The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘hotel deals’

This week we thought we’d share some of of our secrets to finding the best travel deals on the internet.  I know families that spend hours searching for the best deals and in the end just give up.  So, every Wednesday we post what we believe to be some of the best travel deals for families each week.  We also tweet sweet deals throughout the week.  However, we’re often asked where we find these deals and how we keep on top of them.  Great question – so, this week we’ll share some of our favorite websites for finding travel deals.

1. Travelzoo – This is one of the most comprehensive travel deal websites out there.  Every Wednesday, they post their Top 20 travel deals for the week, which is a great supplement to what we post here.  They’ve sorted their deals by type and region, which makes it pretty easy to find the perfect deal for you.  We also love the fact that they also partner with travel providers to secure special promotions for their readers.  Check it out and subscribe to their newsletter.
2. Slickdeals – A relative newcomer, Slickdeals is a compilation of user forums where folks just like you post deals in various categories.  Although the Travel category (under Hot Deals) isn’t bustling with activity, you will find lots of great deals every week.  We find that the quality of travel deals that are posted far outweigh the lack of quantity.
3. FlyerTalk – Run by Frequent Flyer Guru Randy Petersen, this is a great place to discover air and hotel deals.  The Mileage Run Deals and Hotel Deals forums in the Miles and Points section is an excellent place to catch mistake fares and low hotel rates as well as long-haul flights at discount prices.  As the community has grown (as a result of extensive publicity), the deals have become more scarce and even the hotel chains and airlines troll to discover their own mistakes.  This has created a subculture or that trades deals privately – of course, you’ll be out of luck unless you’re an “insider”.

Happy Deal Hunting!  Check back next week as we provide more deals for your summer family travel.

Disclosure

It’s deal day again and this week we have come up with some spectacular savings on hotels for an early summer family vacation getaway.  Most of these are time sensitive, so be sure to book now!

• Ramada is offering 40% off during its 72-hour sale.  This promotion is valid for unlimited stays from May 1st-27th at properties in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.  The only catch – you must book by 11:50PM EST on April 29th using the link above.  Act fast!
• If you are looking for a bit of R&R, try the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, California.  Use Promotion Code: PZOO and get up to 50% off.  Blackout dates apply.
• If you’re a family looking to travel on the cheap in Europe over the Memorial Day holiday, check out HostelBookers 20 cent promotion.  Reserve up to two beds at any one of ten properties for stays between May31st and June 4th for only €0.20.  This promotion is capacity controlled and subject to lots of terms and conditions, so be sure to read them before you book.  Promotion valid through April 30, 2010.
• Interested in visiting the Smokey Mountains?  American Patriot Getaways is offering one and two bedroom cabins for $99/night for Travelzoo readers.  Stay select dates through June 15th and enter promo code TZOO to enjoy up to 60% off!

Have fun and travel safe!

Disclosure

In anticipation of National Parks Week (April 17th-25th), we’re focusing on the best lodging deals being offered by National Park Concessioners.  Most of these deals are valid during National Parks Week only or must be booked by April 25, 2010, so act fast!

• Mount Ranier National Park concessioner, Mt. Ranier Guest Services, is offering a free night at the historic National Park Inn when you purchase one night at regular rates (from $111).  Valid for any weekday stay (Sunday-Thursday) through 4/29.  Package includes complimentary afternoon tea and one day snowshoe rental.  Call 360-569-2275 for reservations.

The following deals are all being offered by Aramark Parks and Destinations and may be reserved online using this special link.

• Olympic National Park concessioner, Aramark, is giving guests a generous deal at all three of its park lodgings.  When you stay one night (from $157), you will receive another night for free.  This promotion is valid for stays between April 17th and 25th at both the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Kalaloch Lodge and between May 7th and 31st at the Lake Crescent Lodge (must be booked by April 25th). 
• At Shenandoah National Park, you can stay two nights at Skyland Resort for the price of one.  Rates start at just $125 and valid from April 18 through April 29.  Check out our article on Shenandoah before you go!
• Two nights at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park will cost you only $99 when you stay between April 22 and April 30.  This is a great deal for a family weekend getaway!
• If you are planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park by June 28th, you may want to take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free offer at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge located 44 miles from Yellowstone.  Reserve one of their cabins by April 25th for stays between May 21st and June 28th to get this offer.

Check out more National Parks Week deals online.

Disclosure

This week, we’re grabbing the best of the best deals and putting them together all in one place.  As always, these super deals disappear fast, so don’t dawdle - book now!

• Let’s start with a deal that we tweeted earlier this week – if you’re not on our Twitter feed yet, sign-up, because you won’t want to miss out on some of the awesome deals we tweet your way.  Ramada is again offering 50% off best available rates at properties in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America.  Reserve your room by 11:50PM EST on February 12, 2010 for travel through March 31, 2010.  We found rates as low as $19.50/night -WOW!  You must use the special link above to take advantage of these special rates.  These rates do not qualify for commission or Wyndham Reward points.
• Thinking about sneaking away for Valentine’s Day without the kids?  Try the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  With rates for Valentine’s weekend (Feb 12-15 only) fixed at $139/night for any available room type, this is the perfect romantic getaway!  Or, if you don’t mind bringing the kids, their Premium Two Bedroom Cottages (sleeps 6) are still available at just $139/night!  That’s right – the regular rate on this cottage is $459/night, so this is an absolute steal!  Use the link above, click on “Corporate/Promotions” and enter code VDAY10 to book these rates.
• Southwest Airlines started the most recent fare-war with its Travel Near With Your Dear $39 one-way short-haul specials.  Now, most major airlines have jumped on the bandwagon, opening up lots more possibilities for travel from March 15 – May 25.  Discount fares are valid for travel Mon-Thurs and Saturday.  You must reserve by Thursday, February 11, 2010.
• Let’s wrap this up with a few new and exciting cruise deals that we’ve found.  On April11, 2010, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas sets sail on a 14 night trans-atlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.  Family Oceanview cabins are now available for just over $3,100 for a family of four.  These 338SF cabins will actually accommodate up to six guests with a pullout sofa in the sitting area and a separate bunk area.  This is a unique itinerary on an activity packed ship in a spacious family cabin for a great price.
• If it’s cheap you want, it’s cheap they got.  Carnival is offering up a 7 night sailing from San Juan on March 7th onboard the Carnival Victory for only $359 per person in an inside cabin.  The same rate applies to all passengers sharing a cabin, so you could split up the family into two adjoining cabins and double your space!  Rates on the Destiny’s 5 night sailing from Miami on March 22nd have also come down a bit.  For $259 per person ($20 less for 3rd/4th) you can sail in an inside cabin on a unique itinerary.
• Finally, not to be left out, NCL has rolled out some savings on its March 21st, 7 night sailing from Miami onboard the Norwegian Jewel.  With inside cabins from $419 per person ($179 for 3rd/4th), a family of four can get away for under $1,600.  Also on tap is the Norwegian Pearl’s April 24th repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver.  Mini-suites start at $749 per person with 3rd/4th passengers sailing for only $129!  Of course, you can also sail inside from just $379.

Well, that’s the best of the best for this week.  We’ll keep our eyes open for more great deals and tweet them along.  Happy travels!

Disclosure

As the busy spring travel season approaches, BookIt has embarked on a month-end closeout sale that offers lots of family friendly resort destinations at up to 70% off.  Here are three top destination picks:

1. Orlando – With 4-star resort rates starting at $69 including free meals for the kids, Orlando is a hotspot this year as hoteliers scramble to fill empty rooms.
2. Cancun/Riviera Maya – There are some great family friendly resorts like the Ocean Coral and Turquesa by H10 offering all-inclusive resort packages from $89 pp per night.  Best of all, up to 2 kids age 5 and under stay free.
3. Puerto Plata – With low rates all around, the family friendly all-inclusive resorts of the Dominican Republic are offering deals from $59 pp per night, even during peak travel dates.  Kids stay free promotions are more scarce, so total pricing may be higher than deals noted above.

Promotions expire between January 28 and February 1, 2010, depending upon resort and destination.

Hyatt hotels is also offering a couple of promotions this spring:

1. Get More – Hyatt’s latest promotion offers up to $50 credit per night to be used at select full-service hotels and resorts.  Valid for reservations made between January 4 and March 17, 2010 for stays through April 30, 2010.
2. Three For Free - You can get one free night, a free one category upgrade and free breakfast for 2 daily at one of 19 resorts worldwide.  Offer varies by property.  Most are valid through April 30, 2010.

Last but not least, the Yellowstone Park Hotel, located in West Yellowstone, Montana is offering $59 rates through the winter season.  With an indoor pool and hot tub, refrigerator, microwave and 32″ flat panel TV in every room and a central location, this is the best family hotel deal in town.

Check back tomorrow for more deals on Yellowstone area accommodations.

Disclosure

As we get closer to spring break and the winter weather continues to hammer much of the country, travel deals are becoming a bit more scarce.  This week, I’m looking at deals across all categories of travel to come up with the very best deals.

Let’s start with the simple – Marriott is offering up to 40% off it’s regular weekend rates at select participating worldwide hotels for stays through March 21, 2010.  Reservations must be completed by January 22, 2010 and include a Friday or Saturday night stay.  The best part is that you can also get the discount on their Stay For Breakfast rates, which includes breakfast for two adults and two kids 12 and under.

Moving on to the adventurous – Disney Cruise Line is offering an amazing deal on it’s April 10, 2010 transatlantic sailing aboard Disney Magic.  Sailing from Port Canaveral to Castaway Cay, Madeira, Cadiz and Barcelona, this 14 night repositioning cruise only happens a couple of times each year.  An Inside Guarantee is priced at $799 $699 for the the 1st and 2nd passengers and $464-$699 $389-$599 for 3rd and 4th passengers, depending upon age.  A family of four with two young kids can do this trip for $2,880 $2,455!  One-way airfare back from Barcelona might be pricey, but this would be a great time to use your frequent flyer miles.

And finally…the unique – The Tyler Place Family Resort offers a far from ordinary experience at it’s small family resort in Highgate Springs, Vermont.  Catering to families, this all-inclusive getaway is like nowhere you’ve been before.  Pre-season dates (May 28-June 19) are available at up to 50% off regular rates.  For as little as $363/night for a family of four, you can enjoy this all inclusive waterfront location where there is no TV, no video games and lots of quality family time.

Disclosure

With its mild winter temperatures and year-round sunshine, Palm Springs, California makes a great winter destination for families looking to escape the cold, snowy weather in other parts of the country.  Even in the dead of winter, average highs hover around 70°F, but plunge into the 40′s overnight.  The best time to visit is March-April or October-November when temperatures are most comfortable.

Palm Springs offers lots of family friendly attractions.  Our top three attractions focus on the outdoors, because after all, when you’re here, you’re looking to enjoy the sunshine, right?

1. Joshua Tree National Park – Situated in the desert just one hour from Palm Springs, this park offers something for all ages and is a great spot for a picnic or overnight camping.  The West entrance at Joshua Tree is located 5 miles south of Highway 62, which can be easily accessed from Palm Springs.
2. The Living Desert – A Zoo of sorts, this expansive desert oasis takes you through North America all the way to the villages of Africa while exploring wildlife in a “natural” environment.  Perfect for kids of all ages, this park is located in Palm Desert, about 25 minutes from Palm Springs.
3. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – A cool oasis in summer and a snow covered playground in winter, the Mount San Jacinto Park and Wilderness offers a quick getaway for hiking, exploring, sledding, snowshoeing and skiing.  The tramway is located on the western edge of Palm Springs off of Highway 111.

The closest airport is Palm Springs International, located just miles from downtown.  Most major airlines offer seasonal or year-round service from major west coast cities (Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Phoenix, Portland, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton), but expect to pay a premium.  Ontario (62 miles), San Diego (84 miles) and Los Angeles (106 miles) are usually cheaper alternatives, all within a two-hour drive of Palm Springs.

Unless you intend on hibernating at a downtown resort, you definitely will want to rent a car, even if you are flying into Palm Springs.  There is no public transportation to Joshua Tree, so a rental car will be essential if you plan a visit there.  Outside of downtown Palm Springs, there is little traffic and getting around the area is pretty straight forward.

TIP: We usually fly into Los Angeles and drive to Palm Springs.  Not only is the airfare cheaper, but so isn’t the rental car.  Making your way across I-10 during peak travel periods can be a challenge, so avoid rush hour and weekend travel if you can.

One thing that there isn’t a shortage of in Palm Springs is hotels.  With everything from the no-frills roadside motel to the 5-star spa resort, Palm Springs offers visitors lots of choices.  If you are visiting in the winter months, remember that evenings do get quite chilly and some hotels may not heat their outdoor pool during the winter season.  Choosing a hotel within walking distance to downtown will provide for easy access to restaurants and nighttime shopping, especially during the peak season when downtown parking can be a challenge.

Weekday stays will yield the best availability and cheapest rates.  Expect weekends to be more crowded and more expensive, especially in the peak winter season.  In the past, we’ve stayed at both the Quality Inn and Vagabond Inn, each about a mile from the action.  For under $70/night for a January midweek stay, the Quality Inn is a good value.  You may find lower rates at other hotels in the immediate area, depending upon your dates.

If it’s convenience you’re after, try the Colony Palms Hotel or Viceroy Palm Springs.  Both upscale hotels are located within walking distance of downtown and offer January midweek rates starting around $119/night.  With a full service spa and luxurious surroundings, either hotel will make for the perfect getaway.

Over the next two days, we’ll be highlighting some of the areas finest attractions (hint – see our list above).  With family friendly attractions, lots of outdoor activities and mild temperatures, this desert oasis will soon become your kid’s favorite.

Disclosure

Whenever I make travel reservations via the internet, I always try to find a coupon or discount in addition to whatever rebates that may be available.  After years of searching for a one-stop website for coupon codes and discounts, I stumbled upon RetailMeNot.  Having used this website almost exclusively for the last year, I can tell you that it has the most extensive listing of coupon codes on the internet…that doesn’t mean that they always work. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re going out with a bang and ringing in the new year with hotel deals that will help you loose pounds – off the price that is. Ramada’s Encore brand is having a special £20.10 sale at hotels throughout the UK.  Book between December 14th and 20th or January 1st and 8th for stays through February 28, 2010 and pay just £20.10 per night including VAT.  These rates are pre-paid and non-refundable.  Family rooms are available at select hotels. Read the rest of this entry »

I just discovered a great new resource for hotel loyalty reward information and it brought back memories of the days when I was a mileage and point junkie.  Can you imagine staying at hotels or flying around the world just to earn points and miles…with no other purpose?

My craziest adventure was flying to Singapore on two consecutive weekends just to earn miles and elite status with Northwest Airlines.  I didn’t do it the easy way either…trip one took me from Washington DC to Detroit to Seattle to Tokyo to Singapore and back.  But the second trip was insane – Washington DC to Memphis to Los Angeles to Honolulu to Tokyo to Singapore and back.  Those were the days…before kids of course. Read the rest of this entry »