Save $400 by going to the beach … I wish it were always this easy!

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Hilton’s trying to make it as easy as possible for you to soak up the sun this summer. Its new deal in Puerto Rico will set you up with a free fourth night if you pay for three. Even better: the three nights that will cost you only start at $139 each. All in, you’re saving up to $400 a trip. Resort credits are offered for golf, dining, spa treatments and other activities.

And, it keeps getting better. You could also pick up a bonus certificate for a free night down the road if you book by July 15, 2009.

The four participating hotels are solid: El San Juan Hotel & Casino, The Waldorf Astoria Collection; El Conquistador Resort & Spa, The Waldorf Astoria Collection; Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza and Caribe Hilton, San Juan. So, it’s not like you’re being given a low price at a low-end hotel. This is strictly top shelf.

The catch? The promotion’s only good through the end of September.

Storm the Bastille with Concorde Hotels

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Need an excuse to head out to Europe this summer? Concorde Hotels & Resorts is ready to feed your jones for travel. The Concorde Summer package – just in time for Bastille Day – puts 22 hotels from around the world at your fingertips, from the Hotel Lutetia in Paris to the super-upscale Hotel de la Paix on the shores of Lake Geneva. You can join the party for as little as $115 a night ($165 in some cases), which, I assure you, is so insane that I half-expected to see Crazy Eddy’s name listed somewhere on the press release.

As has become common with deals from up-market hotels, the low room rate isn’t all you get. Concorde is throwing in some great extras, including a daily buffet breakfast, access to double rooms and a second room at an additional 50 percent discount. Also, Condorde’s throwing in a surprise gift for each stay.

But, you have to take advantage of it this summer. The deal stretches from July 10, 2009 to September 13, 2009.

TARP Travel at Taj Campton

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The life of a business traveler is nothing short of miserable (trust me; I did it for about five years). We look for as few things to go wrong as possible, and when things cut our way (which is rarely), the experience is nothing short of thrilling. The Campton Place Taj Hotel in San Francisco is finally treating the road warrior well.

This is strange. Most airlines and hotels really don’t give a shit about business travelers. They know that corporate travel agents and rate agreements lock us into certain airlines and hotels. Our plans tend to be inflexible, unlike recreational travelers. We often spend more money for less service. We know it, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Campton Place is willing to pretend, however, that they need our business. And, I couldn’t be happier.

In order to earn your travel dollar, Campton Place is offering:

• Welcome drink on arrival at Bistro & Bar
• Daily breakfast at the acclaimed Campton Place Restaurant
• High Speed Internet access (both Wi-Fi and Hardwired)
• One suit pressing complimentary
• Complimentary in-room Espresso machine / Tea maker
• Daily Wall Street Journal / New York Times / International Business Newspaper
• Complimentary use of in-house facilities (Business Center, Fitness Center, Concierge)
• Complimentary house car service in the mornings based on availability

As long as you stay for a minimum of two nights, rates start at $259.

Call full-service hotels directly for best deals

by Jamie Rhein on

With the economy the way it is these days, hotel deals are for the asking. Although many deals are bundled into packages that include airfare, that’s not the only way to save money.

In this New York Times, “On The Road” article, Peter Greenberg, the travel editor of “Today” recommends calling full-service hotels directly to find out what deals can be offered “right now.”

Greenberg recommends asking to speak to the general manager and then asking that person in a congenial way what incentives he or she can offer. Although the published room rate may not go down, the incentives could sweeten the deal in your favor.

According to Greenberg, hotels’ willingness to throw in perks will not last forever. The message is to strike a bargain while you can get one.

If you’re looking for holiday R& R without the expense of out of town travel, add luxury to your life by looking for a hotel deal in your own backyard. Book a night in a luxury hotel where you live. Call around to see who will throw in the best perk by using Greenberg’s method. Even though home may be just a few miles away, pretend. A night away is a night away.

The photo by drustar is of the front desk at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. Yes, there are package deals on the hotel’s website, but call to see what else you can get. It’s a start.

Gas give-a-ways that ease summer travel–a bit

by Jamie Rhein on

Perhaps you’ve noticed the gas-give-away promotions popping up at various locations in the U.S. this summer. As a boost to help folks pile into that family car for a vacation, several hotels are offering gas card rebates.

Steve Stephens, head of the travel section of the Columbus Dispatch, outlines several gas card deals in his column Ticket to Write. As he points out, one reason for the gas rebates is a psychological one to appeal to travelers looking to make ends meet when working out a monthly budget.

When you figure in the increase on gas prices to summer destinations, it may not be all that much, particularly if you’re not going all that far. Knowing that it may cost you $20 more than it has in the past may keep you from getting behind the wheel. That rebate gets you to change your mind.

Here are deals that Stephens lists and suggestions for finding others.

  • Park Inn hotels are offering a $20 rebate if you stay for two nights in a row. Check out www.parkinn.com
  • www.Expedia.com is offering a rebate deal also if you book your hotel through the Web site. A two-night stay gets you $25 and a three-night or more stay gets you $50.
  • At www.Hotels.com you can find a gas rebate as a prepaid MasterCard, as well, if you book for three or more nights.

Other deals can be found at www.BedandBreakfast.com and www.BnBFinder.com.

There are several deals in Ohio and the region including West Virginia. Check out Stephens’ article to see what they are.