Taking the Kids
Taking the Kids: Plan an affordable, last-minute holiday getaway
Finally, some good news for traveling families. If you thought the ever-worsening economy meant you should forgo a holiday or post-holiday getaway with the kids, think again. The reality is that this may be the year to travel.
There have never been so many holiday deals — whether you want to spend a night or two in your favorite city (plenty of deals at historic hotels around the country for under $150 a night, www.historichotels.org ), build sand castles on a beach (condos for under $100 a night in Florida, www.rentalo.com ), or race your kids down a mountain slope (get free lift tickets for the gang at Crested Butte in Colorado, if you fly Delta, plus a fifth night free www.skithewest.com ). Because hotels, resorts and cruise ships still have so much holiday space, they’ve tossed out holiday premium rates and minimum stay requirements and are throwing in all sorts of extras.
Don’t be afraid to bargain, suggests Pauline Frommer, author of the 13-book “Pauline Frommer’s Spend Less See More” guide series ( www.frommers.com ). “Call the manager directly at the hotel and ‘talk turkey,’ Frommer says. “Tell him what you can afford and see if the hotel can accommodate you.” “The weak economy means there are many opportunities for consumers,” says Dan Sherman of www.ski.com . His tip: Look for ski vacations in or near major airport hubs like Denver or Salt Lake City and be as flexible as you can with your dates. That goes for cruise ships too, says Stewart Chiron, cruise industry expert and president of www.cruiseguy.com . He reports more discounts on Christmas and New Year’s Day sailing in more than two decades — as low as $499 per person on seven-day trips. (See www.travelocity.com .) “Book your airfare and hotel together and you’ll get a better price,” adds Marita Hudson Thomas of Cheaptickets. com. Its new site (http://cheaponomy. cheaptickets. com) showcases the cheapest holiday getaways.
Here are just a few examples of what else you should look for — and ask for — this holiday season:
• Christmas night free. Ask for this whether you are booking a Colorado ski condo ( www.vacationroost.com ), Mammoth Mountain ski holiday ( www.mammothmountain.com ) or The Reefs in Bermuda ( www.thereefs.com ) on its own pink sand beach. Get a free night plus breakfast and a free room upgrade at the just-renovated Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort ( www.scottsdale.hyatt.com ) if you stay four nights. • Extras everywhere from Azul Hotels by Karisma in Mexico ( www.karismahotels.com ), where you can book two massages for $80 and kids stay for half off at the luxe all-inclusive properties. The Westin St. John Resort and Westin Aruba ( www.westin.com ) throw in a $100 resort credit per day while kids up to age 12 can eat for half price from the adult menu. Vail Resorts ( www.snow.com ) are giving away $30 a day in dining vouchers per child with three-day packages. Get free kids camp at the newly renovated Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida ( www.BocaResort.com ) where until Dec. 26, you can get two rooms for $249 a night.
• If you are traveling to visit relatives, tack on a day or two in the nearest city where you’ll find plenty of morning-till-night holiday activities and discounted hotels, especially on the weekends. (Pauline Frommer suggests checking out www.hotelscombined.com .) • Opt for just New Year’s weekend. Visit www.firstnight.com for more on family New Year’s celebrations around the country. Visit www.takingthekids.com .
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