dates', under which you pay $129 for a standard guest room and $179 for a one bedroom suite.

As for the hotel, the Wyland Waikiki is a boutique property located close to the beaches and Diamond Head Crater. There's a freshwater garden pool and spa, and a more decluded salt water pool. There's also a lounge in the lobby named the Wy-Bar, a Kimo Bean coffee bar which serves up freshly ground coffee, and an entertainment room with massage chairs and a gigantic 65-inch flat screen TV. Other amenities include a reading room, business center, a full service restaurant and spa services and massage treatments from Spa Pure.

Services offered include complimentary surf board storage, concierge services, complimentary high-speed internet access, coin-operated laundry, complimentary newspaper, daily housekeeping, valet parking (extra charges apply), laundry/dry cleaning, room service and a tour activities desk.

As for the accomodations, the hotel offers 403 guest rooms with private lanais, 88 one bedroom suites with kitchenettes and 2 penthouse suites. In-room amenities include a private lanai (that's like a balcony), flat screen HDTV, complimentary high speed internet, pillow top beds, mini refrigerator, coffee and tea maker, cable TV and pay-per-view/video games, a writing desk, air conditioning, blackout drapes, free local and long distance calls to mainland USA, Canada, and the neighbor islands, hair dryer, in-room safe, iron and board, kitchenette with microwave and wet bar, and full sized bath in all suites.

Info: 400 Royal Hawaiian Avenue Honolulu Hawaii 96815; (877) 995-2638; www.thewylandwaikikihotel.com/

Shop in Suite Style with Hotel Deca Seattle

There's something slightly aristocratic about shopping in Seattle. Its way different from the deadly bargain jostling or Millionaires' corners in NYC, where the focus is on shopping, period. In Seattle, a shopping experience is more of a leisurely stroll, to be enjoyed in the company of a friend, just stopping to check things of interest, enjoying a rest at neat restaurants and cafes.

Like I said, its more of an experience, and less about piling up a large bill on your credit card. Its part and parcel of all Seattle vacations, leisure or romantic or family or wine country or anything else. And the Hotel Deca is primed to let you indulge your shopaholic instincts with its Shop in Suite Style package.

Package includes junior suite accommodations, University village gift card valued at $100 (www.uvillage.com for a list of stores), Crabtree & Evelyn '60 Second Fix for Feet' gift basket with foot smoother and extreme foot therapy, complimentary shuttle to and from the University Village shopping center, continental breakfast for two, $10 Tully’s gift card (coffee for two), and martinis for two at the District Lounge. Rates from $289 (taxes extra). Click here for more details.

The junior suite that comes with the package has one king bed with sitting chair and a full-size sofa-bed, and offers stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and surrounding area. Recently reappointed with new furnishing, bedding and linens, upgraded lighting, 32 inch flat panel LCD TVs. DVD players, clock radios with iPod docking stations, in-room safes and complimentary WiFi access.

The Deca is a 16 story full service 158 room boutique hotel with an art deco exterior dating back to the 1930s, located in the University District. Renovated in early 2007, the hotel's Grand ballroom now has a new look and feel with a new coffered ceiling, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and upgraded audio/visual systems.

Info: 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE Seattle WA 98105; (800) 899-0251; www.hoteldeca.com/

$69 per Night at La Quinta Inn Sacramento

I think I've said this before, but needs repeating just the same. All Sacramento hotels which are more than a roadside dumpster offer free parking, huge rooms, complimentary breakfast and rates which hover just below $100 per night. If you ain't getting this (at least this), then you've been ripped off.

But La Quinta Inn Sacramento Downtown goes one step further. They're offering rates which are just about 2/3rd of the $100 bar. La Quinta offers rooms at $69 per night and suites for $109. And in case you're wondering, they do offer free parking, complimentary breakfast with fresh waffles, fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, cereals, muffins, juices, milk and coffee. And the 165 rooms and 3 suites are pretty large by any standard, and surprisingly well equipped, for a place which charges $69.

The deluxe room with one king bed is equipped with a coffee maker, hairdryer, and iron with ironing board, 25-inch TV with popular cable channels, work desk, free local calls, free high speed internet and voicemail. Additional amenities and services include meeting facilities, guest laundry facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and they also have an airport shuttle.

And anything you can think of to visit, including all the touristy things to do in Sacramento, like Old Sacramento, the Sacramento Zoo, the California State Railroad Museum and Discovery Park are all conviniently close at hand.

Info: 200 Jibboom St. Sacramento CA 95814; (916) 448-8100; Website

Rev It Up Gas Package at the Peacock Suites Anaheim

As far as Anaheim hotels are concerned, the Peacock Suites resort from Shell Hospitality can hardly be labeled as the ultimate in holiday luxury. What it does offer is a cheap, clean and spacious 1-bedroom suites located in the heart of the Anaheim resort area, triangulating the Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center and Knotts Berry Farm.

What's more, they have a free shuttle service to and from the Disneyland Resort, free continental breakfast and a friendly staff, so what you have in the Peacock Suites is one of the most decent family hotels in Anaheim.

To top that off, they're offering a 'Rev it up Gas' package where you get a $25 gas rebate card if you stay for at least two nights. Valid until 9th Oct 2008. More details and online booking here.

In addition to the 139 one bedroom suites, shuttle service and the continental breakfast, the Peacock Suites offers fitness and business centers, high speed internet, a newly renovated pool, two whirlpool spas, a private rooftop sundeck, gift shop, valet parking ($8 per day), laundry and overnight drycleaning, and car rental services.

The suites are each equipped with 1 King or 2 Queen beds, queen sofa bed in living room, air conditioning, dining room with table, CD and DVD players, refrigerator, microwave, complimentary coffee and tea, hair dryer, 2 televisions (one flat screen) with cable, and iron and ironing board.

As it is, Anaheim vacations, especially for family travelers, costs a pretty packet, what with the tickets and airfare and food and shopping and stuff. The final nail is hammered in by hotel prices at the big chain resorts topping the charts at $300 to $400 per night, for a family of 4.

The Peacock Suites, on the other hand, has rates from $99 onwards. That's per night per suite, for a family of 4, with 2 adults and 2 children. Take out the pre-paid $25 gas rebate card, and you have a 2-day stay in Anaheim for about $175 in an all-suite resort with a pool and free shuttle and free breakfast and a rooftop sundeck. Which is not bad at all.

Info: 1745 South Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim CA 92805; (866) 729-7182; Website

Right on Target at the Delano Miami

Miami Spas, especially the ones on South Beach, and even more so the ones at the posh resorts, are all worth killing for. These are the best spa + resort combos in the nation we're talking about, all lined up on Collins Ave. Maybe its the proximity to the Atlantic, maybe its the weather, maybe its the spa, or maybe its a toxic mix of all these plus the wonderful things to do in Miami that make Collins Ave so popular for spa fans.

Be that as it may, one of these upscale watering holes happens to be the Delano, which houses the Agua Spa. And they're offering mutiple spa getaway packages, including one called the 'Right on Target'. Includes one complimentary Target Massage per night and 10% off all spa services. Accomoations in a 350 sq ft city view room with king bed, glass shower, CD and DVD players, plasma TV, high speed wireless internet and lots more (see below). Rates from $435. More details here.

The Delano has some unique architechture to boast of, with a lobby which manages to bridge the divide between indoors and outdoors, a lush orchard with a Quartz swimming pool and water salon, a private beach village, and of course, the Agua Spa, which is a rooftop spa with a solarium. Other amenities and services include in-room spa and massage services, a billiards area, an outdoors childrens' area, a beach bar and grill, a gift and magazine shop, 24 hour concierge services and room service, private catering and banquet services, a gym with state-of-the-art fitness and exercise equipment with private trainers, valet parking and an interactive multimedia room.

In-room amenities include King or Queen beds with down comforters, bathroom amenities by Korres, plasma television with cable, HBO, MTV, VH1, CNN and Sports Channel, VCR with library of over 1,500 films, a private telephone number for each room which connects directy from outside, a stocked refrigirator and daily turndown service.

Info: 1685 Collins Ave Miami Beach Florida 33139; (305) 672-2000; www.delano-hotel.com

Parking & Breakfast at the Hudson New York

What's the worst thing that you hate about New York vacations (other than snotty New Yorkers)? That would be the scandalous parking rates. Its quite fair to say that parking spots are more valuable than cars in NYC. With that in mind, the Hudson Hotel has introduced a 'Parking & Breakfast' package, which coupled with the hotel's excellent location close to Central Park and the theater district, makes it really easy to drive-thru an NYC trip.

Package includes a standard room 150 sq ft. with a queen bed, bath or shower with luxurious bath amenities by Agua , and high speed internet service. Free daily american breakfast buffet in cafe and overnight parking. Rates from $305. More details here.

Amenities and services at the hudson include the Hudson Cafe and a bar, a library, private park, and a sky terrace. There's also a 24 hour workout room, in room massage service, 24 hour concierge services, and extensive banquet and catering services.

The rooms and suites are all equipped King or Queen beds with down comforters and 250 therad count white Egyptian cotton sheets, cable television with HBO, MTV, VH1, CNN, Sports Channel, and video on demand, and an in-room safe.

The rates are a wee bit on the higher side, as compared to other New York hotels, but the Hudson does offer a fair bit of laid back luxury, and its located in a much more decent place than the usual mayhem-ridden tourist traps around Times Square.

Info: 356 West 58th Street New York, New York 10019; (212) 554-6000; www.hudsonhotel.com/