A favorite resort, a red-hot deal, a clever pitch... scroll down for a selection of fun promotions for families.
1. Orlando Endless Summer
The world's top family vacation location wants visitors to keep on coming, from August 15 to November 15, when crowds are lighter, and temperatures average 70 degrees. A "Get One Free" promotion has deals such as "Stay 2 Nights, Get the 3rd Night Free," or "Purchase 1 Attraction Ticket, Get the 2nd One Free". Participating hotels range from value to luxury: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, for example, and the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort; JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes; Quality Inn Plaza; and more. "Free Ticket" offers include local attractions such as Gatorland. For a list of all the deals. see Orlando Endless Summer.
2. Gas Rebates and Similar Promotions
And you thought the price of gas was bad last summer or the summer before... The big "ouch!" at the pumps is prompting many hotels and resorts to offer some kind of compensation for high gas prices; and sometimes entire destinations -- such as Branson Missouri-- are offering gas promotions to driving guests.3. Hershey PA: Kids Stay & Play Free at The Hotel Hershey
[p]Three hours from NYC, "Chocolate Town USA" is dotted with Hershey attractions, plus the classic Hotel Hershey (with kids club, and chocolate spa), and family-friendly Hershey Lodge. Hersheypark is the big draw, a top-rated family amusement park started in 1907 by chocolatier Milton Hershey for his employees. This summer, kids (8 and under, with a paying adult) get free admission to Hersheypark, free breakfast, and more, at The Hotel Hershey. Family Getaway package too. (See packages.)4. Atlantis Bahamas - "Fall Escape" 4-Day, Three-Night Package, book by 9/03/08
Pretty good savings, for travel through 8/28/08-10/29/08: rates start at $299 for Beach Tower, per person, double occupancy; add up to $136pp for taxes, grats., & service charges. ($429 for Royal Towers, $499 for the Reef, $629 for The Cove.) Also: new dining plans from $49/night, and kids 6 and under eat free.
This one-of-a-kind megaresort has 93-acre "waterscape" plus spa, casino, Marina, kids' camp developed by Discovery Channel, teen club; "waterscape" has AQUAVENTURE waterpark, jaw-dropping waterslides, special-effects river ride, shark lagoons, subterranean aquariums, water play zone for little kids, beaches, calm lagoon, much more. Generally, two kids 11 and under stay free; older kids pay $45 per night.
5. Club Med Family Escapes - Book by August 29 2008
Club Med has terrific all-inclusive family resorts, including one in Florida, one in the DR, and two in Mexico. Kids programs and activities are excellent; Baby Club Med has programs for 1 year-olds, 2-year-olds, etc.; Club Med is also leading-edge in fun for teens, with Passworld themed areas (for hanging out and for cool activities) and, at Club Med Punta Cana, "The Ramp", a giant skateboard ramp with lounge tucked underneath.
Book by August 29 for travel (on select dates) from August 2008 through Feb. 2009; deals for $888/person at Club Med properties in the Caribbean, Florida, and Mexico.
6. Hawaii Promotions
Photo © Teresa Plowright
Hawaii has a bunch of promotions to encourage travel this summer. Price breaks range from $200 to $900, offered by major holiday packagers such as United Vacations, Expedia, Liberty Travel, and more. (Read about Hawaii Family Vacations - from busy fun at Waikiki Beach, to quiet beauty on Kauai; and resorts always ready to welcome families.
7. Sandy Lane, Barbados
This discreetly famous playground of the rich and famous has a Family Fun Package from April 19 to October 31 2008, for families booking adjoining rooms: with unlimited Tree House Club for ages 3 to 12; one family lunch; daily breakfast; complimentary gift for each child on arrival; airport transfers. Room rates start from $3,800 for 5 nights; three kids under 16 years stay in a connecting room for 50% of price of parents' stay. Mre about about this promotion; more about Sandy Lane.
8. Beaches Resorts: WonderFALL for Preschoolers, Reunions, Grandparents
Photo courtesy of Beaches Resorts.
Families with preschoolers can find nice promotions starting in early fall after the "big kids" go back to school. This year, Beaches Resorts -- top family all-inclusives in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos-- are offering WonderFALL", with savings of up to 45% plus one or two nights free, if you stay a while. WonderFALL also has extra appearances and live stage shows by Sesame Street characters, Family Reunion Packages, and special fun for kids and grandparents. (Enter a contest to win a Beaches family vacation! You can enter daily until Sept. 1 2008.)
9. "Four Legs or Fins" at New Orleans Marriott & Renaissance Hotels
Package includes accommodations for four, breakfast for four, choice of four tickets to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas or the Audubon Zoo. Rates from $169 yp $339 per night; valid through November 15 2008.
Properties include the New Orleans Marriott (in the French Quarter), JW Marriott New Orleans, Marriott at the Convention Center, Renaissance Pere Marquette or Renaissance Arts Hotel. Call 1.866.530.3763 or visit www.neworleans.marriott.com.
10. Northwest Florida: Sandestin Resort
In northwest Florida, giant 2400-acre
Sandestin Resort has miles
of white-sand beach, a bay-side with kayaking, sailing, etc., and a picture-perfect village of shops and restaurants. Check for
summer packages such as "Family Fun Package", "Family Golf", and more.
