According to Hotel News Now, several major hotel companies have upgraded their existing loyalty programs for the fall season. Ritz-Carlton, Best Western, Hyatt and Starwood Hotels & Resorts have something more to offer their loyal guests for the new year. For greater detail, click the link below.
Forget everything you’ve heard about Oahu. Chances are, the only thing you do know about Oahu is that Honolulu is the hub for your inter island flight connection. So…… again I say, forget about the interisland flight. In fact, go ahead and miss your interisland flight, rent a car and drive 45 minutes to the North Shore of Oahu where you will find authentic Hawaii….you know, the Hawaii everyone dreams about and hopes to see one day.
I just returned from Turtle Bay Resort after spending a week roaming the miles of sandy beach unfettered by progress and development. The only human activity spotted along the shores were sunbathers, surfers and snorkelers enjoying the beautiful sand and sea. Here, the sea turtles are seen from shore. Named for the bay where these turtles swim just steps from your oceanfront room, this Hawaiian resort is truly the O’hana Hawaiian experience. O’hana in Hawaii means family. Stay for a day and you will feel just like family on this part of the island. Welcomed like a cousin who has returned from a distant land, guests are treated like family by all who meet you in the corridors, on the beach, in the restaurants, in fact, everywhere!
Our housekeeper Trina made sure to ask if we slept well as we approached the elevator in the morning. Downstairs, the bellman who delivered us to our room wanted to know if we had tried the Haupia pie at Ted’s. When we told him yes, he wanted to know how many we were taking home to our friends. The waiter in the restaurant found out we were looking for an art gallery and sent over his friend to enlighten us about her very own local artist’s paintings. Oh, Haupia pie……it’s a secret you have to experience for yourself right there on the North Shore at Ted’s Bakery!
“Nuff Hotels” the locals say about Turtle Bay Resort…Not sure as a hotelier, I can say the same but…. secretly… I do agree! Go to Turtle Bay. And did I mention Ted’s?
Labor Day is fast approaching and many of us are still looking for that perfect getaway…. we have found some great deals especially if you want to stay the night of Labor Day and miss the traffic home. The Chaminade Resort and Spa in Santa Cruz is offering 50% off on Labor Day …plus breakfast for two! Stay two nights Labor Day weekend and get 50% off Labor Day….including breakfast for two. Call 800.283.6569 to book your Labor Day Weekend getaway.
The Plaza Suites Hotel in Santa Clara is also offering a great family package to Great America over Labor Day. They usually throw a great barbecue over the weekend as well around their beautiful pool so you can relax after a day at the park.
In San Diego, do not miss The Mission Valley Resort. Located freeway close to all the attractions including Sea World, Old Town and the beaches, call or book their Labor Day special rate of $85 per night. This includes complimentary parking and wi-fi.
The latest craze in hotel packages pairs movie releases with hotel accommodations. Last year Kimpton Hotels cashed in on the release of Night at the Museum and featured their Washington D.C. hotel in a package including tickets to the Smithsonian. This year’s entertainment marketing machine has Miami’s Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove partnered with a local movie theater to offer a creative weekend-getaway package. This package coincided with the release of the new film based on the best-selling novel Eat, Pray, Love.
The story takes place in Indonesia, India and Rome, and to honor the theme, guests watch the film in a private theater while enjoying an Italian “picnic dinner,” complete with wine or champagne. The package also includes a meditation session at the local Dharma Studio, followed by an Indian dinner.
Way to go Sonesta Bay Coconut Grove! Since the package is no longer available on their site, we recommend you choose any one of their other great hotel packages and sneak in the movie on your own.
The Best Western Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego just announced a new weekend rate of $69. This offer is valid on weekends through March and has certain restrictions. Why stay home when you can enjoy beautiful weather, Old Town sites and sounds, a plethora of Old Town dining and history and spectacular views at this famous San Diego, California attraction?
Even In today’s economy, studies show that travelers will be getting away from it all in larger numbers than last year and for very good reason. Vacations are a tremendous value now. To take advantage of these vacation values, you should know where to find and how to book them. The very best hotel packages are generally found directly on the hotel’s own web site. Most travel booking web sites are Online Travel Agencies. Historically, these have claimed to get you the best deal. What a deal is to some can be a disaster for others. Travelers want the best experience at the best vacation value. Each one of us knows what we want to experience on our getaway and we definitely want the best value for this experience. So what to do? Book directly with the hotel. Here’s why:
There are many reason to book directly with the hotel or resort. Here are 6 to remember:
1. It’s Your Best Value on the Internet You won’t find a lower rate online….If you do, the hotel will normally honor it!
2. Book Now, Pay Later Hotels and resorts will process your online reservation, yet normally they will not charge your credit card until you check-in.
3. Changes are Easy to Make Changes to your reservation (dates or type of accommodations) can be made easily because you’re communicating directly with the hotel’s front desk or reservations center — not a third-party travel agency. Note: Cancellations are normally due 48 hours in advance of check-in.
4. No Booking Fees There is no middle man (online travel agency) to raise the room rates or cause delays in bookings. The hotel/resort directly controls room availability and the rates you find on this web site.
5. Privacy When you make a booking or sign up to receive a hotel/resort’s specials, you don’t have to worry about your information being shared or sold to anyone else.
6. Security Your bookings normally made on a secure system and your information is automatically encrypted, so you should have nothing to worry about.
Check out GetawayPackages.com for all sorts of hotel package deals.
So the December holidays are over, you’re bank account is empty, you really want to experience a tropical paradise but flying this month is out of the question. What to do? If you live in Southern California, Arizona or Nevada…get set, ready, drive to San Diego. Once you arrive in San Diego program your GPS for Shelter Island and prepare to enter the land of Aloha.
Never heard of Shelter Island? This intimate, man-made island in the blue waters of San Diego’s big bay is home to four Hawaiian style resort hotels, each of which overlooks the bay, downtown San Diego, Coronado and did I say San Diego’s beautiful, calm bay? With the temperature this week hovering around 78 degrees….this is it. Paradise found. Rates as low as $119 per night.
