Hotel and Travel Deals Blog

Normally we wouldn’t post a hotel deal that rings in at $999—we don’t come across that many and frankly, most hotels don’t offer them. So, when we came across Equinox Resort’s “Cloud 999 Package” we wanted to see what the real deal was. The historic hotel celebrated its 239^th birthday last year (yes, it’s been around since 1769!) by getting a $20-million “face lift,” including interiors by renown designer Geoffrey Bradfield. His version of contemporary New England charm? Bold striped patterns and dramatic floor length window coverings. Drapery aside, this winter deal focuses putting guests on Cloud 9 via the spa.

Deal: The “Cloud 999 Package” includes 3 nights in a Superior Room and a $999 credit for spa treatments of your choice, making the room theoretically free. Every one of the spa’s 27 treatments are available with the package—from typical Swedish massages and facials to the spa’s custom “Mother Earth” prenatal massages and full-body “Autumn Ritual” treatments.

Breakdown: With 10 treatment rooms, the Equinox Resort’s 13,000-square-foot spa offers a variety of Vermont-inspired spa treatments (think: maple sugar and wildflower). Treatment prices are standard for a full-service hotel spa and for $999, we calculated that two guests could each enjoy: a 50-minute Swedish massage ($115), 75-minute custom facial ($175), 50-minute body exfoliation or Reflexology session ($120) and 50-minute Simply Hands & Feet treatment ($85).

Deal or No Deal: We found the average Sun.-Thurs. nightly rate for a superior room with two guests to be $169 during the deal’s dates (booked through their website). Times three nights, that’s a savings of $507. If on the hunt for a relaxing, hotel spa experience this deal could be a winner for the perfect pair. Split between a couple, each guest could visit the spa 1-2 times a day during their 3-night stay with an added bonus of utilizing the spa’s inclusive amenities: the 75-foot indoor heated swimming pool, yoga and Pilates classes, a full-service fitness room, sauna, steam room and a relaxation area complete with a Vermont stone fireplace. We’ll take our post-massage fireplace sitting with a glass of Cab and plate of Vermont cheeses!

Side Note: If you tire of the lavish indoor spa treatments, head outdoors where Equinox offers a bevy of eclectic activities: The British School of Falconry, The Land Rover Experience Driving School, The Archery School, sleigh rides, snow-mobiling, snow-shoeing and more!

Dates: Valid through April 30, 2010 (only on Thurs.-Sun.). Deal details here.

Celebrating it’s 25th anniversary with a “World Needs Interesting” campaign, boutique hotel brand, Morgans Hotel Group has not only slashed rates, but is reminding the travel industry of its iconic status as a hip, trendy brand. This IS the hotel group that made Philippe Starck-designed, surrealist lobbies the rage! The campaign’s print component centers around various playful—and sometimes seductive—tag lines (a la “the world needs more R-rated R&R”), while in true hip hotel taste, a video ad features Morgans’ take on an “interesting” world: a compilation of fast-paced dancing, cocktail-filled glass clinking and a kissing duos finale montage.

Read the rest of this entry »

Although Santa may care if you’ve been naughty or nice, The Signature at MGM Grand does NOT. Rewarding all good and bad Vegas visitors, the hotel is offering two heavily value-added deals for the holidays. The hardest thing about making your Vegas holiday wish list? Choosing whether you want to spend an evening at Studio 54 or an afternoon at the spa; toast to the holidays with champagne and strawberries (oh, so nice!) or with an in-suite vodka station amenity (just a wee naughty). With these fabulous deals, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, because the holidays are coming to town…ahem, Sin City.

Property: THE SIGNATURE AT MGM GRAND, Las Vegas

Deal: “Naughty Holiday” and “Nice Holiday.” Night rates for both deals end up being the same (ranging from $119 to $239) and include 40% off tickets to the hotel’s Crazy Horse Paris show or KA by Cirque du Soleil, as well as turn down service with a “romantic gift surprise.” The only difference between the two deals is the other value adds: nightlife party-goers who like to drink will not surprisingly prefer the “Naughty” package, while the spa loving/breakfast-in-bed types will opt for “Nice.”

Read the rest of this entry »

From urban retreats located in hundred-year-old buildings with quite a history to desert oases offering cattle drives and Jeep tours to tropical getaways that provide your own personal “wellness consultant”—Fall 2009 is proving that new hotels are to be found in any climate. Responding to the continued economic hardship, these hotels are not only offering swanky designs and creative extracurricular activities, they’re offering deals all over the place. If you don’t mind being amidst hardhats, take 50-percent off one property’s rates and at another, enjoy unlimited golfing on a Jack Nicklaus-designed course:

Hotel: AMES BOSTON | Boston, MA

Opening: November 19, 2009

To Note: Housed in a 14-story, 1889-constructed building that was Boston’s first skyscraper; traditional East Coast architecture complete with Romanesque arched windows and original fireplaces; “Benjamin Franklin Meets a Supermodel” tag line from its parent company, Morgans Hotel Group.

Ames Boston Hotel Deals

Hotel: INK48 | NYC, New York

Opening: Currently in “Rough Draft” Phase but still accepting reservations; full opening January 15, 2010

To Note: This new Kimpton Hotel property is offering (surprise, surprise) 48-percent off for staying while the property is still being constructed—that means no fitness room, restaurants or spa (but a hip, lower rate NYC hotel room with room service still at your beck and call); the 1,000 square-foot “Heaven Over Hell’s Kitchen Suite” includes a private 2,200-square-foot rooftop terrace and over-sized deep soaking Jacuzzi overlooking the NYC skyline

Ink48 Hotel Deals

Read the rest of this entry »

Although it’s been four decades since the infamous “Summer of Love,” its anniversary is not being overlooked—even by the hotel industry. Hotels are offering up the magical number of 69 for starting room rates all over the place, with one Arizona hotel even saluting the momentous year with a “Summer of ‘69” package. Although we can’t recall what monumental Love Fest happened in Arizona during 1969, the Sheraton Tucson is paying homage to the year with 69 rooms for $69/night; upgrades for $6.90; $69 massages; $6.90 munchies in the restaurant and $0.69 draft beers. Not bad for a newly completed $4 million renovated hotel in the desert.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been 30 years since King Tut and his entourage have been back to San Francisco and in true regal style, they are staying at the splendid (and super architecturally awesome) De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park as part of the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit. As of June 27th, visitors can view over 130 gold and precious stone-filled treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb—from his gilded funerary mask to funeral daggers to scarab bracelets to the actual magnificent Viscera Coffin.

Already renown as of the best museum exhibitions, tickets aren’t cheap (nor the lines short). But it is undoubtedly worth it. To help cushion costs, hotels are offering San Francisco King Tut deals all over the place, making a San Francisco weekend trip to visit the boy king and the rest of the bay even more worthwhile. Most hotel deals include reduced rates and King Tut VIP tickets (translation: NO standing in line), which when combined equate to sizeable savings. Live (even if for one night) like a king at one of these best San Francisco King Tut hotel deals:

Read the rest of this entry »

While parades and BBQs will be in full force on the fourth of July, it’s the firework shows that really stand apart this American holiday from the rest. When else does the entire nation gang together to become temporary (let’s hope) supporters of pyromania? And unless you live in one of the few states where consumer fireworks are legal, you’ll have to outsource your 4th of July fireworks show. Luckily, many cities—and even hotels—are sponsoring major fireworks displays for the holiday. Here’s our roundup of American cities that have the best fireworks shows and accompanying 4th of July hotel deals:

BOSTON Fireworks Show: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular show with a concert from Neil Diamond and Craig Ferguson. What other American city boasts www.july4th.org as their website?!
BOSTON 4th of July Hotel Deal: Omni Parker House “Boston Pops Package”

CHICAGO Fireworks Show: Taste of Chicago’s Independence Day “Eve” show over the lake with over 5,000 fireworks and 1 million attendees. Part of the week long “world’s largest outdoor food festival’s” activities.
CHICAGO 4th of July Hotel Deal: Ritz Carlton Chicago “4th of July Special”

LAKE TAHOE Fireworks Show: Lights on the Lake “largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi” show above the lake.
LAKE TAHOE 4th of July Hotel Deal: Village at Squaw Valley “Three Nights for Price of Two”

LAS VEGAS Fireworks Show: Simultaneous 9-minute “Station’s 4th of July Blast” show from nine different Station Casino properties.
LAS VEGAS 4th of July Hotel Deal: THEHotel at Mandalay Bay “All American Rejects”

NEW ORLEANS Fireworks Show: Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza on the Mississippi riverfront choreographed to American patriotic classics. Gospel singing, watermelon tastings and more.
NEW ORLEANS 4th of July Hotel Deal: Wyndham Riverfront “Stars and Stripes”

ORLANDO Fireworks Show: Parades, “Celebrate America” fireworks show and a “Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” display. Events happening throughout Disneyworld parks.
ORLANDO 4th of July Hotel Deal: Hotel Royal Plaza in Disneyworld “4th of July Blowout”

NEW YORK CITY Fireworks Show: Macy’s Fireworks show from six barges on the Hudson River (best viewed from a water taxi). Other festivities include: Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, NYC fireboat displays and outdoor concerts.
NEW YORK CITY 4th of July Hotel Deal: Hotel Giraffe “4th of July Weekend”

PHILADELPHIA Fireworks Show: Parade in the morning; family-friendly Party on the Parkway during the day; fireworks display with The Life, Liberty & You concert from Sheryl Crow and The Roots at night.
PHILADELPHIA 4th of July Hotel Deal: Westin Downtown “4th of July”

WASHINGTON D.C. Fireworks: Outdoor concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at the U.S. Capitol and fireworks show with all the nation’s capital monuments in the background. Parades and concerts as well.
WASHINGTON D.C. 4th of July Hotel Deal: Hotel Palomar “Party Like It’s 1776″

More 4th of July Fireworks & Fun
MEMPHIS: Marriott Downtown “4th of July Fireworks & Family”
SAN DIEGO: Hilton Bayfront “Big Bay Fireworks”
SCOTTSDALE: W Hotel “4th of July for 2-Day Stay”

Now’s a great time to find deals in Mexico with the following Starwood properties (with some sample deals below):

Mexico City

Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel & Towers

• Incredible Aztec Weekend Package ($145 & up/night, 39% savings) includes breakfast for 2 and a transfer and guide to 2 ruins.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hotels have long been a hotly debated issue for being environmentally UN-friendly for their large scale energy usage and wasteful allowances. Times are changing though! In honor of this year’s globally-celebrated Earth Day, many hotels are growing greener and pledging to lower their emissions—some cutting back on free newspapers, others being part of an entire statewide eco movement—but all attempting to reduce their enormous carbon footprints to partake in the green movement. Here’s our roundup of how to save green with hotel deals that are getting green:

• Planting Trees: To help stomp out carbon footprints and assist in becoming a greener plant, the most popular eco-friendly hotel giveback is planting trees with guest’s hotel stays: the W’s “Spring Fling Package” includes a donation of 100 trees per night stay (in 2007 the hotel group alone planted 75,000 trees); Boulder, Colorado’s St. Julien Hotel & Spa is planting a tree for every person that joins their Facebook page (who said you couldn’t mesh one pop culture trend with an eco trend?); and even more traditional hotel brands, like the Fairmont, are hopping on the green bandwagon. Read the rest of this entry »

For millions of procrastinators, today is a brow-furrowing, finger-biting, stress-inducing day (there’s IRS Tax Help if you still need it). For others, a  tax refund awaits. Regardless, this April 15th can bring reason to relax during these taxing times: tax-themed hotel deals and hotel specials just for the occasion. Hotels are getting creative in figuring out that us hard-working busy bees need a break—whether it’s a Tax-tini cocktail to drink your angst away, or [gasp] a tax-FREE hotel rate to lure you in, or candy to sweeten the deal even more—hotel Tax Relief Deals are hotter than ever amidst these disparaging times. You won’t find yourself procrastinating with paying up on these deals because it’s about time you got off paying Uncle Sam’s portion of the tab.

And if you’re still reading this without having filed your taxes, we suggest visiting the USPS website to find post offices with extended hours on Tax Day ASAP.

Read the rest of this entry »