Hyatt Travel Challenge Sweepstakes

How about a chance to win two nights and three days for two people before the end of the year at one of the most romantic hotels in California? All you have to do is enter yourself into the Hyatt Travel Challenge Sweepstakes.

If you win, you could be enjoying a Hyatt Retreats weekend getaway at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa with Ryan and Trista Sutter, the stars of ABC's hit reality show, The Bachelorette. What you need to do is pretty simple.

Ryan and Trista took the travel personality quiz, and now you have to do the same. If your If your answers make you a compatible travel match for Ryan and Trista, you'll be entered into the sweepstakes. You need to answer 12 questions about your personality. The results will categorize participants into four travel types - balanced, energetic, driven and romantic.

So you go to www.hyatttravelquiz.com/ and fill it in before Nov 7 2008. Prize includes 3 day/2 night stay for winner and 1 guest at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, with round-trip coach air transportation, standard hotel accommodations, ground transportation, the opportunity to meet Ryan & Trista, and an American Express branded prepaid card worth $1,000.

Halloween Horror Nights Package at Peabody Orlando

Not that there's any shortage of tricks or treats for Halloween at Orlando's famed theme parks, but its nice to have a complete experience. So if you book into a Halloween themed hotel or package, that rounds it up nicely.

To that end, the Peabody Orlando is offering a 'Halloween Horror Nights Package', which includes Two tickets to Universal Orlando's ® Halloween Horror Nights ®, one night accommodations at the Peabody, valet parking and VIP turndown service. Rates from $275 per night (taxes included). More details here.

Great! But then you say what happens if it turns out that the Peabody is one of these seedy tourist trap Orlando hotels which aim to suck in the dollars from innocent family travelers and then give them the shaft? Au Contraire - Its a frickin' luxury hotel. For starters its location near the Orange County Convention Center takes away a lot of transportation hassles. its just a short drive to short drive to Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Orlando. And 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

Secondly, the Peabody is one of only two Mobil Four-Star, AAA Four Diamond hotels in the entire city. That by itself carries a lot of weight. And then, the hotel has been in operation since 1986. That's before a lot of you punks were even born. The grandeur of the soaring marble halls, stately palm trees, cascading waterfalls, exotic orchids, and the priceless art and artifacts, all combine to create an impression of stately opulence. The Peabody Club occupies the top three floors, and is exclusively available by private access.

As for dining, the Peabody offers 3 of the finest restaurants in Orlando, including Capriccio Grill, Dux Restaurant and the Lobby/Mallards.

The deluxe rooms have King beds or two signature Double Peabody Dream Beds, and a spacious sitting area with an overstuffed chair and ottoman, along with a fully stocked service bar. You don't get all this at seedy hotels, so you can rest assured that you get value (in addition to having the bejezzus scared out of you for Halloween) for your $275.

Info: 9801 International Drive Orlando FL 32819; (407) 352-4000; www.peabodyorlando.com/

B&B Special at Doubletree Oceanpoint Resort Miami

Is there any Miami Beach hotels which do not have a spa? Don't answer, cause that's a rhetorical question. Just that I'd like to find a good spa on the oceanfront or Collins Ave which is nothing except for a spa.

Anyway, while searching for the lone ranger spa, I bumped into this resort+hotel+spa+B&B - The Doubletree Oceanpoint Resort & Spa, which is offering a 'Dream Deal' bed and breakfast package. Includes accomodations, breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children, and Hilton HHonors® - earn Points & Miles® for the same stay. Rates from $209 to $389, depending on your choice of room/suite. And you get a chocolate chip cookie greeting when you arrive. More details here.

Again, while its a pretty good deal for 4 people to stay and eat breakfast for $209 (plus taxes), the whole point is that it can hardly be labeled as the Miami experience. I mean, if you want a free breakfast, there are any number of nifty Bed and Breakfasts. If you want a spa, the standalone spas probably offer better and cheaper massages and treatments than the ones which are attached to hotels.

The Miami experience, as we call it, involves staying at an oceanview resort with a private beach where you can hobnob with the celebs, then you go shopping and sightseeing, maybe poke around Lincoln Road, check out the Miami Metro Zoo, Vizcaya Mansion and the gardens, and then maybe some physical and spiritual rejunevation at a high end spa. That's a Miami experience.

On the other hand, if you wanna save money, there are a lot of cheap hotels and B&B's where you pay the minimum (probably around $120 for the entire family, breakfast included), and then head for the public beaches and Jungle Island and stuff like that.

What that means is that the Oceanpoint Resort falls in between these options, which leaves you neither here nor there.

Info: 17375 Collins Avenue Miami Beach FL 33160; (866) 623-2678; www.oceanpointresort.com/

$95 for a Princess Suite in Brooklyn

Sometimes, you bump into something utterly unbelieveable, and its just too good to be true. Well, it usually is, but in this case, I'll leave the judgment to you. How about if I told you that Brooklyn hotels have started offering rooms with a kitchenette and private bath with Jacuzzi tub for $ 95.00 per night. Well, its true.

That's what the Princess Hotel in Downtown Brooklyn is offering. Located near the Brooklyn Courts, the Fulton Mall and the Subway Station, with Manhattan 3 stops (or 10 minutes) away, its a great deal. And it gets even better. They have single rooms from $80 per night. A slightly larger room, also with a private bath, costs $85. All prices include complimentary breakfasts and lunch buffetts.

And it gets still more better. All rooms have refrigirators and maid service is included. They will provide extra cots for children, if necessary. All said and done, what you have is a room for a family at $100, meals included. 10 minutes from Manhattan.

Do these kinds of cheap hotels even exist in New York? You tell me. Its all written here. Have to say, though that you should exercise some caution before paying for it.

On the plus side, there is no online reservation system, so you have to see it in person, if you want to book in. If you're in New York, see it, and if its all that it claims to be, and as cheap as they say it is, then you pay for it.

Info: 211 Schermerhorn Street Brooklyn NY 11201; (718) 596-4179; www.princehotelgroup.com/

$1,000 Cash Promo at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel

I'm so fed up of writing about hotels which you can see from Times Square that I thought I'd try one from Upstate NY for a change. After stuyding the pros and cons of various scenic spots and locations, decided to home in on some Niagara Falls hotels.

Would be refereshing change from the urban decadence of the City. Or so you hope. First hotel I see on TripAdvisor happens to the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. And they're offering a $1000 cash prize which you can win. It's called 'Risky Business', and you have a chance to win it every hour on every Wednesday & Thursday from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., until Oct 23 2008. More details here.

Each hour between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. a lucky Seneca Players Club member will be chosen to receive $250 Seneca Slot Dollars. But that is not all. The chosen winner then has the opportunity to risk that $250 for a chance at $400 or $500 Seneca Slot Dollars or $750 or $1,000 cash! But, choose carefully, for you may risk that $250 and get a lower prize amount.

These Seneca guys sure know how to make a gambler out of an honest God fearing Christian. That's because its an Indian casino, run by the Seneca Nation of Indians.

As for the hotel, its the largest luxury htel in Western New York, with 26 levels of luxury spread across 486 deluxe rooms, 86 corner suites and 22 one-bedroom suites. All guest rooms and suites have breathtaking views and are kitted out with a pillow-top bed, oversized shower, flat screen TV, internet access and more.

There's a full service spa with 12 treatment rooms which offers Swedish massages, aromatherapy, full body wrap and facials. There's also a well equipped fitness center alongwith an indoor pool and whirlpools. For banquets, events, meetings and conferences, the hotel ofers up 30,000 sq ft of space and the Seneca Events Center with a capacity to hold 2,200. The business center is well equipped with the latest A/V aids and other electronic equipment.

Best of all, its location just blocks away from Niagara Falls means that you can virtually smelll the water, hear the roar and feel the mist from your hotel room window. Ad its not just about a tall body of water. There's plenty of shopping to be done, with a 150 brand outlets at the Fashion Outlets, along with art galleries and quaint antique shops.

Info: 310 Fourth Street Niagara Falls NY 14303; (716) 299-1100; www.senecaniagaracasino.com/

Railroad Museum Package at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza Sacramento

I never get tired of saying that never look twice at Sacramento hotels which don't offer large rooms for around $100 per night, free parking and complimentary breakfast. The Holiday Inn Coapitol Plaza offers all this and more. And they have a Railroad Museum package special, which includes admission to the California State Railroad Museum for two adults, four tickets to ride on the museum train, as well as overnight accommodations and breakfast for two adults (kids eat free). Rates from $154 on weekends and $199 on weekdays. More details and booking here.

Factor in the cost of two tickets to the Railroad Museum, the perfect location of the hotel, the many and varid luxuries and amenities offered, and you can say that its well worth spending your Sacramento vacations at the Holiday Inn.

Amenities and services offered include the Cyprus Grille restaurant, concierge lounge, gift shop, fitness center, outdoor pool, sundeck, and a full service business center. teh hotel also offers valet, dry cleaning and laundry services.

The guest rooms are spacious, with equally large pillowtop bedding, cable television, coffee/tea maker, high speed internet, free morning newspaper, and iron and ironing board. If you upgrade to the concierge floor, you get robes, upgraded bath amenities and access to the Concierge Lounge’s flat screen TV, business center and full city views.

Info: 300 J Street Sacramento, California 95814; (916) 446-0100; www.sacramentohi.com/

Tech Package at DeAnza San Jose

No place better suited to help you understand how technology has invaded every aspect of your daily life, and just what makes Silicon Valley such a hotbed of innovation and entrepreunership, than the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. And the Hotel DeAnza is offering a 'tech package' which includes two combination exhibit/IMAX tickets to The Tech, along with accomodations. Rates from $179. More details here.


Now normally I'd prefer one of the more upscale San Jose hotels, like the Valencia, but if you're looking to take a tour of the Tech Museum, then the DeAnza is just a short stroll away. And its not like the hotel is a dump. Its got a bucketload of modern amenities, which contrasts neatly with the classic architecture. There's one restaurant, a cafe, a lounge and a special buffett breakfast room.

The hotel offers 100 guest rooms, including 3 junior suites, 5 parlor suites and a penthouse which occupies the entire 10th floor. The rooms are neat and clean and spacious, with ornate wooden furnishings, shuttered blinds on large windows allow the rooms to be airy and bright, a workdesk and chair, along with a small coffee table with cushioned chairs all neatly arranged to maximize space gives the room a perfection like everything is in the right place. Its something which you rarely get to see in hotel rooms where things are crammed into as small a place as possible.

Info: 233 West Santa Clara Street San Jose CA 95113p; (408) 286-1000; www.hoteldeanza.com/

Drive-in Parking & Breakfast at Gramercy Park New York

Want to zoom around NYC in a complimentary Merc? The Gramercy Park hotel, an institution whose Haute Bohemian heritage has been plugged into a modernistic lifestyle by Ian Schrager, is offering a 'Drive in Parking and Breakfast' package. Includes luxurious overnight accommodations in your choice of room category, complimentary overnight parking, complimentary use of hotel Mercedes during your stay, complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, and a full American breakfast daily (including tax and gratuity). Rates from $805. More details about this and other specials at the Gramercy Park here.

It would be a mistake to try to describe all the amenities the hotel provides, as that could spread across several pages. I'll just round it up in brief. There's a Chinese restaurant (Wakiya), and two bars (Jade and Rose), a private rooftop club which has another bar, Aerospace fitness center, Aerospa, meeting, conference and event facilities, 24 hour concierge and room service, wi-fi access, and best of all - A private key to Gramercy Park. If you're wondering what that's about, Gramercy Park is a private park with access restricted to residents of the neighbourhood. You can't just walk into the park. Everybody has their own key.

As for accomodations, the hotel offers 185 guest rooms, 6 custom Gramercy suites and there's also the inescapable penthouse suite, without which New York hotels would be incomplete. The rooms offer views of Gramercy Park, Lexington Avenue or the Courtyard. Each room features King, Queen or double bedded rooms with down comforters, pillows and feather beds, 400 thread count Italian linens, every single room has a distinct design, with original handmade furniture made by artists from across the world, imported rugs, custom light fixtures, a mahogany wood bathroom with oversized soaking tub or shower, Extra-large flat screen LCD TVs with full cable access, Video on-demand with entertainment center featuring compact disc player/ DVD and specially programmed iPod and docking station, in-room safe, stocked in-room refrigirator, newspaper of your choice delivered to the door, and full turndown service.

And this is just scratching the surface. Like I said, the Gramercy Park hotel is an institution, not just a place to crash. Think luxury New York vacations. You go there if you're on a honeymoon, or if you're in town to complete shooting a scene for your latest movie, or if you don't know how many billions of $$ you have in your name.

Info: 2 Lexington Avenue New York NY 10010; (212) 920-3300; www.gramercyparkhotel.com/

Romance in the Air at the Kyoto Grand Los Angeles

One would assume that there's nothing much in the air in Los Angeles other than pestilence of the thick smog, but not so it seems. The Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens claims there's Romance in the air. And to that end, they have a special offer by the same name - 'Romance is the Air'.

Includes executive room with King bed (or suite upgrade if available), strawberries served with whipped cream, brown sugar, chocolate sauce and confectioner’s sugar, and champagne delivered to your room following check-in, full American breakfast in bed for two delivered by room service, parking and includes taxes and gratuities. More details here.

I usually take special offers from establishments purporting to be romantic hotels with a pinch of salt. I mean, its not like they offer something which you can't get from room service. Its just a room with some freebies thrown in. But what attracts me about the Kyoto Grand's offer is the price tag - $199. And remember, that includes all taxes.

Besides, this boutique hotel is something of a novelty, with a pretty obvious Japanese influence in the decor and the services offered, and there's a lush green rooftop sanctuary atop the 21 floors of the hotel (which alone should be enough to keep the all pervasive LA smog away from the hotel's premises). Plus, its location in Little Tokyo isn't all that shabby as a base for Los Angeles vacations. They also have two solid dining options in the Genji Bar and the Garden Grill.

The hotel offers 434 guest rooms and 20 suites, including 3 Japanese inspired suites. In room amenities include a coffee maker, color television with premium movie channels, hairdryer, iron and board, and rollaway beds. The suites have plush sofas, wodden shutter doors, and a large wall inset rack for the television. Sober colors and tasteful decor make this a relaxing place to stay at.

Can't say if its very romantic, but from the looks of it, seems the Kyoto Grand is at least more romantic than most other Los Angeles hotels.

Info: 120 South Los Angeles Street Los Angeles CA 90012; (213) 629-1200; www.kyotograndhotel.com/

New Year's in the Big Apple with the Wellington

There's no better time for New York vacations than during the new year. And hotels are full up already, so its wise to book well in advance. The snooty Midtown Manhattan hotel Wellington next to the Carnegie Hall is offering a 3 night package for New Year's in New York.

Package includes 3 nights in a King room or suite with full American breakfast in the Park Café each morning, shopping discounts including Macy's, South Street Seaport, and an in-room gift (one per room). Rates from $909 (for 2 people). Subject to availability before and after Dec 31st. More details here.

Amenities at the Wellington include concierge services for theater, sight seeing and local transport, a gift shop, the award-winning Molyvos mediterranean restaurant, Park Cafe for breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-theater snacks, valet parking (charges apply), hair dresser, room service, valet laundry and drycleaning, high speed wireless, business center and complimentary safe deposit boxes at the counter.

The hotel has 515 guest rooms and 85 1-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, all equipped with wireless internet, cable TV with pay per view movies, hairdryers, and iron & board.

If you're looking for decent New York hotels near Times Square where you can crash after watching the ball go on down on New Year's, and which is convinient for checking out all the other NYC attractions, then the Wellington just about fits the bill.

Info: 871 7th Ave at 55th Street New York NY 10019; (800) 652-1212; www.wellingtonhotel.com/

Wellness Weekends Package at the Palomar San Francisco

San Francisco isn't all that famed for spas and spa getaways, although Napa Valley has a bucketload of spa resorts and hotels where the A-list crowd enjoy downtime and recuperations for their skin and body. Still, if you're talking about San Francisco per se, there aren't that many classy massage and therapy joints which come with a vacation package.


One of these happens to be the Palomar Hotel in San Francisco's Union Square, which offers in-room spa services. They also have a package special called 'Wellness Weekends', which includes luxe accommodations, a welcome 'Detox Mocktail' (that's supposed to be a non-alcoholic pomegranate juice spritzer), take-home aromatherapy scented eye mask, use of in-room yoga bag for your use during your stay, take-home copy of body + soul Magazine and Guide to Balanced Living booklet, a healthy breakfast (in-room or at the Fifth Floor restaurant with take-home recipe sheet), and an opportunity to book a signature Kimpton Relax & Rejuvenate in-room spa experience with a 10% discount off regular price. package rates from $239. More details here.


The Palomar is a Kimpton hotel, and as such offers all the things that Kimptons have, like KimptonKids, and EarthCare (an eco-friendly program). Besides, the hotel is extremely per friendly and the lcoation is suitable as a base for exploring San Francisco. Hotel amenities and services include free wi-fi, Manager's hosted wine reception in the evening, complimentary morning coffee and overnight shoeshine, laundry and valet services, on-site fitness center, and the hotel offers 10% off on parking charges if your vehicle is a hybrid. The Fifth Floor Restaurant & Lounge is stylish, neat and spacious, and offers French cuisine.


The French influence can be seen in the hotel's design and artwork and the 195 guest rooms and suites as well. In-room amenities include free wi-fi, comfortable workdesks, down comforters, L'Occitane bath products and plush bathrobes, TV with on-demand movies, Nintendo for games and DVD player, Honor bar stocked with specialty and gourmet items, in-room safe, iron & board, hairdryer, full-length and two-sided make-up mirrors, and here's the kicker - They'll bring in a companion goldfish to keep you from getting lonely for the duration of your stay. Course, it better be there after you leave, so if you have a cat, make sure the cat and the goldfish don't get into an argument.


Info: 12 Fourth Street at MarketSan Francisco CA 94103; (866) 373-4941; http://www.hotelpalomar-sf.com/

Pet Friendly Mt. Charleston Lodge Las Vegas

The whole concept of pet friendly hotels is actually a pig-headed idea. That's because by definition of a hotel, your pet is locked up in a room, same as at home. If you really want your pet to enjoy the vacation same as you, then the only way to do it is choose pet friendly lodging, as opposed to hotels.

Which is where the Mt. Charleston Lodge - located in Kyle Canyon, in the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, 38 miles off the Strip in Las Vegas - comes in. They offer these neat log cabins set in a scenic outdoorsy place where your dog has the run of the place. $20 fee per night per night, with a maximum 30-pound weight limit and no more than two pets. More details here.

The lodge offers two types of cabins - honeymoon cabins (500 sq ft) for couples and larger family cabins (900 sq ft). Each A-frame cabin has whirlpool baths and showers, and some are equipped with VCR or DVD, and microwave and a mini refrigerator. The cabins have private decks and gas fireplaces. No telephones, so its basically a getaway from the urban bedlam in Las Vegas.

The honeymoon cabins cost $267.50 and the family cabins clock in at $347.75. Don't ask about why they need the 50 and 75 cents. Special holiday rates for December are available, with weeknight honeymoons at $160.50, and weekend honeymoons at $240.75. The family special rates are $214.00 and $294.25 for weeknights and weekend nights respectively.

New Year's eve rates are slightly higher, but include champagne or sparkling cider, a spa basket & party favors.

Info: Kyle Canyon, Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest 1200 Old Park Road Las Vegas NV 89124; (702) 872-5408; www.mtcharlestonlodge.com/

An Affair to Remember at the Ivy San Diego

No, I didn't indulge in a one night stand and a sodden hangover. 'An Affair to Remember' is a package special at the Ivy Hotel in San Diego. As it is, the Ivy is one of the top three San Diego hotels for partying and wild nights in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Throw in a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, gourmet chocolate truffles, and bath butler service with molton brown bubble bath and scented candles, along with premium accomodations thrown in, and what you have is the an 'Affair to Remember'. Rates starting from $399. More details here.

I think I've written about the Ivy before, but I'm kinda losing track of what hotels I've already reviewed, and which ones are yet to be done. What the heck, I guess the Ivy is well worth a redo. Besides, they've added a few things since I've last been there, like the Ivy Enticements - Daily events and shows, like Mondays with Damon Gordon's Quarter Kitchen where the celeb chef shows you how he creates his masterpieces, and live music where performers play acoustic sounds with a fusion of rock, funk, jazz, blues and pop.

Course, the primary reasons to book in at the Ivy remain the Envy nightclub and the Eden rooftop pool and bar, full bottle in-room bar, 24 hour valet parking, and the fabulous 42" HDTV wall mounted plasma screens virtual 5.1 sound effect. The rest of it is standard stuff, with same day laundry, fitness center, 20,000 sq ft of event space and 9000 sq ft of meeting space, complimentary wireless throughout the hotel, fine linens, microfiber bathrobes and Korres environmentally friendly body care products.

Info: 600 F Street San Diego CA 92101; (619) 814-1000; www.ivyhotel.com/

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/

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/