our very own ‘top ten’ summer deals

March 31st, 2009

It was a long winter.  We won’t try to predict the rest of 2009, but we do know one thing for sure: we will all need a break this summer.  Now that spring is here, let’s start daydreaming.

To help plant a few seeds, so to speak, we have gathered up the newest, best hotel deals for this summer.   This is our very own “Top Ten.” One suggestion from us: this is the moment to rethink spots that were always seen as prohibitively expensive.  Like Nantucket.  London.  Switzerland.  Even Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos. 

Some of these deals have already started, so if you want to just skip spring and go straight to a summery vacation, be our guest… 

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Deal: A little something called “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” from Nantucket Island Resorts, which owns The Wauwinet, the White Elephant, the White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and the Jared Coffin House.

Breakdown: Specific dates throughout the high summer season have seriously low rates. 

For example:

• Jared Coffin House: Normal summer rates start at $155 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $105
• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin: Normal summer rates start at $490 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $175 per night
• White Elephant: Normal summer rates start at $615 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $195 per night
• The Wauwinet: Normal summer rates start at $680 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $225 per night

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because Nantucket is one of the prettiest islands in our country, and it has never been more accessible than it is this year.  Once there, spend idyllic days bicycling, beach reading, and picking your own strawberries. 

Fine Print: Rates are subject to change after April 15, so keep checking the website to see the latest dates and rates.

Book here

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Deal: “Muy Sabrosa” package at the Inn on the Alameda adds not only value but culinary spice to a stay in this kooky, lovely city.

Breakdown: Package rates begin at $376 for a two-night stay and include a two-and-a-half hour cooking demo and lunch at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, a $40 gift certificate to Mucho Gusto (a cozy Mexican café next to the Inn), plus breakfast and afternoon port and cheese daily.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: To get lost in the flowers at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.  Plus, Santa Fe averages 325 days a year of blue skies and sun, and is one of only nine cities in the world to be designated a “Creative City” by UNESCO. 

Fine Print: Package is available for Sunday- Tuesday and Wednesday- Friday stays during specific dates through the year.

Get more details or call 888-984-2121 to book

Turks & Caicos

Deal: Parrot Cay‘s ‘4 for 3‘ and ‘7 for 5‘ offers have just been extended through December 20, 2009.  Summer rates go down, so you can stay longer for even less. 

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $575 this summer (rather than $775 in the winter), which means two can stay four nights and pay $1,725.  That rate includes daily breakfast, return airport transfers, and complimentary Pilates and yoga.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this resort is like rehab for the soul.  The private island spans 1,000 acres, with white sand beaches and turquoise water in every direction.  You can bone-fish, consult with the Ayurvedic doctor, or float in the pool all day. 

Fine Print: You have to play it cool when swimming next to Bruce Willis and his newly-betrothed.

Book here or call 649-946-7788

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Deal: Rosewood Mayakobá just announced a “Spring Getaway” promotion for the month of April.  Rates have been reduced by 25% for stays April 1 through 30, with no minimum stay, no advance booking requirement, and no blackout dates.   

Breakdown: Lagoon Suites are now $590/night, Deluxe Lagoon Suites are now $790/night, and Deluxe Overwater Suites are $850/night.  This rate includes daily breakfast for two (not normally included).

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this is for April, and last we checked New York still isn’t 80 degrees and sunny.  Plus, does your apartment have its own private plunge pool and butler? Thought not.

Fine Print: Must be paid in full at the time of booking, and non-refundable.  In other words:  just go.

Book here or call 888-ROSEWOOD

London, England

Deal: Now through September 6, 2009, the Metropolitan and The Halkin are offering super-low fixed U.S. dollar rates.   And we mean super-low.

Breakdown:  A “City Room” at the Met is $199/night, rather than ₤375.  A “Double Room” at The Halkin is $299/night, rather than ₤390. 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because London is less expensive than New York to visit and live in for the first time since 2002.  And with current exchange rates, it’s 25% less expensive for Americans to visit now than it was last year.  So you can see London at its greenest, sunniest, and cheapest.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.

Book the Met here and The Halkin here

English Countryside

Deal: Members of The Royal Oak Foundation get 25% off rates and breakfast at England’s three Historic House Hotels, plus a complimentary room upgrade.

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at £160 (about $230) before the discount, so stay three nights for about $540, including the cost of Royal Oak Foundation membership.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because we don’t have many  lush gardens and lovely estates like these in the U.S.   This is a true escape from modern stressers like Blackberries, E-ZPass, and MetroCards.  Just pack that novel you’ve been trying to read.

Fine Print: Valid for stays through October 31, 2009, with certain blackout dates

Book: There are three steps to this one, but they are well-worth it.

1. Call 800-913-6565, ext. 205 to become a Royal Oak Foundation member (it’s $55 and there are many benefits).
2. On the same call, ask for the promotional code needed to receive the member discount at Historic House Hotels.
3. Reserve your stay in England.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Deal: The Victoria-Jungfrau is offering an ongoing “Internet Special” with steeply discounted rates.  This is like a Swiss sample sale.

Breakdown: While normal nightly rates for two begin at €613 (about $786), “Internet Special” rates for two begin at € 250 (about $320). 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this legendary resort is nestled right smack in the middle of the Swiss Alps.  Take one of the hotel’s mountain bikes, head for the hills, yell “Ricola!” at the top of your lungs, and then chill out in the 60,000-square foot spa.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay, non-refundable.

Book here 

European Cruises

Deal: Book Crystal Cruise‘s “European Celebration” promotion available on most Mediterranean and Baltic cruises this summer and save up to $1,500 per person. Plus enjoy the new “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” $2,000 per couple spending credit on twelve of the Med and Baltic sailings to spend on virtually anything while on board.

Breakdown: “European Celebration” fares start at $4,245 per person for 11-day Baltic cruises $4,080 per person for 12-day Mediterranean cruises. Savings is determined by cabin category selected; on most qualifying cruises, save $1,500 per person on a penthouse suite, $1,000 per person on a verandah stateroom, and $750 per person on a deluxe stateroom.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the convenience of unpacking once and traveling to multiple ports on a single itinerary will beat couch-surfing the Travel Channel every time.

Fine Print: “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” shipboard credit cannot be used for cruise deposits or casino gambling

Book at 888-799-4625 or contact a travel agent

Last but not Least: Two Far-Flung Spots That Won’t Break the Bank

Trang, Thailand

Deal: Stay three nights for the price of two at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa.

Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $169, so a three-night stay is $338.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the resort is on Changlang Beach, one of the most pristine of all Thai beaches and part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park.  Dive into the waters of the Andaman Sea and rub shoulders with the sea cows, famous in this region.

Fine Print: Valid until October 31, 2009

Book here

Ubud, Bali

Deal: The “Ultimate Savings Offer” at COMO’s Uma Ubud means rates start at $195, including breakfast

Breakdown: Rates normally start at $260.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because just breathing this pure air is worth the trip.  The hotel looks out over Tjampuhan valley in the deep lush forest of the Balinese hills, where you can pick your own orchids.  We’ll resist the temptation to insert an Eat, Pray, Love reference here.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.  This isn’t valid from July 15- September 15, but otherwise is available until December 31, 2009.

Book here or call +62 361 972 448 

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