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There’s no doubt that the recession is adversely affecting the travel industry but how is it affecting YOU, the guest? With lower occupancy levels and reduced overnight rates, hotels are scrambling to save money through cutting back on amenities and service. In an attempt to make the least impact on guests, hotels are targeting more subtle amenities that aren’t exactly subtle when added up.
With the H1N1 flu travel scares subsiding in Mexico, tourism is slowly but surely climbing back to normal. If you’re still a little skittish about Mexico, heading farther south to Panama is a smart option for an alternative Latin vacation. A sophisticated city, two surfable coasts, tropical islands and the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal await. And, a trip to Travelex isn’t needed beforehand—the official currency in Panama is the U.S. Dollar.
Panama City has been coined the “most cosmopolitan city in Central America” for its skyscraper-filled skyline, vibrant nightlife and mega shopping malls. Unlike its neighboring capitals, Panama City has been amassing: enormous sums of international investment dollars (the city continues to gain popularity as a retirement destination for expatriates); luxury hotels (Nikki Beach Hotel is set to open next year with a Casa Nikki Night Club on the 46th floor); and celeb architect-designed buildings (Frank Gehry made his mark last year with the Bridge of Life Museum of Biodiversity). This capital is poised to be the next Miami.
We hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend, which unofficially kicked off the summer season. Hotels continue to look forward to your visits, and these rates show it. Happy travels,
The DealBase.com Team
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (4-star)
$99 for a 2-Night Stay Package includes discounted room, VIP passes to Wasted Space or Body English Nightclub (for 2), 20% off spa services (Mon-Thu), and 50% off dining at Beach Club (Mon-Thu).
Why this Deal It’s one of the best Vegas deals this week and you won’t find it on their website. Why not? It’s exclusively promoted via email to their loyal fans.
Expires: Aug. 31, 2009
Book via hotel’s website or view details at DealBase.com
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As travel trends fluctuate—particularly in response to a troubled economy— hotel industry terms continue to evolve. Gone are the days of rampant, excessive corporate travel spending and present are the days of getting creative with traveling on a budget. Here’s our round up of useful hotel buzzwords for travelers wanting to know the 411 on today’s hotel industry speak.
A.I.G. Effect: A new term for corporate bigwigs cutting down on lavish travel expenditures (five-star hotels, thousand-dollar bar tabs and private jets). Originates from the shocking 2008 disclosure that AIG spent $400,000 at a ritzy St. Regis resort after getting handed an $85 billion federal bailout.
Condo Hotel (Condotel): One of the biggest trends in the real estate industry: a building used both as a condominium and a hotel. Condo owners have access to hotel amenities (like concierge, room service, etc.).
Getting ready to take a much-needed break? We’re not talking about Memorial Day (though we do have some ideas for families looking to get away). We mean summer’s just around the corner, and it’s never too early to plan ahead with these bargains. Happy travels,
The DealBase.com Team
Caesars Palace (4-star) 
VIP PURE Experience Package includes discounted room, 2 VIP passes -per person- to PURE Nightclub, and 2 Roman Rituals spa passes -per person- valid at Qua Baths & Spa.
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Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off to summer and a perfect opportunity for families to spend a long weekend having fun together. From parades to military displays to pool parties, these kid-oriented and family-themed Memorial Day weekend destinations offer activities that both parents and young ones can enjoy. 
Austin: The family-friendly Barton Creek Resort near Austin is dedicated to making their kid guests happy with family bingo, family scavenger hunts, miniature golf and water balloon tosses. The resort’s Memorial Day celebration has an all-American cookout, a live DJ and nightly movies. For parents who golf and want to sneak away for adult-only play time, there’s the resort’s top-rated “best public golf course in Texas”.
Atlanta: Located inside Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park, the Marriott Evergreen’s “Play Another Day” package includes 4 two-day Stone Mountain Adventure Passes. The park’s Memorial Day ‘Salute to the Troops’ weekend line-up includes concerts, fireworks and laser shows, along with its everyday family fun activities like adventure courses, treetop treks and 4D movies. Families can venture out of the park to enjoy the weekend long 32nd annual Atlanta Jazz Festival.
Chicago: The Windy City hosts one of the country’s largest Memorial Day parades and offers versatile kid-friendly activities. Sports-loving children will enjoy seeing the White Sox play the Pittsburgh Pirates and animal-loving toddlers will want to visit Shedd Aquarium’s Oceanarium, re-opening May 22nd. The centrally located Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile’s Memorial Day weekend deal includes VIP tickets to the aquarium’s opening (no waiting in line!) and is within walking distance of the American Girl Place, Field Museum, Millennium Park and Navy Pier.
Coming soon to an American airport near you: pod hotels within the actual airport. Instead of having to scurry to a crummy (and expensive) off-site airport hotel to catch some winks during flight cancellations and delays, or long layovers, passengers will be able to get much-needed R&R without even having to leave the airport terminal. SFO is in the planning stages to build and operate a pod-style hotel in the international terminal with “sleep units”—complete with a bed, desktop and electrical outlets. SFO’s pod hotel will be the first of its kind for a U.S. airport.
Airport pod hotels are already a growing hotel trend in Europe with a couple boutique budget brands currently operating. London-based brand Yotel has futuristic-looking hotels in London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports and in Amsterdam’s Schipol airport. Cabins come equipped with 24-hour room service, flat screen TVs, organic cotton sheets, showers and storage areas.
With the summer travel season about to hit full swing, here are two tidbits of info to share with you. If you book a trip with BookIt.com, you’ll get a Blackberry phone (while supplies last, of course). We’ll show you what sort of savings you can get with BookIt.com deals. And here’s some insight into the latest warm weather hotel trend: pool parties. Who knew? Happy Travels, The DealBase.com Team
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas (5-star)
Vegas Escape Package includes discounted room and $25 credit at The Spa at Four Seasons.
Why this Deal In case you’re not overly drawn to nightclub-like pool parties, choose a more relaxing atmosphere in one of this week’s top 5-star Vegas offerings.
Expires: Dec. 30, 2009. 2 night minimum.
Book via Perfect Escapes or view details at DealBase.com
For years, daytime Vegas pool parties have lured thousands of party-goers for fun under the sun—and other sunny locales across the nation are quickly following suit. Whether it’s jump starting your weekend with a Thursday night pool party or ending your weekend in “Sunday Funday” style (with a hangover), Vegas-style summer pool parties are drawing hoards of sun-worshiping party people. These ultimate adult playgrounds (all on the new-ish side) offer cool pools and day clubbing galore nowhere near Sin City.
Boston, The Colonnade: After a $20 million renovation last year, Boston’s only rooftop hotel pool is again anticipating one loud Summer of Fun. The Cape Cod themed 11th-floor pool area has played host to hot line-ups of musical concerts like Duffy and The Fray in the past, so you never know what to expect.
Tired of swine H1N1 flu dominating the news? In response to the growing concern of this person-to-person virus, we’re highlighting the most secluded hotel hideaways where you can completely disconnect. These hotels have minimal contact with the outside world and few—if no—other guests, offering the chance to escape from it all, including the swine flu (we hope). Whether a hermitic or hypochondriac, these hotels will impress:
AMANYARA, Turks & Caicos: The Turks & Caicos islands were late bloomers in the Caribbean tourism industry, so you’ll find no high-rise hotels here. 40 timber-shingle pavilions sprinkle the “peaceful place,” property, with No. 115 having access to its own beach cove. Visit the Serenity Villa wellness facility for a lesson in the latest holistic healing practices, ensuring a flu-less, healthy life.
