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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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