Play & Stay Deal at the Pearl Hotel, San Diego

The Pearl Hotel at Point Loma, near Downtown San Diego is a boutique with a strong personality and maintains a fun, easygoing environment for guests (especially poolside after sundown). The location - One block from San Diego Bay and 10 minutes from the Gaslamp Quarter - is excellent as a base camp for San Diego vacations. Best part of the deal is that the hotel is relatively cheap, when you compare the rates (starting from $153 at the Pearl) with other San Diego hotels.

But it gets better. If you think of yourself as lucky, you might want to give their 'Play & Stay' special a try. Way it works is pretty simple - You land up in person at their front desk after midnight, and you can book any available room for $79 (plus taxes). Now even if you compare that against their lowest standard rate, you end up saving $74 per night. And what do you have to do? Wait until after midnight to go in and get yourself a room.

Have to warn you, though. When there's a convention in progress, or something big, like Comic-Con or the SD County Fair, or a big Padres game at the ballpark, or even holidays like the 4th of July, it can become virtually impossible to get a room in the area at the last minute. So before you think about Play & Stay at the Pearl, you might want to check your calenders and San Diego event listings, and make sure you're not going to end up on the streets.

Guestroom amenities include desk and chair, free Wi-Fi access, Roku SoundBridge Radio, and 32" and 42" LCD televisions. Special mention needs to be made of the fabulous pool at the Pearl. Even though the hotel is not so big as to be called a resort, the poolside atmosphere - with the cabanas, and dining service and cozy nooks - makes it a fitting place for parties and get togethers.

Info: 1410 Rosecrans Street (at Fenelon) San Diego, CA 92106; 877-PEARL-SD; www.thepearlsd.com/

Orlando Package Deals from WorldQuest Resorts

Let's face the facts here. Orlando vacations are increasingly becoming the preserve of the rich and the fortunate. But there's hope yet - With WorldQuest Resorts building a family friendly hotel cum resort cum condo complex which straddles the divide between these 'Two Americas', to borrow a phrase from former Sen. John Edwards' campaign. The Resort offers 2 and 3 bedroom suites which can house upto 8 people. Rates from $119 per night, based on quadraple occupancy for a family of 4, with 2 adults and 2 children.

Best part is that the resort has package deals under which your stay is not limited to 2 or 3 days. Instead, you can stay for as long as you want, for upto 12 days. That's upto 8 people for 12 days, in a resort one mile from the Disney World Resort.

And that's not all. If you book in for one of the specials, like the 'Walt Disney World Vacation Package', what you get is :-

• Accommodations Up to 8
• Complimentary Transportation to Disney World
• Your choice of ticket type: Park Hopper, Magic Your Way, Waterpark Fun and More! No expiration option
• Your choice of Park: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studio, Disney Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon.
• No Restrictions - you can stay 1 night or 12 nights, it's your choice!

More details about this and other specials here. For the record, amenities at WorldQuest Resorts include cable and satellite television with pay-per-view movies, coffee/tea maker, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, in-room safe, high speed onternet access (additional charge), iron/ironing board, jetted bathtub, kitchen with microwave and refrigirator, and private patio/balcony with seperate entrance to the suites from outside.

Also for the record, while its cheaper than most Orlando hotels and resorts close to the theme parks, WorldQuest is still under construction, so all the facilities may not be available as yet. Please check with the management before you book in.

Info: 8849 WorldQuest Blvd. Orlando FL 32821; (877) 987-8378; www.worldquestorlando.com/

Online Special - 10% Off At Old Monterey Inn

Monterey hotels don't come any more steeped in tradition and history than this delightful boutique property - The Old Monterey Inn. For that matter, neither do they come with any more charm, wrapped in a pleasant rustic look and a unique beauty - Shutter windows which open wide to light up the entire room, a giant bed, heavy wooden furnishings, crackling fireplace, stained glass windows, skylights, free and sumptous breakfast, lush foliage and a garden with trails outside - all of which are signature traits of a luxurious old Country Inn.

Of course, it helps when the things to do in Monterey and in the area surrounding the Monterey Peninsula - Carmel, Big Sur, Pacific Grove - are just as hauntingly beautiful as the Inn. According to their own description, the Old Monterey Inn website says that "this 4-Diamond AAA rated Monterey bed and breakfast was recently awarded a position on the coveted Conde Nast Travel Reader's Choice Gold List and is a popular choice for those seeking romantic honeymoon destinations or Monterey vacations."

And it gets even better if you're offered 10% off the standard room rates. Book yourself in online at the Old Monterey Inn, and get 10% off regular room rates. Pre-payment required at the time of booking. No changes or cancellations allowed. Mention this promotion in "Special Needs" section when booking online.

Room rates include a gourmet breakfast, afternoon refreshments and hors d'oeuvres with complimentary wine and beverages in the evening. In-room amenities include TV with VCR, DSL line and telephone, plush featherbeds with down comforters and pollows, luxurious linens, private bath with hairdryers, soft terry robes with perfumed bath salts, thick towels, current magazines and candles. Hotel amenities include evening turndown service, garden side dining and sitting areas, a spa tub for two, and full concierge service, along with breakfast in bed or by your fireplace, and a morning newspaper delivered to your door.

Standard nightly rates starting from $250 and onwards upto $430. Minimum 2 night stay required if you are boking in for a weekend.

Info: 500 Martin Street Monterey CA 93940; (831) 375-8284; www.oldmontereyinn.com/

1 Night Free at Riverside Hotel Fort Lauderdale

No better way to begin Fort Lauderdale vacations than to have a hotel room on Las Olas Boulevard. And if said hotel has about 80 years of history, and offers 1 night free, along with a lot of other freebies and credits, well, that's just the icing on the cake.

And this is exactly what the Riverside Hotel offers. Book a two day stay Thursday-Friday and get Saturday free. Book Friday-Saturday and get Sunday free. Valid until September 30 2008. Choice of either a balcony room in the Executive tower for $199, or the old classic guest rooms for $159. Also included in the offer, and complimentary, are a $25.00 gas credit, welcome cocktail in the Golden Lyon bar or Preston’s Lounge, 50% off valet parking per night, 20% discount for Indigo Restaurant & Grill Room on Las Olas, and 2 water taxi passes. Considering that pretty much includes all the things to do in Fort Lauderdale, you're not going to be spending too much money in excess of your hotel bill. More details of the offer here.

To make the contest even more one-sided, the Riverside would probably wind up on any top ten list of Fort Lauderdale hotels, even without the special. Amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, same day dry-cleaning, a boat dock, 2 restaurants and a lounge for dining and drinks, business center with over 11,000 sq ft of meeting and banquet space, gift shop, 24 hour front desk, valet and concierge services, room service, free high speed internet and a 7-story parking garage with car rental facilities.

The 217 guest rooms and suites are divided between the original landmark building and the new 12-story executive tower. Tower rooms are costlier, but way better, with City skyline views and modern amenities. So, as far as possible, avoid the old rooms, and specifically ask for tower rooms while booking in. In-room amenities include a mini bar, cable television with pay-per-view movies, refrigerator and mini bar. Rates starting from $119.

Info: 620 East Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; (954) 467-0671; www.riversidehotel.com/

MGM Grand Las Vegas Flyback Offer

Like they say, what happens in Las Vegas hotels, does not happen anywhere else. Well, maybe that's exactly true, but can you tell me of any other hotel or resort in any other state, where, if you stay for 2 or more nights, will land you $300 return trip airfare credit, $25 activity credit towards dining or entertainment, 15% off on spa services, 15% off on retail shopping at selected retail outlets, and 2 complimentary poolside cocktails. Well, you can't because this is possible only when you book the Flyback special offer at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. Room rates starting from $100 per night.

Conditions - Book before August 31 2008. The return trip (hotel and air) must include two or more nights at MGM Grand and must be booked by the travel agency noted on the certificate. Flyback certificate will be issued to qualified guestss upon check-in. More details and online booking here.

The MGM Grand resort offers cutting edge luxury and Vegas style fun amenities and services for guests, including the Wet Republic Ultra Pool, MGM Grand Spa and Health Club, Cristophe Salon, a Grand Pool Complex, Wedding Chapel, airport check-in, golf, shopping, a plethora of fine restaurants and diners to satisfy every need. And this is in addition to the entertainment and nightlife options, which are too numerous to list or describe in a single post here. Let's just say that its what you usually get on Las Vegas vacations - Roll the dice, shows and live performances by celebrities, romantic dinners, getting drunk (and maybe married), and party hard (best parties in Vegas are usually poolside)

As for acccomodations, the MGM Grand offers everything from standard rooms for less than $100 and on upto bank busting celebrity spa suites and skyloft penthouse suites.

Info: 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas Nevada 89109; (877) 880-0880; www.mgmgrand.com/

Super Summer Sale at Dunes Village Resort, Myrtle Beach SC

Its cheap, branded as the best family friendly resort in the nation by the likes of Expedia and a TripAdvisor user survey, and they're offering a super summer sale offer - an oceanfront deluxe studio for $169 per night. The oceanfront is at Myrtle Beach, and resort in question is the Dunes Village Resort. More details here.

So, if you think Myrtle Beach vacations are a riot, wait till you see what the Dunes Village Resort has inside it. You, or the kids at least, will want to spend the entire week in-hotel. Which kinda works out good, cause that leaves you free to laze out on the beach and enjoy the adult pleasures of the Grand Strand, with all the shopping and entertainment and restaurants, while the kids are safely supervised inside the resort, and having fun.

So, anyway, fun activities for the kids at the Dunes include an indoor water park which has a 250 ft river ride, among other attractions, and pool games, water basketball, treasure hunts, arts and crafts and lots more stuff. There's also an outdoor pool with a deck, and on-site restaurants.

The Oceanfront feluxe King studio has 1 King bed, full size sofa sleeper, 2 TV's, DVD player, dining area, kitchenette, dressing area, 1 bath, and a private balcony. If you're with family, the resort also has 2, 3 and 4 bedroom condos. Standard rates starting from $139.

Not that Myrtle Beach hotels are very costly (you'll find decent rooms and condos for as low as $30 per night and the average nightly rate is a little less than $100), but the Dunes Village Resort has a lot of family friendly amenities and services, which are either not available at the smaller hotels, or charged for excessively by the bigger resorts. In summary, the Dunes offers great value for money for a family, which is why its rated so highly for family travelers.

Info: 5200 North Ocean Blvd. Myrtle Beach SC 29577; (877) 828-2237; www.dunesvillage.com/

Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani

Sometimes, a room, or a suite, in a hotel gains so much fame, or notoriety, that it overshadows the hotel itself. This happens when Kings and Presidents stay in Presidential suites, or a famous actor or celebrity prefers to stay in a specific room, and sometimes, when a room is outlandish, such as the Godiva Decadence suite at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City, which is entirely made of chocolate.

If you limit yourself to Honolulu hotels, only one name comes to mind - the Vera Wang Suite at the Halekulani Hotel, which, as the hotel itself says "is truly one of a kind. Immersed in understated and elegant décor, this one-bedroom suite features 2,135 sq. ft. of interior space, plus a 642 sq. ft. Oceanside lanai. Personally designed by Ms. Wang, The Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani is a timeless, totally original creation.

The hotel takes special care to ensure absolute privacy for the suite's occupants, and to top that off, the suite offers spectacular views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Both the master bedroom and the Lanai overlook the beach, and you won't find a better place for a honeymoon, or to celebrate your love, than in this suite, with the open sky, the stars, and the moon looking down on Diamond Head.

The suite has a 50" plasma television with a complete entertainment center, a deep soaking tub and a seperate glass-enclosed shower, private butler service, a special in-bed breakfast, and 24 hour in-room dining served in-suite or at the private Lanai. The Vera Wang suite guests get chauffeured to and from the airport in a private limousine, and are also offered exclusive in-suite spa treatments courtesy of SpaHalekulani. And also free internet, local calls, in-room safe, complimentary newspapers, business secreterial services, twice-daily turndown service, and VIP passes and services to the Honolulu Symphony, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, The Contemporary Museum and Iolani Palace.

It's a once in a lifetime oppurtunity for common riffraf to stay at this suite. But anyway, its not like we go on Honolulu vacations every other year. So if you're willing to say, what the heck, let's just do it, then call (800) 367-2343 to make reservations.

Info: 2199 Kalia Road Honolulu Hawaii 96815; (808) 923-2311; www.halekulani.com/

Green Getaway At The Ambrose, Santa Monica

Located a block from the Wilshire business district and a few minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, the Ambrose hotel in Santa Monica bills itself as an enticing offer of a 'green experience' with guilt-free luxury Los Angeles vacations.

While Los Angeles does have its share of tree hugging do-gooders, its not as prominent on the environment friendly crusade as San Francisco, which has ultimate eco-friendly hospitality offerings like the LEED certified Orchard Garden. But now, Los angeles hotels have a green role model in the Ambrose, which got itself certified as the first ever LEED-EB (that's short for existing building) certified U.S. hotel. While it would be beyond the scope of this blog to explain what LEED is, let's just say that its the holy grail for being certified as a green outlet, building, service provider, etc. More details on their website - www.usgbc.org/leed/ and detailed info about the Ambrose hotel's green initiatives, certifications and green practices can be found here.

As far as amenities and services for guests are concerned, the hotel offers hybrid car rentals and preferred parking for hybrids, along with complimentary parking for for all guests in the hotel's secure underground parking lot. There's a free organic breakfast with Starbucks fair trade organic coffee for all guests, free hotel wide wi-fi, a recreation and exercise room, business center with meeting space, a lush Asian themed garden, concierge services and 24 hour in-room dining. The Ambrose also offers its guests complimentary transport around Santa Monica in biodiesel-fueled taxis and use of chauffeured limousines powered by alternative energy.

The 77 guest rooms are furnished and equipped with Italian bed linens, Aveda bath products, a mini bar with a choice selection of wines, beer and organic snacks and goodies. Some of the rooms have hardwood floors. Al rooms offer free wi-fi internet, DVD/CD players with surround sound, a complimentary USAToday, guest laundry and same day drycleaning. Rates from $239.

Info: 1255 20th Street Santa Monica CA 90404; (310) 315-1555; www.ambrosehotel.com/

Gas Card Specials From Hotel Cass Chicago

Stay one night at the Hotel Cass Chicago and get a $25 gas card, or stay 2+ nights and get a $50 gas card. Valid until Sept 3 2008. Click here for more details. The Cass is located steps from 'The Magnificient Mile', with shopping at over 460 retailers and 275 restaurants, which is Chi-town's equivalent of Fifth Ave in NYC. Rates from $199 (taxes extra).

Usually, most hotels offering gas cards would also be offering free parking. After all, the gas card really is more symbolic than anything else, and the savings on the gas are usually tucked away as add-ons somewhere else in your hotel bill, while making it seem like driving to the hotel is cheaper because of the gas card. If you're offering free parking, that enhances the impression. Point of all this babble is that Chicago hotels don't seem to get this concept, and the cussed Cass is charging a whopping $32 for self parking, and $45 for valet parking.

So anyway, what the Cass offers is hotel-wide complimentary internet (both wired and wireless), complimentary breakfast which includes bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, alternate days of scrambled eggs or cheese omelets, and the hotel's signature cinnamon rolls, 24 hour complimentary coffee, tea, and juices in lobby along with daily newspaper, and a business center.

In-room amenities include a pillow top bed, flat screen HDTV, coffee maker with complimentary coffee, hairdryer, iron & ironing board, bath toileteries, an in-room safe and valet laundry service. Not saying the Cass is the best hotel for Chicago vacations, but it is does offer clean and spacious rooms, a sumptous free breakfast, and is willing to reimburse you for a part of your gas bill. The location isn't too shabby either. That's not so a bad deal, anyway which way you look at it.

Info: 640 North Wabash Avenue Chicago Illinois 60611; (312) 787-4030; www.casshotel.com/

Gassy Suite Nights Special at Alexander Hotel Miami Beach

Planning for Miami vacations with family? The Alexander Hotel, Miami Beach, which sits 'on' the beach at Collins Ave, is offering a Gassy Suite Nights special, which includes accomodations for 4 people in a junior 2-bedroom suite, $50.00 gas credit towards food & beverage, and daily breakfast for 4.

The suite includes living area, dining area, full kitchen, 2 full bathrooms, private balcony, master bedroom with a king or queen size bed, and a second bedroom with twin beds. Rates from $224.00 per night (taxes extra), with a 2 night minimum stay required. That comes to $528.24 for 2 nights, for a full family of four people, plus free breakfast and $50 credit for food & drinks. Package valid until Dec 24 2008. More details and online booking here.

Why call it a 'gas credit', when it can only be used for food and drinks? And you get breakfast free, anyway. Also, the $50 food and drinks credit is likely for the Shula's Steak House housed inside the Alexander, and you'll probably end up wiping out the credit in half a meal. Be that as it may, fact is that this is as good a deal as you're going to get at one of the comparable beachfront Miami hotels on Collins Avenue.

The Alexander, like most other Miami Beach oceanfront resorts, has a magnificient pair of lagoon shaped pools, with lush gardens and a cascading waterfall rounding up the impression of a tropical oasis. Two jacuzzis, private cabanas and al fresco dining and bar service add to the luxury. The hotel also offers its guests use of business and fitness centers, along with the Gianfranco Salon and Spa.

The all-suite hotel offers suites ranging fron 1000 to 1250 sq ft., , with balconies either overlooking the beach and the Atlantic, or the intracoastal waterway.

Info: 5225 Collins Avenue Miami Beach Florida 33140; (305) 865-6500; www.alexanderhotel.com/

See Seattle Package from Warwick Hotel

The Warwick Seattle Hotel is offering an all-inclusive Seattle vacations package called 'See Seattle', which includes overnight accommodations for two, American breakfast for two at the Brasserie Margaux restaurant, free parking, and 1 day Go Seattle Card for 2 adults ($98 value with unlimited admission to over 36 attractions in Seattle). Package costs $314, inclusive of all taxes and gratuities. Use promo code PACK2. For more details, call (800) 426-9280 or online booking here.

Let's see if we can break it up into individual compenents and see whether its a fair offer, as compared to other Seattle hotels. For starters, most hotels in Seattle offer free parking, so let's forget about that. Secondly, the breakfast is no biggie either. That leaves the room rates and the Go Seattle Card. If you buy each seperately, the card (for two) costs about $100. And a standard room at the Warwick costs about $154 plus taxes, which comes to about $178. So that's a total of $278 plus breakfast and parking ($27 at the hotel's parking garage), if you decide to buy all of it seperately.

Not much difference either way, whether you book the package or not. So should you buy the See Seattle package or not? On the Go Seattle Card website, it says the package costs $240, while on the Warwick's website, it says $314. I have a feeling the hotel might reduce the rate if you called up, so give it a shot.

Is the Warwick good enough to merit all this hassle? Well, its situated within walking distance of Pike Place Market and all the important things to do in Seattle for tourists. The Warwick also has an indoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool, sauna, fitness and business centers with over 2000 sq ft of meeting space, and internet access ($11 for one day, $20 for two).

Dining facilities include the aforementioned Brasserie Margaux, which serves American and European breakfast favourites including pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict and Seattle-style standards, along with lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends. The Margaux Lounge is a full service bar offering burgers, salads, chowder and appetisers.

The hotel offers 230 guest rooms outfitted with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors which lead out to a private Juliet balcony, with views of the Seattle Space Needle or city skyline. Rooms also feature Italian marble bathrooms, wet bar with minibar or refrigerator, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, in-room safe, in-room complimentary coffee and tea, movie and games system and designer bath amenities.

Info: 401 Lenora Street Seattle Washington 98121; (206) 443-4300; www.warwickwa.com/

20% Off at Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel San Francisco

San Francisco vacations don't come cheap, but if you book in for a stay between either August 31st to September 1st or between December 9th to December 12th, you'll receive 20% off at the Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel in Downtown San Francisco. You'll have to check for rates and availability, because when I tried to book online, it said that the 20% off is only if you stay for at least 4 nights, and 30% off if you stay for 5 nights. But they may offer the 20% off even for shorter stays if you call them at (800) 595-0507. Rates from $159 per night (this is the lowest standard room rate, without the 20% discount).

They have a lotta other specials, including a 'Cars Stay Free' package, a 'Breakfast for Two' package and a 'Burke Williams Spa Package'. But after looking at the prices on the rest of the packages (around or over $200), I figure the only one worth discussing is the 20% discount package. I mean, if you can get a room for about $120 at a big hotel like the Parc 55, that just about beats the rates offered by all comparable San Francisco hotels.

In addition to 21,000 sq ft of meeting and event space, the Parc 55 offers its guests use of a 24 hour health club, dry sauna, a coffee shop (Barbary Coast), cocktail lounge (Piazza Lounge), a sports bar (Barley 'N Hops) and two restaurants - The Veranda Restaurant which serves California cuisine, and Siam Thai which offers Thai cuisine. Amenities and services for guests include a business center, room service, massage therapists, tour desk, gift shop, valet parking ($44 plus 14% tax for parking - No wonder they have a 'cars stay free' package.. ), overnight laundry and child-care services (on request).

The 32 story Parc 55 offers 1,010 guest rooms and 18 executive suites with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. In-room amenities include cable televsion with video games and on-demand movies, hair dryer, iron and ironing board and makeup mirrors, blackout drapes, coffee and tea maker, workdesk, complimentary newspaper, high speed internet, and shower massage.

Info: 55 Cyril Magnin Street San Francisco CA 94102; (415) 392-8000; www.parc55hotel.com/

Miyako Inn Los Angeles Hotel Weekend Special

The Miyako Inn, Los Angeles is offering a weekend getaway package for $109 per night, which includes free upgrade to Executive room and a compimentary continental breakfast every morning. Minimum 2 night stay required, and package valid Friday through Sunday only. More details and online booking here. That's quite reasonable, compared to other downtown Los Angeles hotels.

The hotel has a business center and meeting room with computer, internet and copy services (extra charges apply), along with valet parking ($18). For guests, the hotel offers free in-room internet, and the 11th floor Executive rooms have free wireless internet. Being a Japanese hotel, the Miyako offers a health spa with a Jacuzzi, with Dry / Steam sauna, and Shiatsu Asian massage treatment. The Spa also houses a fitness center with exercise equipment.

The rooms, in tune with the rest of the hotel, are functional without being decadent or overly luxurious. Considering the price and location, its not all that bad. Twin beds with headboards, bare walls, a small workdesk with a cair, and large windows with floor to celing drapes. Each room comes with a complimentary DSL connnection, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, coffee maker and electronic safety box. rates from $109 to $149 (taxes extra).

The $149 is the standard per night rate for the executive rooms, so if you book the weekend package, you basically save $40 per night, assuming you want the executive room. In a nutshell, the hotel may not be an A-lister, but if you're on a budget Los Angeles vacation, then the price, location and functionality of the Miyako, not to mention the neat spa, provide an attractive option.

Info: 328 East 1st Street Los Angeles CA 90012; (213) 617-2000; www.miyakoinn.com/

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

1 Night Free at Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs

The thing about Palm Springs is that it's cheap, and the desert has a whole lotta dirt, so what you have is a dirt cheap Palm Springs holiday with lots of shopping, golf and poolside action. Which is why the Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs is offering the 3rd night free if you book in for 2 nights. Valid until September 30, 2008. Use promo code 89934 for online booking, or call (760) 322-9000. Rates starting at $99, if your stay is in August.

Rates at Palm Springs hotels usually fluctuate on a daily basis much more than other areas in California (don't ask why). So you should probably keep your dates flexible enough and check to see which days of the month you get the best rate.

As far as the Hyatt is concerned, its one of the better digs in palm Springs, and offers everything from an airport shuttle to ice machines (you're gonna need it, trust me..) and a manicure salon and full service spa. Other guest services and amenities include wireless internet, health club, valet parking, a heated outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool with a sundeck, jogging and bicycle trails, and A-grade meeting and banquet facilities.

Dining options include the Palm Court cafe with Californian cuisine, Bar Blue for light snacks and appetizers, and Cafe 285 and Spritzes which serves American cuisine.

The 193 guest rooms and suites each offer two televisions with cable and pay-per-view movies, individual climate control, Full bath amenities with Whirlpool bath or bidet in Executive / VIP suites, hairdryer, coffee maker, In-room refrigerator, Iron / ironing board, in-room safety-deposit box and daily newspaper at the front desk.

Info: 285 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262; (760) 322-9000; http://palmsprings.hyatt.com/

Zoo Explorer Special at Holiday Inn On the Bay, San Diego

Holiday Inn On the Bay San Diego is offering a 'Zoo Explorer' special which includes overnight accommodations in newly renovated room with walk-out furnished balcony and 2 adult passes to the San Diego Zoo. Complimentary shuttle service available on schedule. Experience relaxing views of the San Diego Bay or Downtown City Skyline.

Passes good for admission, unlimited use of guided bus tour, express bus & Skyfari Aerial Tram. Excludes special ticketed events & attractions. . If you like this one, there's also a 'Sea World Adventure' package which includes two adult tickets to SeaWorld San Diego, instead of to the Zoo. Rates for the Zoo special from $239 based on double occupancy. Average nightly rates, without the special, from $179 (taxes extra). that's pretty decent, as far as San Diego hotels are concerned, and especially when you consider the prime location at North Harbor Drive on the Embarcadero.

In addition to the shuttle, amenities at this hotel include business services such as copy & fax, high speed wi-fi internet availability in the lobby with a Microsoft powered PC, courier service, and printing facility. There's also a bike rental and an outdoor pool with a poolside gym, and a full service health & fitness center, if you feel like working out. Other amenities and services include same day dry cleaning and guest self laundry facilities, a convenience store, news stand and a gift shop, concierge services, room-service, self-parking ($20) and valet parking ($26).

The hotel is pet friendly (two pets allowed per room) and family friendly with connecting rooms available, and in fact also has the 'Kids Eat Free' program (you buy a meal, your kid gets one free), cribs and rollaway beds on request, and an in-room Nintendo game cube with in-room video game check-in and checkout facilities.

Dining facilities in-hotel include Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which serves full meals, the Elephant & Castle Pub which is kinda like a British pub and Hazelwood’s Bayside Deli, which is good for quick bites and snacks and takeaways.

The 14 story hotel has 600 guest rooms, incuding 10 suites, with views of the water or the downtown city skyline. In-room amenities include cable television with pay-per-view movies, coffee maker, hair dryer, high speed internet, iron & ironing board, bath with tub, private balconies, and a work desk with lamp.

Info: 1355 North Harbor Drive San Diego CA 92101; (619) 232-3861; www.hisandiegoonthebay.com/

1 Night Free at the NYC Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel, New York City, is offering a third night free summer special until September 1. Includes third night complimentary when you book and pay for two consecutive nights. And a VIP Package at Saks 5th Ave, exclusive personal shopping experience in the Fifth Avenue Club,
complimentary coffee and dessert in one of Saks Fifth Avenue's restaurants. Rates from $615 per night (taxes extra), based on double occupancy. Offer valid on a three-night consecutive stay. Call (888) 240-7775 or click here for online booking and more details about the package.

Please note that I don't normally recommend any hotel which charges in excess of $250 or $300 per night. After all, its just four walls and a roof with a bed and bathroom inside. But the Plaza is a different matter. Its not just a hotel. As any New Yorker who has lived in NYC for the last 10 to 20 years or more will tell you, the Plaza is an institution, a part of the social and cultural fabric of the Big Apple. Brunch and tea with friends and family at the Plaza's Palm Court restaurant used to a be rite - Just one of the weekly things to do in New York. And the hotel has a rich history and over 100 years of tradition dating back to 1907. The building was designated a New York City landmark in 1969, and is also listed as a National Historic Landmark.

The hotel re-opened a few months back after a massive lobby to roof renovation which took 3 years and over $400 million. As of now, it is sparkling new, but maintains the same look and feel, with the same Beaux Arts décor, the stained glass and tradition of afternoon tea in the Palm Court, and the old Oak Room and Oak Bar. New additions to this formidable list include the Champagne Bar, the Rose Club, and a Tranquility Garden with reflecting pools, elaborate lighting and exotic foliage.

The Plaza now offers 282 guestrooms, including 102 suites. Each room has been exquisitely designed with Louis XV style French decor to provide optimum luxury and indulgence. Every room has chamdeliers, 24-carat gold plated Sherle Wagner designed sinks and fixtures cradled by imported and hand crafted solid white marble vanities. This is not the standard issue brass and polish that a Hilton offers. The Plaza offers aristocratic lodgings and treats its guests like royalty.

Even the standard Plaza room is a spacious 475 sq ft, with 1 King bed, a comfortable sitting area with a table and one or two arm chairs, and a writing desk and chair. That's almost double the size of what average New York hotels offer. In-room amenities include a wall mounted flat screen television, a mosaic tiled bathroom with glass shower and bathtub, Mascioni bath towels, robes and linen, Miller Harris toiletries, hairdryer, refrigerated private bar, and iron and ironing board, in addition to other gizmos and electronic gadgets and amenities.

Info: Fifth Avenue at Central Park South New York, New York 10019; (212) 759-3000; www.fairmont.com/theplaza/

$59 Rooms At Golden Nugget Las Vegas

Rates from $59 per night with the 'Super Summer Room' offer at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas for stays before September 30 2008. $59 per night (Sunday - Thursday, taxes extra) and receive a $25 Food & Beverage Credit and 2-for-1 Tickets to 'Defending the Caveman'. Two night consecutive minimum stay required to receive Food & Beverage credit and 2-for-1 Tickets. Rates based on single or double occupancy. Call (800) 634-3454 for reservations or click here for more details and online booking.

If I write about everything this monster hotel & casino complex has, it'll take me more than a few pages. So here's the 'fast facts'. Three towers housing 1,907 guestrooms, including one and two bedroom suites, 27 luxury apartments in the Spa Suite Tower and six Penthouse Suites in the North Tower. 38,000 square feet of gaming area, which includes approximately 1,200 slot and video poker machines and 50 table games. A 600-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainers and nightly headline entertainment. More than 20,500 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, including 13 meeting and banquet rooms. Outdoor pool with live sharks, Jacuzzi and private cabanas, complete spa, salon and fitness center, and full-service business center.

Dining facilities include the Carson Street Café (American), Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Lillie’s Noodle House (Asian), Grotto Italian Ristorante, The Buffet and a Starbucks. Shopping facilities include the Perfect Timing watch shop, Trend & Style for clothing and jewelry, and other assorted shops with essentials, newspapers, snacks and stuff.

As for the accomodations, standard rates for guest rooms are between $79 - $189 and the suites for between $175 - $750. The rooms for the super summer package are in the South Tower, and come with high speed internet, in-room movies, safe deposit boxes, hair dryers, iron & ironing boards, full sized desks and bathrobes. Bathrooms have marble flooring, and each room has a vanity area with lighted makeup mirror.

In case you feel the need to leave all this 'wonderfulness' behind and check out the things to do in Las Vegas, the hotel offers golf, tennis and sightseeing tours.

Info: Golden Nugget Hotel 129 E. Fremont Street Las Vegas NV 89101; (702) 385-7111; www.goldennugget.com/ ; Photos courtesy & copyrights Golden Nugget Hotels and Casinos

Best Western Anaheim Inn

Here's a question for you. Would you rather spend your money on the things to do in Anaheim, or spend it on tipping a snotty room-service guy and valet parking? I'm talking about booking in at a cheap Big Western, as opposed to upscale digs like the Hilton. And say what you will about them, Best Westerns are darn cheap, especially if you're talking about staying with family.

One of these cheapos is the Best Western Anaheim Inn, located a mile away from the Anaheim Convention Center. Plus, you get a $25 gas card if you stay for 3 consecutive nights (offer valid until Sept 30th 2008). As it is, a standard room for two costs about $113. Children under 18 can stay free. Take out the $25 gas card, and you get a room for a full family for around $88 per night. With free parking. That's near the Convention Center, one of the most heavily visited tourist areas in the world that we're talking about here.

And its not like we're talking about a dump. Amenities at the Anaheim Inn include a front desk which provides Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets & CityPass for purchase, a restaurant & lounge next door, a heated pool, spa & sauna, same day dry cleaning & valet service, and guest laundry.

In-room amenities include a mini-refrigerator & microwave, kitchenettes available upon request, cable television with HBO, Disney Channel, ESPN, CNN & MTV, high speed wireless internet, coffeemaker with complimentary coffee & tea, hairdryer, and iron & ironing board.

You won't get ripped off, the location is good, and you'll get exactly what you paid for, which isn't shining brass and chandeliers, but comfortable and cleanliness and you have all the basic stuff you need for an overnight stay.

Info: 1630 S. Harbor Boulevard Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 774-1050; www.anaheiminn.com/

Ohana Hotels Stimulus Rebate Special at Waikiki

Ohana hotels is offering a stimulus rebate special at five of its hotels in Waikiki. $129 at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber, $119 at Ohana East, $109 at Ohana Waikiki West, $109 at Ohana Waikiki Malia, and $119 at the Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel. Rates are per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Package valid until December 21, 2008. More details and online booking here.

From what I know, best of the lot is the Ohana East Hotel, located at the corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kaiulani Avenue, steps away from Waikiki Beach, International Market Place, and Kalakaua Avenue. Its just a minute from Lewers Street, and a short walk away from Kapiolani Park, Honolulu Zoo, and the Waikiki Aquarium. Even better, the Ohana stimulus package comes with free access to the Waikiki Trolley, meaning that you can easily poke around the things to do in Honolulu.

The standard room rate at this hotel is around $204, so you save about $95 per night with the $119 stimulus package. Can't get a better deal in Waikiki, at this rate and from a touristy view point, unless someone gifted you a stay at the Hilton Hawaiaan Village.

Amenities at the Ohana East include three restaurants, an espresso cafe, room service, fitness room, swimming pool, high-speed Internet access, self-service laundry and a video arcade. The standard guest rooms, included in the stimulus package, are about 240 sq ft, with hair dryer,
in-room safe, iron & ironing board, refrigerator, coffee maker with complimentary coffee, shower and cable, pay-per-view movies and a nintendo for games. Cribs and rollaway beds available upon request (extra charges may apply).

That's pretty basic, but considering the kind of rates which other resorts and Honolulu hotels will make you pay, and considering the location of the Ohana East, this, like I said, is a pretty good deal. Point is, its a decent hotel, good location, cheap rates and service ain't that bad either.

Info: 150 Kaiulani Avenue Honolulu Hawaii 96815; (808) 922-5353; Website