Cha-Ching, Chi-Town: The InterContinental Chicago (icchicagohotel.com), on the famed Magnificent Mile, is making it easy to travel to the Windy City with several 2009 promotions. Through March 31, in honor of Chicago’s own President Barack Obama, the Presidential Perks package for you and your “VP” includes accommodations for two, tickets to the Freedom Museum, American breakfast buffet, complimentary valet parking for your “motorcade,” and free access to the fitness club and indoor swimming pool. Rates start at $209 per night, per couple. Also through March 31, the Economic Stimulus package gives guests more bang for their buck with accommodations for two in the hotel’s Historic Tower, a $50 food and beverage credit for any of the hotel’s three restaurants, 50 percent off valet parking, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and free access to the fitness club and indoor pool. Rates start at $209 per night. If you’re mindful of your carbon footprint, you might like the Go Green package, available through December 31. Toast your Chicago adventure with two Treetinis, and you’ll rest easy knowing a tree is being planted and a donation made to rainforest preservation for each one. Also included is a free Chicago Transit Authority public transportation day pass for each day of your stay, as well as a 20 percent discount for Eno, where you can taste organic and biodynamic wines and local cheeses and chocolates. Rates start at $219 per night, per couple.
Maui, Hawaii
Hawaiian Escape: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (grandwailea.com) in Maui, which sits on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens on Wailea Beach, just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation: expanded spa and fitness center, enhanced pools, guest room overhauls, and new two- and three-bedroom luxury townhome rentals. To celebrate the redo, the resort is offering a seventh night free for those who book six consecutive nights, available now through December 19, 2009.
Pebble Beach, California
Hole In One: Golf fans know that Pebble Beach (pebblebeach.com) in beautiful Northern California is hosting the 2010 U.S. Open Championship. Through April 30, 2009, the resort is celebrating a little early with a 2010 U.S. Open Championship Preview Package that includes two nights at The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay plus two rounds of golf—one at Pebble Beach and the second at The Links at Spanish Bay or Spyglass Hill Golf Course. You’ll also receive a special commemorative gift. Rates start at $1,775.
Austin, Texas
Hill Country Hype: For something close to home, The Hollows, situated on 1,400 forested acres on the scenic north shore of Lake Travis in Austin, is offering 20 percent off regular rates ($250–$350) through the end of March. With six miles of shoreline, 171-slip marina, beach club with two swimming pools, two thermal grottos, fitness room, indoor-outdoor dining facilities, kayak club, and 18 miles of hiking and biking trails, there is literally some activity for everyone in your camp. Rental options include two- and three-bedroom villas; three-bedroom casitas; and three-bedroom, log-home Bluff Cottages.
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Chic Ski: Save up to 30 percent through April 12 at the brand-new The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort (ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com), the closest ski-in/ski-out hotel to a chair lift in North America. Guests who partake in the First Flight package receive three nights accommodation in a room with fireplace, one dinner for two at tapas-style The Osprey Bar, daily breakfast for two, meet and greet at Vail Eagle Airport with transportation to The Osprey, gourmet picnic basket, and a bottle of Champagne and chocolates upon arrival. Rate is $999 per person based on double occupancy.
Huntington Beach, California
Hang Ten: Be among the first to stay at the 157-room beachfront Shorebreak Hotel (shorebreakhotel.com) in surf-friendly Huntington Beach, California, right across the street from the Huntington Beach pier, scheduled to open April 1, 2009. Designed to feel like your hip best friend’s beach house, the boutique property is offering the Beach and Bike package starting at $389 per night, which includes breakfast for two at Zimzala restaurant (frittata and smoothie, please) and free bike rentals all day. Be sure and ask for a picnic lunch to tuck inside the basket of your beach cruiser, because you’ll want to bike to Bolsa Chica Beach for picnicking, bonfires, hiking, or bird watching.
Antigua, West Indies
’Tis the Season: Celebrate Christmas in July at the all-inclusive, privately owned Curtain Bluff (curtainbluff.com) in Antigua—which means 40 percent savings from May 15 to August 23. Every room has an ocean view, and all meals, drinks, and sports (scuba diving, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and tennis) are included. Rates start at $645 per night double occupancy.
Sea Island, Georgia
Golf Game: Through December 31, 2009, Sea Island Resorts (seaisland.com), off the southeastern coast of Georgia, is offering The Cloister Golf & Spa Package starting at $1,000 per night, for a two-night stay. The package includes accommodations at The Cloister, breakfast daily in 100 Hudson, dinner for two in the Georgian Room, and two 60-minute spa treatments and two rounds of golf per stay. If golf is all you need, Sea Island is also offering The Lodge Golf Experience, starting at $675 per night. You’ll receive accommodations at The Lodge in a deluxe room, breakfast daily, and one round of golf—with cart, forecaddie, and range balls.
Caribbean Dream: Anse Chastanet Resort (ansechastanet.com) on St. Lucia, one of the Caribbean’s most romantic destinations, is offering its annual Summer Delight promotion. Get a sixth night free in room categories standard, superior, and beach deluxe, plus a $150 per person food and beverage credit at check-out. Rates range from $300–$650 per night, depending on the season. Sister property Jade Mountain (jademountainstlucia.com) is offering a fifth night free (rates range from $850 to $1,650 per couple, per night) for selected dates in 2009 when reserving a Sky Jacuzzi suite, a Star or Moon infinity pool sanctuary on either the daily rate or the Total Romance Package, which starts at $6,228 per couple, per night. The Total Romance Package includes accommodations; all tax and service; airport transfers; all meals and drinks (except bottled wines and Champagne); guided tours; activities such as tennis, snorkeling, kayaking, mini-sailing, and windsurfing; guided boat snorkel trip; resort scuba diving course for beginners or two dives for certified divers; bottle of French Champagne; one hour Swedish massage; half day jungle biking in Anse Mamin Valley; half day sailing on skippered resort yacht Serenity; and an anniversary certificate of $500 to be used on a return visit.
Fly High: This past December, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, launched an aerial tram—nearly twice the size of the original—and Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort (snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com), just one mile from the entrance of Grand Teton National Park, is offering a special Tram-tastic Ski Package through April 5. The package includes four nights accommodations, three full-day adult ski passes for two at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, one 50-minute spa treatment per person at Avanyu Spa, and daily breakfast for two. Rates start at $130 per night per person, based on double occupancy.
