Anaheim on a Dime with Tropicana Inn & Suites

Designated as a Good Neighbor Hotel by Disney, located across from the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney District and also adjacent to the Pedestrian Parkway, so you can simply park your car for the duration of the trip, and just hop across to the theme parks. One would think that with all this going for it, the Tropicana Inn & Suites would ramp up their facilities and service and brand itself as an upscale family hotel.

Instead, the Tropicana goes the other way - Making a name for itself as one the many cheap hotels for the entire family which dot the Anaheim landscape. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. I mean, I've seen many family hotels which offer rooms and suites for around $100 which can house the entire family, and which offer the same facilities and services and amenities offered by 4-star luxury resorts. All that's really necessary is for spacious, clean and comfortable rooms, usable bathrooms and good service. That's not so hard to manage, whether the hotel is big or small, luxurious or budget.

While the Tropicana manages to offer some of these things (Rooms from $91, pretty spacious, outsize pool, free parking and complimentary breakfast, great location, wi-fi internet, etc.), its not all sweetness and apple pie. The service leaves a lot to be desired, and their check-in staff need to be taught some basic manners. Secondly, the breakast is nothing to write home about, the internet carries an extra charge, and the entire hotel could do with a full renovation.

But if all you're looking for is a place to sleep in for a night, then you can do your Anaheim vacations on a dime with the Tropicana Inn & Suites.

Info: 1540 South Harbor Blvd Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 635-4082; www.tropicanainn-anaheim.com/

Family Vacation Revolution at Williamsburg Hospitality House

Nothing like good old-fashioned Southern hospitality in the Old Dominion and a history tour in Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg to connect you back to America's roots. And no one does it better than Williamsburg Hospitality House in Virginia, located across the street from the College of William and Mary, 3 blocks from Colonial Williamsburg amd 11 miles from Yorktown.

Whether you're looking for family things to do or golf courses, or simply romantic hotels for a cozy wine country getaway, the Williamsburg Hospitality House (WHH) offers something for everyone, alongwith 18th century ambience mixed in with the latest amenities and facilities.

Specials include a Family vacation Revolution package - 3 night package for a family of four, with accommodations, breakfast, $20.00 in WHH bucks, and 'Americas Historic Triangle' passes for 2 adults and 2 children, which allows admission to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, the Yorktown Battlefields and the Yorktown Victory Center. Package rates from $550. Click here for details of this and other specials at WHH.

Restaurants at WHH include the 415 Grill with a regional menu and a full service bar, and Papillion - a garden bistro with a spectacular breakfast spread. WHH also offers an outdoor pool, free garage parking, a fitness room, a game room, meeting and event facilities for upto 500 guests with 14 seperate meeting rooms, a gift shop (The Mole Hole), same day laundry, concierge services and room service. Wireless internet available (extra charge), and you can get cribs, rollaway beds and refrigirators upon request.

WHH offers 296 guest rooms, including 11 suites, 3 junior suites and 3 demi-suites. In-room amenities include hairdryers, iron & ironing boards, cable TV with in-room movies, in-room coffee with coffee/tea maker, complimentary toileteries and workdesks. Rates from $119.

Info: 415 Richmond Road Williamsburg VA 23185; (757) 229-4020; www.williamsburghosphouse.com/

Fishy Package at the Mutiny in Miami

Why on earth would somebody name a hotel as Mutiny? To make it even worse, the darn hotel is located in a place called Coconut Grove in the middle of Sailboat Bay, and has a restaurant called 'The Pirates Bar and Grill'. And the cup overflows when this hotel is steps away from the shops at CocoWalk and also offers a deep sea fishing package. Ahhh... Matey, its the rum talking.

Funnies aside, we're talking about the Mutiny Hotel in Miami. 12 story tower, 120 suites, outdoor heated swimming pool with whirlpool and spa and poolside deck chairs surrounded by swaying palms in a lush tropical setting, fitness center, sauna and steam room. Also accesible in the immediate vicinity of the Mutiny are jogging trails, bike rentals, beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, sailboat charters, restaurants and nightlife hot-spots.

The deep sea fishing package I was talking about includes 1 night accomodations, and 1/2 a day fishing trip for 2 people with all equipment included. Bring along your common sense (deep sea fishing is more difficult than it looks) and leave behind your seasickness. Oh, and after you book the package, call Captain Wayne at (786) 236-4842 to reconfirm your place on his fishing boat.

To make matters worse, whatever pathetic tiny creature you manage to coax out of the depths of the Atlantic will be cooked for you by the Mutiny's restaurant for $12.95 per piece. And don't forget your frickin' pirate eye-patch.

Package rates from $199. Valid until Dec 28 2008. With this rate, you get a 1-bedroom suite with a view of the Bay or the City, private balcony, a King bed, fully equipped kitchen, television with VCR, premium coffees and terry robes.

Info: 2951 South Bayshore Drive Miami Florida 33133; (305) 441-2100; www.mutinyhotel.com/

Romantic Escape at Half Moon Bay Lodge

You don't have to go looking for romantic things to do half way across the world. Half Moon Bay will do. The very name invokes a romantic essence wafting through the air. The sparkling blue ocean, the beautiful beach, the blooming flowery grass running alongside the coast, historical sites like Pillar Point Harbor, and the impeccable golf course on a bluff overlooking the ocean... All this adds to the laidback getaway quality that hangs over Half Moon Bay like a mist, 25 miles south of San Francisco.

And when you have a labor day weekend coming up and there's a quaint hotel offering a special romance package in such a romantic place a short drive from San Francisco, well, its not hard to deduce why the Half Moon Bay Lodge is considered as one of the premier romantic hotels in Northern California. Package includes 1 night stay for 2 in deluxe accomodations, sparkling wine and gourmet chocolate, a romantic gift basket, and complimentary late checkout. Rates from $279, inclusive of all taxes.

For this rate, you get a deluxe King room with a fireplace, private balcony or terrace with a view of either the landscaped garden or golf course. All rooms feature live plants, robes, coffee, refrigerators, and a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.

And if you want a couples massage for 2, call ahead with at least 72 hours notice. Oh, and this is a Best Western hotel, so book before August 29th, and you'll get a free $50 gift card. They also have a Stay & Play golf package and also a family fun package with complimentary beach blanket, beach toys, a kite and a selection of gourmet treats. Click here for more info about their specials and online booking.

Info: 2400 S. Cabrillo Highway Half Moon Bay CA 94019; (650) 726-9000; www.halfmoonbaylodge.com/

Book 1 Room, Get 1 Free at Hawaii Prince Hotel

The Hawaii Prince Hotel, Waikiki, is offering a 2 for 1 promotion - You book a room, you get one free. The complimentary room is based on double occupancy and must be of equal or lesser value than the 1st room booked. Dates of stay for both rooms must overlap. Valid until Decemer 22 2008. Watch out for the blackout dates, and make sure you're getting value for money, because rates per night, for the one room you need to pay for, begin from $390, which gives you an Oceanfront Marina room (or rooms, if you count the free one). More details and online booking here.

I was going to pass this one by, because they have other packages at rates starting from as low as $189 (for the same Oceanfront Marina room), but then, it comes to about the same, for two rooms. And the reason why I'm interested in this 2 for 1 promotion is because I was looking up family hotels in Oahu. Most hotels, including the Hawaii Prince, offer spacious suites designed to accomodate the entire family, along with a host of family-friendly amenities. It's way cheaper than booking two seperate rooms. Only problem is, you end up sleeping with the kids in the same suite. Kinda cramps your holiday fun a bit.

So let's say you do want two seperate rooms. That's about slightly less than $400 per night, which is on par with rates at comparable Honolulu hotels. The 420 sq ft oceanfront marina rooms are in between the 5th to 9th floors, with views of the ocean and Yacht Harbor. Contemporary decor, floor to ceiling windows that open. Beds are king or 2 beds assigned on arrival.

Speaking of par, mention needs to be made of their Golf Club, with 27 holes of championship golf. And the Hawaii Prince itself has a bit of an exhibitionist streak. 28 floors full of 521 oceanfront rooms and 57 luxury suites sit atop 5 floors worth of restaurants, lounges, meeting and banquet facilities, shops, and other guest and parking facilities.

All said and done, its one heck of a luxury resort with a fitness center, a business center over 20,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor meeting space, a day spa and beauty salon, multiple restaurants offering genuine Hawaiaan and Japanese cuisine. To top it off, the hotel is located 5 minutes from the Hawaii Convention Center, and 15 minutes from Honolulu International Airport, and just a short walk to the beaches.

Info: 100 Holomoana St Honolulu HI 96815; (888) 977-4623; www.princeresortshawaii.com/

Cocobelle Resort, Fort Lauderdale

No specials here, but the fact is that the Cocobelle Resort on Vistamar Street in Fort Lauderdale doesn't need to put on any specials to attract guests. If I was asked to describe the hotel, I'd say that the Cocobelle was the ubiquitous innocent girl next door - Beautiful, low maintenance, low profile, always welcomes you with a smile, and doesn't give you reason to complain. We're still talking about hotels. I think...

Anyway, you take a look yourself, and then consider the pros and cons. $119 average nightly rates with a choice of 16 rooms, studios and 1-bedroom suites, located 2 blocks and 5 minutes off the beach. In-room amenities include 1 King bed or 2 queens, coffee maker, microwave and a small refrigirator, full bathroom with hairdryers, cable TV with VCD/DVD player, and air-conditioning.

Free parking, free wireless internet and free local calls and cell phones available upon request. There's a neat tropical pool area with a large heated swimming pool. The poolside area has lounge chairs and a shaded table and chairs. Laundry facilities on-site, iron & ironing board available upon request, and you get beach towels when you check-in. No pets, no smoking and no spring break type college kids allowed. Some of the 1st floor units have their own private sitting area in the back.

In a nutshell, the Cocobelle ofers a cheap, homely and convinient lodgings to enjoy Fort Lauderdale vacations, and you have nothing to worry about when it comes to value for money. The hotel has been listed as the 'Best Bargain' in the United States by TripAdvisor in their 2008 travelers Choice listings, and it ranks 1st out of 140 Fort Lauderdale hotels listed in TripAdvisor.

Info: 2831 Vistamar Street Fort Lauderdale Florida 33304; (954) 561-5660; www.thecocobellehotel.com/

Discover Downtown Package from Millenium Hilton, NYC

If you want to wear your 'I Love NY' t-shirt and do NYC like it was meant to be done, then nothing better than the 'Discover Downtown Package' from the Millenium Hilton. After all, New York vacations are essentially all about shopping, theater, restaurants, museums, sight seeing and cruise rides around Manhattan.

Includes overnight accomodations and a $25 Century 21 gift card, 2-for-1 admission to nine lower Manhattan museums, $5.00 off CitySights NY Double Decker Downtown Tour & ZEPHYR Harbor Cruise, South Street Seaport gift bag, 15% off dining certificate to Alfama restaurant (Portugese cuisine) in the West Village, voucher for one complimentary champagne toast at Thalassa Restaurant (Greek cuisine) in Tribeca, and a 15% dining certificate to Church and Dey Restaurant.

And all of that for rates starting from $225 per night. Valid until Dec 31 2008. And this isn't the only special either. In fact, I've never seen so many specials being offered concurrently at other New York hotels. The other specials offered by the Millenium Hilton include the NYC Adventure package, 20% off the best available rates on Sunday, a special summer promo with rates from $189, a Shop and Stay package, Bloomingdale's Shop Til You Drop Package, and a Food Network Travel Package, among others. Click here for online booking and more information about the specials at the Millenium Hilton.

Info: 55 Church Street New York NY 10007; (212) 693-2001; Website

Hotelmare On Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach, it seems, is imperial for more than one reason. This impossibly beautiful beach front strip of land has no use for travelers. Or maybe it was just me. While hotels nationwide are struggling with dropping occupancy rates, Imperial Beach, just off San Diego, has only a handful of lodgings, and half of those are trash.

Don't get me wrong. For starters, of all the beaches I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot), Imperial Beach is probably the most scenic one ever. Secondly, I hate doing negative reviews. Usually, I just let it slide. But this was a bit too much - It was a hotelmare. I could just have booked in at any one of the hundreds of San Diego hotels. But I just wanted to stay at Imperial Beach. Is that too much to ask?

First hotel I went into, it was worse than a dump. Filthy rooms, rude staff and absolutely not worth even the $80 which they charged. I left after 20 minutes, paying a cancellation fee of $10. Next one I went to, it semmed pretty neat and clean and nice, and they didn't have a single room. I asked them if they would have a room the next day, and they said they were booked up well into the fall, and I could maybe try again next year. And with that, the clerk turned his back on me.

Which is when I gave up, and went back to San Diego. There were a couple more which I could have checked out, but after having voluntarily walked out of one, and being rejected out of hand at another one, I really didn't have the heart to face any more hotel heartbreak. I'm not naming names here, cause like I said, I don't do negative reviews. But note to the City of Imperial Beach - Build at least one good frickin' hotel.

Money Bags Special at Chamberlain West Hollywood

Feel like you're being taken for a ride by airlines and their new second bag check-in fees? Not when you're heading out for Los Angeles vacations. The Kor Hotel group's Los Angeles hotels are offering a 'Money Bags' special where they give you hotel credit matching the amount of your luggage fee, upto a maximum of $75. All you have to do to get the credit is to show your receipt at check-in. Participating hotels include the Chamberlain West Hollywood, Avalon Beverly Hills and Maison 140 Beverly Hills.

Use promo code 'MONEY' for online reservations, or visit the specials page on the Kor Hotel group's website, where you'll find other specials along with the Money Bags promo. This special is valid until Dec 29 2008. Rates per room, per night from $269 (taxes extra) based on single or double occupancy. The luggage receipt date must correspond to your hotel stay dates.

What you get for $269 is a Studio Suite, with other options all above $300. The studio suite for $269 is a 350 sq ft suite with a private bedroom separated from living room and work area. Bedroom features king bed with high thread count Italian linens, entertainment center with flat panel TV, DVD / CD player and VCR. Living room has spacious sitting area, large work desk and gas log fireplace, balcony.

The Chamberlain has 114 suites, and amenities and facilities include an American bistro restaurant and lounge, a rooftop heated pool with a sweeping view of the City, fitness and business centers with a conference room and additional meeting space, underground secure valet parking, dry cleaning and laundry services, along with maid service. Babysitting and childcare available on request. Wireless internet is available both in-room and in the public areas, but you have to pay for access.

Info: 1000 Westmount Drive West Hollywood California 90069; (310) 657-7400; www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com/

Endless Summer 2008 in Orlando - Get One Free

The Orlando Travel & Visitors Bureau has just spiked interest in Orlando vacations with something called Orlando’s Endless Summer. From August 15 through November 15, under the "Get One Free" offer, if you book a weekend retreat for two nights you get the third night free. Or buy one attractions ticket and get the second one free. More details here and here's the list of participating Orlando hotels.

And September is also Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, when participating restaurants will feature three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $19 or $29. Click here for more details and a list of participating restaurants.

Nothing much to say, except that free nights and free tickets to attractions are always in vogue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this is the first time that I'm seeing the Orlando Visitors Bureau focusing on the other and more conventional things to do in Orlando for tourists and visitors, like dining and sightseeing and shopping and hotel discounts, etc... Everything else besides the theme parks, that is.

If you're thinking Orlando sounds good for a late summer blowout holiday, then you might want to sync your trip to coincide with some major events, so you get more bang for the buck. Here's a full and searchable list of events scheduled in Orlando for the near future.

$26.99 per night in Vegas - Sam's Town Getaway Summer Special

Sounds hard to believe, but its true. $26.99 per night at Sam's Town Casino, Las Vegas, until Sept 30 2008. Minimum 2 nights booking and taxes extra. You get either a deluxe room with a King bed or a deluxe with two double beds. Use promo code SUMMER8. I don't think you'll find a better deal at any of the Las Vegas hotels. More details about the specials and packages at Sam's Town can be found here.

The rooms are 375 sq ft in size with in-room hairdryer and iron/ironing Board, cable channels and movies, high speed internet connection available, with park view based on availability at $10.00 extra per night. You can also ask for rollaway beds and cribs, and refrigerators, if you need these things.

There's also a snug swimming pool lined with Palm trees, and lounge chairs to soak in the sun and the scenery. Roxy's Lounge has live bands and entertainment with sizzling headliners. Multiple dining options to satisfy every taste is available, including Billy Bob's SteakHouse & Saloon, Firelight Buffett, Willy and Jose's Cantina, Panda Express and a wealth of cafes for sandwiches, coffee and quick bites, along with an ice cream parlour and even a McDonald's and a Dunkin' Donuts.

If you're looking for cheap Las Vegas vacations with a bit of resort getaway downtime along with evenings lit up with Vegas style entertainment, then this Sam's Town summer getaway special is just what the doctor ordered. In fact, its actually a bit out of the way from the sizzling things to do in Las Vegas, so while its still signature Vegas, you do get some respite from the extravaganza and the breathless adrenalin pumping excitement of the Strip.

Info: 5111 Boulder Highway Las Vegas NV 89122; (702) 456-7777; www.samstownlv.com/

Hybrid happiness at the Allegro Hotel, Chicago

Chi-town and the myriad things to do in Chicago seem to be getting a lot of attention these days, and well primed to take full advantage of the spurt of interest in Chicago vacations is Kimpton's Allegro Hotel, sharing space with the historic Cadillac Palace Theatre in the trendy North Loop theatre district.

Social undercurrents are roiling the MidWest as the old mixes with the new, hip and cool Chicago - High-rise buildings in historic locations, green, environment-friendly lifestyle clashing with conspicous consumption, a fusion mix of art, theatre, jazz, rock concerts and tech gizmos.

And Chicago hotels sure know how to keep atop this changing culture with packages and specials designed to appeal to these social needs. Take for instance, the hybrid happiness package from the Allegro - deluxe accomodations, complimentary valet parking for your hybrid vehicle and a hosted wine reception in the lobby. Rates from $349. For this price, you get a Queen room, with 350 thread count Frette linens, 37" LCD HD flat-screen TV with cable access and on-demand movies, iHome docking station with alarm clock, fully-stocked honor bar with organic options, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, in-room safe designed to accommodate laptops, and Aveda bath amenities.

There's other packages like Metra Escape. Ride the Metra, present your stamped Metra ticket at check-in and you'll het $10 room credit per adult, valid for any food or beverage purchase, a guide for public transport and trolley use, and a hosted wine reception. And Kimpton makes a $10 donation to the Trust for Public Land for every Metra Escape package booked.

Click here for online booking and to see details about these and other specials at the Allegro.

Info: 171 West Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601; (800) 643-1500; www.allegrochicago.com/

Seattle Staycation, Virtual Golf at Hotel 1000

Search a thousand Seattle hotels for that really special 'special', and what you get is a Seattle Staycation package at the Hotel 1000 where you can play virtual golf in 'The Golf Club' which magically transports you to authentic and fabulous championship courses from Pebble Beach in Carmel to Princeville on Kauai.

In addition to the two rounds of virtual golf, the package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, 25% discount on spa services in 'The Spaahh at Hotel 1000', two tickets to the Seattle Art Museum, picnic lunch for two to enjoy at a destination of your choice within Seattle, and complimentary overnight valet parking. Rates from $299. Call (877) 315-1088 for reservations or visit the site for online booking and more details.

This hotel is a bit 'different' and more geeky than most other hotels you're ever going to see. For starters, the bathtubs fill from the ceiling. Then there's the 'intelligent' private bar service which takes privacy to a new level. The tech wizardry doesn't stop there either. Smart infra-red technology controls the temperature, the 'Do Not Disturb' signs are electronic, complimentary wireless internet and a 40" LCD HDTV await you in the rooms, and here's the kicker - even the art display is intelligent, and controlled and changed based on your preferences.

In addition to the Golf Club, the hotel also offers a full service spa, a fitness center, and a business center with individual workstations and 6200 sq ft of meeting and conference space.

Info: 1000 First Avenue Seattle WA 98104; (206) 957-1000; www.hotel1000seattle.com/

August Tasting Menu on Delta King Sacramento

Its considered good form to have dinner and take in a show aboard the Delta King riverboat when you happen to be in Sacramento. Kinda like one of the must-visit attractions for Sacramento vacations. And August happens to be a well.. august month for literally tasting the menu on the floating hotel cum restaurant cum theater moored in downtown Old Sacramento.

That's because the PilotHouse restaurant is offering a 4-course tasting menu until Aug 31 2008. First course of Oysters on the 1/2 shell with yuzu and ginger granita, second course of black seabass, a third one with duck breast and the last one with Duet of Parfait (lemon and blackberry cheesecake with chocolate amaretto cream). Prepared by chef Julian Vasquez, $36 for dinner and $13 for wine. For reservations, call (916) 441-4440.

You'll have to check their website for the latest shows being staged in the theater, and if you want to go the whole hog and book in for a floating hotel room, the Delta King offers 44 ornately decorated and completely renovated staterooms with either a view of the Sacramento River or Old Town Sacramento. Have to warn you, though, that the place is darn pretty in the late evenings, with the lights twinkling on the river and the peace and serene calm and slow pace of Sacramento, coupled with the sumptous feasts and the theater and well... its kinda addictive, and you'll hate to let go of it. Best part is the price - rates starting from $81 per night.

As far as floating hotels go, there isn't really anything to compare with, except for the Queen Mary, but as far as Sacramento hotels are concerned, you won't find much else which offers such a comprehensive mix of accomodation, entertainment, location, views and dining - A true Sacramento experience which you shouldn't miss.

Info: 1000 Front Street Old Sacramento CA 95814; www.deltaking.com/;
Tel: Delta King Hotel - (800) 825-5464 & (916) 444-5464; Delta King Theatre - (916) 995-5464; Pilothouse Restaurant - (916) 441-4440

Best Western Stovall's Inn Anaheim

All of America is taking cookie-cutter Anaheim vacations in cookie-cutter chain hotels. Bad as it might sound, there must be something to it if so many people are doing 'it'. And the 'it' is the Best Western Stovall's Inn - Cheap rooms spacious enough to pack in the entire family, decent facilities and perfect location slam-bang directly across the street from Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center.

The guest rooms are equipped with mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, iron & ironing boards, hairdryers, high-speed wireless internet and the hotel offers a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. Amenities for guests include a business center and fully equipped fitness center.

And what's it got for the family? Well, other than the free breakfast, children under 17 stay free, you get free parking, there's 2 swimming pools, 2 spas & a children's wading pool, a coin-operated laundry and laundry and valet service. And a restaurant next door serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then there's the Disneyland shuttle, sighseeing tours and park hopper tickets (ask at the front desk).

Last, but most important, you get an extra-large room with two double beds, seperate vanity area and bathroom (and all the stuff mentioned above) at rates starting from $85 per night (for a family of four, with two adults and two children). Plus, stay 3 consecutive nights, and you get a $25 gas card (offer valid until Sept 30 2008). Factor in the gas card and your hotel bill gets slashed to $230 for 3 nights.

Info: 1110 W Katella Avenue Anaheim CA 92802; (714) 778-1880; www.stovallsinn.com/

Got BART? 20% Off at Kimpton Hotels San Francisco

Riding the BART used to be the fun part of San Francisco vacations. Now its also a good way to shave 20% off your hotel bill. Show your ticket stub from BART, Amtrak or Caltrain, and you're entitled to 20% off on the best available rate at any one of the Kimpton Hotels in San Francisco.

Valid until December 31 2008. Participating hotels include Argonaut Hotel, Harbor Court Hotel, Hotel Monaco San Francisco, Hotel Triton, Hotel Palomar San Francisco, Prescott Hotel, Serrano Hotel and the Sir Francis Drake. Call (800) 546-7866 or visit the Kimpton website for more details about the offer and online booking. Use promo code RTR.

Not to make too big a deal about it, but the Triton is the greenest (green as in eco-friendly green) of the lot, while the Drake is the oldest and kindof an institution if you're looking for more than just a hotel room.

And the Argonaut is the most kid-friendly of the lot - Which is saying a lot since they're all Kimptons, which are all extremely good family hotels, with the Kimpton Kids program and other stuff meant to breed loyalty among family travelers. In addition to the usual stuff that Kimpton hotels have, the Argonaut has a great location on Fisherman's Wharf.

Spa Treatment Package At Beacon Hotel Miami

Miami vacations mean squat unless you enjoy the guilty pleasures of one of the high-end South Beach spas which proliferate on the oceanfront like weeds in an unkept garden. Thankfully, almost all the oceanfront Miami hotels have an in-house spa or offer discounted referrrals to one of the nearby spas. Point is, I was just looking through the spa offerings in Miami, and a couple of good spa packages from the Beacon Hotel on Ocean Drive caught my eye.

The first, a spa treatment pacakge, includes room accommodation, 15% off all spa treatments at Miami City Massage. Minimum 2 nights booking required. Rates starting from $159 ($199 for weekends). The second package, called 'Calma ', is a bit more comprehensive and offers two nights and three days in an ocean front room with two certificates for a 45 minute Swedish massage at Le Spa, and valet parking. $284 per night ($344 per night if you book for a weekend). More details about these and other specials from the Beacon Hotel here.

The room that comes with the Calma package has a King bed with a sweeping view of the Atlantic, and is furnished with in-room safe, mini-bar, flat panel LCD TV, cable TV, complimentary wireless high speed Internet, and complimentary breakfast from 9-11 am. The rooms are pristine white, with glistening marble flooring and luxurious haeavy furnishings. Large windows with light drapes cover nearly half the wall and offer a sweeping view of the Ocean.

The Rendezvous restaurant and 'The Bar' make up the dining and drinking options, with both in-door and out-door seating. Other than this, the Beacon offers all the usual amenities like room service, concierge services, valet laundry and turn-down. All said and done, not a bad way to spend a weekend exploring the things to do in Miami, with a couple of relaxing spa treatments at Le Spa, valet parking and a free breakfast thrown in. Sounds like an ideal getaway.

Info: 720 Ocean Drive Miami Beach FL 33139; (305) 674-8200; www.beacon-hotel.com/

Labor Day Hotel Sale & Specials

The clock's ticking out the summer, and Labor Day is almost here. Made plans for the Labor Day weekend? If you haven't had time yet, here's a listing of Labor Day specials and packages for hotels nationwide.

Expedia has a nice listing of 3 and 4 day labor weekend discount deals with air+hotel packages, and gas rebates. Rates from $373. Details here.

Orbitz's Insider Index offers up details about the top 10 Labor Day getaways, along with a promo for flight + hotel package for 3+ nights. Receive $50 off instantly when you book a flight + hotel package for 3+ nights to any of our destinations when you enter promo code LABOR50. Travel must occur between August 29 and September 8. Book by September 1. Details here.

Missing from both these offers are Labor Day specific destinations with family hotels and things to do on vacation which are especially relevant on Labor Day. One such location is Mackinaw City, MI, where the Grand Hotel On Mackinac Island has a Labor Day Jazz package. If you're there, don't miss the Mackinac Bridge walk on Sept 1.

Fall for Hawaii Special at ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel

The ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel is offering a 1 night free special - 3rd night free if you pay for 2 nights. Offer includes a free "Breakfast on the Beach", 2-for-1 Luau, an Aloha Book, free daily newspaper, free wifi service, and children receive a free toy at check-in. Offer valid until Dec 25th 2008. Rates from $174 for an oceanview room. More details here.

Before you start packing and dreaming about Honolulu vacations with Hula dances and Tiki restaurants and snooze-fests on Waikiki beach, you might want to take a look at the weather forecasts, because some volcano just blew its top in Hawaii, and the resultant spew of volcanic ash has closed down flights for the moment. But it should be clear in a day or so.

Comparing this offer with other Honolulu hotels is a bit like apples and oranges, since very few 'decent' hotels actually offer a 3rd night free in Oahu. Getting a good hotel room on the beach, with a view of the ocean, for less than $100 per night is a pipe-dream, even in late summer.

For the record, rooms at the ResortQuest Waikiki sport a cool decor with a tropical tinge and are equipped with air conditioning, a 32" flat-screen TV, and refrigerator. Most of the rooms have partial or full oceanviews, with a private lanai. Standard size rooms aren't all that big, but big enough to comfortably accomodate at least 2 people, with 1 King Bed or two doubles. Standard rates (for online booking) from $225.

On the 2nd floor of the hotel is the cavernous and popular Tiki's Grill & Bar, with lots of space and even more people, ofefring up sumptous seafood and Hawaiaan specials like Coconut Shrimp and Kalua Pig Quesadillas for appetizers, and entrees like a Hawaiian Plate of kalua pig, lau lau, lomi salmon, ahi poke, and coconut haupia.

And since the hotel is located on Kalakaua Avenue, its a pretty good place to start an exploration of all the things to do in Honolulu.

Info: 2570 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu HI 96815; (877) 997-6667; Website

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego Staycation Package

Finally, SoCal residents can enjoy smokin hot San Diego vacations without having to shell out the big dough on upscale San Diego hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter. That's cause the Hard Rock hotel is offering a Staycation package for Southern California residents.

During the summer months, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is extending a special discounted rate to Southern California residents of $199 per night, Sunday through Thursday for studio accommodations, with a complimentary upgrade to a Hard Rock Suite, or $239 per night Friday and Saturday for studio accommodations with a complimentary upgrade to a Hard Rock Suite. The rate is valid from August 1 through September 30 and is subject to availability.

In a press statement regarding the package, Eric Seise, hotel manager at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, says that "The word Staycation can be wonderfully appealing in a city like San Diego. There are so many things to do here and we are just a short drive from the L.A, Orange County and Inland Empire areas. We have it all here at the Hard Rock Hotel including luxury accommodations, awesome restaurants, a spa, nightlife and an ideal location. It’s everything you would fly to places like Vegas or Miami to experience."

Click here for more details or call (888) 593-6177.

The entire hotel is a party animal's dream come true, but special mention needs to be made of the Moonstone Lounge and the poolside area. As it is, the Gaslamp has acquired a rep for Vegas style hard partying, but even for the Gaslamp, the sizzling heat of the Moonstone Lounge with a crush of bodies and parties within parties mixing it up with alcohol fueled abondon is something special.

The guest rooms are equally 'different', with a nod to Rock N'Roll memorabilia, and a mix of funkiness and luxury catering to both music and baseball fans come to enjoy the offerings of the Ballpark. All said and done, this staycation package bridges the gap between the haves in the luxury suites and the have-nots partying poolside, and on the streets.

Info: 207 5th Ave San Diego CA 92101; (619) 702-3000; www.hardrockhotelsd.com/