San Diego Girls Getaway

San Diego, California, for a girlfriend getaway? Sign us up! We adore the thought of spending few days in one of the most beautiful cities in the United States with exquisite sunny weather, gorgeous beaches, oodles of shopping, historical sites and attractions. In fact, San Diego’s Old Town (“The Birthplace of California”) is one of our favorite places to sightsee, and its Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel has a fun package for a bunch of gal pals to enjoy.

With this Girls Getaway Package you can enjoy:

• Deluxe accommodations
• Welcome margarita
• Full American Breakfast each morning
• Late check-out

The Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel also offers romance packages, a “bed and breakfast” package and a clever park and cruise package, offering guests accommodations before or after any cruise departing from the nearby San Diego Cruise Terminal, as well as round-trip transportation to the departure port and $6/day parking for their cars. Such a deal!

This pretty property has an Old Spanish Mission style that fits right in with historic Old Town; grounds feature lush landscaping, colorful mosaic tile and pretty courtyards. Perched on a hill, the hotel offers view of the coast and the city skyline. It makes a fabulous home base for exploring the entire San Diego area, including Balboa Park, Cabrillo National Monument, the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo, Sea World and the Wild Animal Park.

The Vacation Gals are fans of San Diego, whether its for a girls getaway, romantic escape or family trip. They cover all sorts of travel — plus travel tips and travel gear — at TheVacationGals.com.

Autumn Travel Deals

As the final days of summer loom, we start looking ahead to booking fall travel. After all, that’s when you’ll find a bunch of deals, especially once school starts across the United States and summer crowds disperse. When you travel during the shoulder season at popular vacation locales like the beach, the mountains and amusement parks, discounts abound — but you still get to enjoy lovely temperate weather in many spots across the country.

Visit the Colorado mountains in the fall for discounted hotel rates and glorious gold leaves!

Take, for example, the ski resorts of Colorado. Before the chair lifts open for the ski season, hotel rates are low. Yet the dry, sunny climate is glorious, and if you time your visit right (third week of September or so) you can enjoy leaf-peeping. The aspens turn a beautiful shade of gold. Hiking, biking, spas, fine dining… with so much to do, inside and out, the mountain towns like Aspen, Telluride, Vail or Breckenridge make great destinations for a girlfriends getaway or couples’ escape.

And who says you have to take the kids on a theme park vacation? While they’re in school (and in the good hands of a neighbor or Grandma), consider escaping to Florida or California and ride all of those roller coasters and thrill rides in Orlando or Anaheim without so many other families in line with you. Truly, just after Labor Day is a great time of year to visit any U.S. amusement park — such as Northern California’s Great America, Ohio’s Cedar Point or San Antonio’s Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

If it’s beach time you’re craving, check out the packages at coastal destinations like Myrtle Beach or Charleston, South Carolina. Or for even cooler climes, consider the pretty Pacific Northwest — perhaps Cannon Beach, Oregon or even the Seattle area. It might be a little chilly there for surfing or boogie boarding, but for long strolls on the beach with your significant other, we think a Pacific Northwest couples’ getaway sounds delightful!

For outdoorsy types, we recommend U.S. national parks in September and October. Again, spots like Yellowstone in Wyoming, Arches in Utah and Acadia in Maine see many fewer crowds after Labor Day, and hotels at the gateway cities and towns just outside park entrances will lower their prices, for sure.

And don’t forget to think ahead to Thanksgiving travel. Sure, flying (or driving) anywhere around Turkey Day can be fraught with frustration (crowded airports! busy toll roads!), but if you book your vacation now, you’ll likely enjoy some better airfares and hotel prices than if you wait until Halloween.

The Vacation Gals love a good travel deal. These professional travel writers cover everything from budget travel to luxury travel, as well as family vacations, romantic escapes and girlfriend getaways.

California Theme Park Package

How’s this sound for an entertaining (and adrenaline-charged) last-minute getaway in Northern California? Spend the night in a spacious two-room suite at The Plaza Suites hotel, wake up to a cooked-to-order hot breakfast, then ride roller coasters, whiz down waterslides and eat funnel cakes to your hearts’ content at Great America theme park all day long.

With The Plaza Suites’ Great America Package you and your family can easily enjoy this excellent adventure in the heart of the Silicon Valley. The Plaza Suites hotel is in the heart of Santa Clara, California, and Great America is just a five-minute drive away. Convenient, affordable and … FUN!

Great America is Northern California’s most popular family amusement park, and it’s no wonder, with its dozens of rides that appeal to all ages, not to mention Kidzville, with bumper cars, swings and mini-coasters just for the pint-sized set, and Planet Snoopy, with its Peanuts-themed rides and meet-and-greets with all of your favorite Peanuts characters.  Live shows occur throughout the day and into the evening: Charlie Brown’s Pirate Adventure, Snoopy Rocks on Ice and Boot Scootin’ Boogie. You can even get into the act with On the Mic! Karaoke!

But don’t worry, there’s plenty for grown-ups at Great America, too. Consider these crazy thrill rides: the plunging Drop Tower Scream Zone, spinning Tiki Twirl and the loop-de-loop Vortex coaster. In fact, if you want to leave the kids at home to enjoy an adults-only overnight and have a ball at Great America by yourselves, we won’t tell a soul!

There’s plenty to enjoy at The Plaza Suites, including spacious two-room suites with microwave, refrigerator and two LCD televisions – one in the bedroom and one in the living room. Wi-fi is available for free in common areas, and a cooked-too-order breakfast (with a full American buffet breakfast offered during peak occupancy) is complimentary. The on-site Plaza Bistro serves moderately priced American menu, with a regional flair and a generous wine list. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool and hot tub in a pretty courtyard, as well as a 600-square-foot fitness center.

As summer’s end nears, consider this great getaway in Northern California. Comfort and convenience, action and excitement… all rolled into one with The Plaza Suites’ Great America Package!

Guide to Savvy Summer Travels

The summer season is in full swing, bringing with it the siren song of sun, fun and a vacation getaway. For some, navigating the pre-planning and deal-searching over complicates an otherwise rejuvenating escape from the daily grind. Here at GetawayPackages.com, we like to keep it simple.

Whether you’re planning to travel across country or around the corner, take a month off or just a weekend, here are some of our favorite helpful tips to make your summer a blast instead of a bummer.

Maximize deal sites
Food and entertainment expenses can kill a travel budget, but only for those who are full-price fools. We know you’re not one of them, so use Groupon, LivingSocial, and Zozi to find deals in the city you visit. You’ll find savings anywhere from 40 to 80 percent off restaurants, spas, attractions, and experiences – it’s definitely the smartest way to maximize your spending power nowadays.

Get bountiful benefits with hotel packages
Streamline your planning and save big bucks by booking with a hotel that packages overnight stays with memorable experiences such as tickets to a local attraction, museum, theatre, or concert. You’ll find that packaged prices are cheaper than if you were purchase both separately. At GetawayPackages.com you can search for hotel packages all throughout the U.S. according to your travel interests. Plus, most packages include added perks like complementary dinners, spa treatments, welcome baskets, to sweeten the deals.

Choose your friends wisely
When it comes to traveling companions, make sure you’re truly compatible with any prospective travelmates before hitting the road and spell out any details in advance related to traveling expenses, sharing the driving responsibilities, and so on. En route to your destination in 90-degree heat, while stuck in traffic, is not the time to try and figure out who pays for what!

Take the time to pack
Smarter packing will make for a better trip, so don’t wait until the evening or morning before you leave. Check the weather forecast earlier in the week and plan ahead to lay-out what you’ll definitely want to take with you.

Downsize
“I wish I packed less” is an oft-repeated motto from returning travelers. Dresses, pants, jackets, shirts – all that clothing takes up space and will weigh you down. Streamline your travel wardrobe by only packing essentials that pull double-duty, such as shorts that you can rock on the beach or with dressier sandals for an evening out. Then, be ruthless with every item that you do pack and ask yourself if you really need it or not.

Pack healthy snacks
It’s amazing how much food affects your travels. Afterall, it’s way too easy to eat junk when you’re on the road – all that junk food is just too cheap and convenient to ignore! Make the smart decision to pack some healthy snacks when you’re on the go. You’ll feel more energized to take on bigger adventures, rather than laden with the urge to veg out in your hotel room.

Don’t get burned
Don’t forget to pack, and frequently apply, the most important summer travel essential — your favorite sunblock. There’s nothing that can ruin a vacation faster than a painful sunburn and walking around with lobster-pink skin. Enough said.

Eat like a local
One of the easiest ways to ensure an authentic experience anywhere you go is to look outside of the tourism office for advice. Both your taste buds and your wallet will thank you because you’ll avoid expensive tourist traps and save money by ordering area specialties.

End it with a bang
Arrange a special activity on one of the last days of your vacation, giving you something to anticipate with excitement and providing you with special memories to savor on the trip home. Depending on your locale, consider whitewater rafting, a sunset dinner cruise or perhaps a spectacular live performance.

Relax!
Your body is on vacation and your mind should be too. That means put down the smartphone, stop texting and leave that inbox alone. You won’t be able to truly relax and unwind if you stay plugged in to work. Tune out at the beach with energizing music. Pack a simple and fun book for the beach – this is not the time to catch up on tech news or industry newsletters!

All Aboard! Lightrail Packages

Leave the cab fare in your room and don’t bother with that walking map. Travel like a local and jump on the coolest and fastest transportation a big city can offer – the local lightrail system. We sought out these hotels so keen on their urban trains that they’re including in some of their packages. Welcome aboard!

Silvercloud Hotel Stadium, Seattle, Washington
The hottest ticket in Seattle gives you a seamless and scenic arrival. The Link Light Rail takes you from the SEA-TAC Airport to Stadium Station in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square District in a mere 20 minutes for only $3.75 per way ($.75 for seniors). Less than one block away from the station, you’ll find the Silvercloud Hotel Stadium, which holds a premier spot across the street from the home fields of the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks. If not a sports buff, you can soak in their rooftop outdoor pool and spa tub on the 9^th floor or stay connected with their complimentary 24-hour business center or wireless Internet access.

Hilton Baltimore Airport, Maryland
Who says there is no such thing as a “free ride”? We beg to differ, and so will you after checking out this fun package at the Hilton Baltimore Airport. This modern and chic business property highlights the city’s waterside attractions and their lightrail with their Aquarium Package. Starting at $149 a night (two-night minimum), this package includes:

• Two nights accommodations
• Tickets for 2 to the Baltimore National Aquarium
• Two light rail passes to the Inner Harbor
• Free airport shuttle

Holiday Inn Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

One hotel really understands the meaning of, “take me out to a ballgame.” The Holiday Inn Metrodome boasts an ultra-convenient location close to the financial district, University of Minnesota and of course, home of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Be a baseball champ and book the hotel’s Premium Package, that comes complete with round-trip light rail tickets to travel to the game in eco-friendly style. This package includes:

• Seats in section 112, called Home Plate Box in row 6-7, seats 7-10
• One night accommodation in a standard room (one king or two double beds)
• Two tickets to the game
• Two light rail round-trip tickets
• Breakfast for two
• Transportation to the Light Trail Metrodome station
• Overnight parking for one vehicle

Great July 4 Package Deals

Celebrate Independence Day with a much-deserved vacation! All over the country, the skies will light up with firework displays and roads and airports will be brimming with travelers just like you. Here at GetawayPackages.com, we’re letting freedom ring with these not-to-be-missed Fourth of July hotel packages.

W Hotel Washington D.C.
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than in our nation’s capital? Get the best seats in town when you book the Boom With a View Package at the sexy and sophisticated W Hotel, the closest hotel to the White House. Head up to the 11^th floor rooftop bar and restaurant where you’ll have the best seats in all the city to see the July 4th fireworks igniting the sky above the Washington Monument. Have the sudden urge to sing the Star-Spangled Banner? We do, too.

• Deluxe room accommodations
• Admission for 2 to W Washington D.C.’s exclusive rooftop party
• Spectacular view of the fireworks
• Live musical performances
• Premium open bar
• Delicious bites by Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges

Glenn Hotel, Atlanta, GA
Infuse your Independence Day holiday with a big dose of southern hospitality. The charming and boutique Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection,  brims with style and occupies a 1923 limestone building at a prime downtown location. The  11^th story rooftop bar and restaurant is a scene of urban landscaping, where you’ll find the chef’s thriving herb garden. It’s also where you’ll watch the fireworks extravaganza at Centennial Olympic Park when you book the hotel’s Red, White and Boom Package. This package includes:

• Overnight accommodations for 2
• Breakfast for 2
• Roof-top sky lounge to view the fireworks

Boston Harbor Hotel
Gaining independence from the British parliament did not happen overnight. A series of events led to the American Revolution, most notably, the Boston Tea Party. Go back to the scene of this patriotic time in history and celebrate what our forefathers fought for with a stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel. This luxury grand property is right on the water and close to the airport. Plus, each room’s large bay windows frame a view of the boat-filled harbor or the Boston cityscape. Book the Stars and Stripes Package this July 4^th and receive:

• Overnight stay with luxurious accommodations
• Priority seating and meal for two at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille Outdoor Terrace
• Full American breakfast for two
• Complimentary valet parking
• Use of the fitness center and pool

Crown Plaza Downtown Houston
Positioned in the heart of downtown Houston, the Crowne Plaza is within walking distance to a bevy of attractions, such as the Bayou Place, Houston’s Theatre District and the new downtown aquarium. Houston is also home to one of the biggest fireworks displays in the country, Freedom Over Texas. This six-hour festival has been a Houston tradition for decades and showcases a host of nationally known country music stars. The night ends with a spectacular fireworks show set to country music. Go big this Independence Day with the 4th of July Package: Bigger in Texas! Package. It includes:

• Deluxe overnight accommodations
• Overnight valet parking
• Full breakfast for up to 4 people
• View of the Freedom Over Texas fireworks
• Mini-American flags for the family
• Complimentary shuttle transportation throughout downtown

Happy Independence Day!

Father’s Day Getaway Packages

Treat your number-one fella to something special this Father’s Day with a vacation getaway to suit his personality. Whether he’s a fly-fishing enthusiast who likes to reel them in, a golf addict who loves time with his buddies on the greens, or is even more of a kid than you are, now’s the time to give props to your pops. We’ve sought out these Father’s Day hotel packages as a toast to all the awesome dads out there.  After all, where would we all be without them?

Manor Vail Lodge, Colorado
Set between Ford Park and Golden Peak in Vail Village, Manor Vail Lodge offers both hotel rooms and fully-furnished condos. Their peaceful creek-side perch is directly across from the Golden Peak Base facilities and the heart of Vail Village is just a short stroll away.  This mountain escape is also the ideal place for your dad to steal away with his golf clubs for their Father’s Day Family Golf Weekend. One of the highlights of this package is the chance to meet and talk with author Steve Friedman, who wrote Driving Lessons, a book about how he learned to understand his own father’s passion for golf to improve their father-son relationship. Now, if that isn’t a Father’s Day read, we don’t know what is. This package includes:

• 20% off best available lodging rate at Manor Vail Lodge
• Invitation to the Steve Friedman’s book signing and cocktail hour
• 1 round of golf (18 holes) for 2 people at The Vail Golf Club ($100, includes cart)
• 20% off all soft goods in the Vail Golf Club Pro Shop
• 30% off rental clubs in the Vail Golf Club Pro Shop
• Free 10-minute driving lesson with a Vail Golf Club pro prior to tee off
• Voucher for 1 appetizer, 2 drinks ($25 value) at The Fitz Lounge at Manor Vail Lodge
• Free parking

Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, California
Sometimes, your dad just wants a few quiet moments. Okay, a LOT of quiet moments. Treat your dad to a weekend with the outdoors, by polishing off his fishing pole and booking him a stay at the Resort at Squaw Creek. This secluded resort  that’s just nine miles from Lake Tahoe’s north shore offers luxurious finishes and expansive windows showcasing forest or alpine views. Book their Father’s Day Getaway and make your dad feel like the big fish in a small pond. Starting at $369 per night, this package includes:

• Two nights in a Deluxe Guestroom
• Dinner with other fishing enthusiasts to talk about your big catches of the day. Enjoy a three-course family-style trout dinner for two (guests can be added for additional fee) in the signature restaurant, Six Peaks Grille. Dinner served at 8pm Saturday, June 18, 2011. Menu features:
• Freshly baked sourdough bread served with whipped butter and volcanic sea salt
• Organic California heirloom tomatoes, dressed with a chiffonade of basil, feta cheese and imported Banyuls vinaigrette
• Brown butter pan-fried Idaho red trout, herb crusted fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus and Irish oat veloute
• Sticky toffee caramel cake, toasted almond snap and mint simple syrup
• Three-hour Cast N’ Catch Fly Fishing Class with expert instructor Matt Heron for two.
• Class begins with an hour-and-a-half casting lesson, which leads into an hour-and-a-half of guided fishing on the private, stocked Resort at Squaw Creek ponds.

Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort, Columbus, Ohio
So, the old man is really a big kid at heart?  Then, tell him to pack his swimming trunks for a weekend of splashing, sliding and wild waterpark fun! The Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort is home to a climate-controlled, 84-degree indoor waterpark (duh) with 12 water rides, a lazy river, countless water activities and even an adult-only hot tub. For a weekend where all the family can reap the fun-filled benefits, book their Father’s Day Weekend Package, which includes:

• One Night Hotel Accommodations
• 4 Two Day Waterpark Passes
• Breakfast for up to 4
• Voucher for $5.00 for ‘Jumbo Bucket of Golf Balls’ at Eastland Golf & Fun Center
• Voucher for $2.00 Unlimited Indoor and Outdoor Mini Golf at Eastland Golf & Fun Center
• Rates start at $179 + tax per night
• Kid’s Suites start at $199 + tax per night

Last Minute Memorial Day Trip

Haven’t yet found that perfect vacation package for Memorial Day weekend to mark the start of the summer travel season? These last-minute trip ideas will ensure the long weekend is a memorial one at some of the hottest summer destinations in the U.S.

DRIVE TO HAWAII
Yes, anything is possible. At least it is when you want to avoid taking an expensive flight to Hawaii for an island getaway. Nestled along the San Diego Bay in forever-sunny San Diego, Shelter Island is the closest you’ll get to a tropical oasis without leaving the mainland. This island enclave includes four waterfront hotels, swaying palm trees, San Diego’s most popular outdoor venue, authentic summer Polynesian luau, grassy knolls, and supreme marina and downtown views. The island-wide Drive to Hawaii packages start at $119 at each hotel and include:

• The Bay Club Hotel & Marina – 2 night stay in a water-view room, 2 welcome tropical drinks in the lounge, welcome basket, full breakfast for 2, complimentary hotel parking
• Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites – 2 nights of deluxe accommodations, welcome cocktails/beverage, tropical flowers, deluxe Luau Platter served Bayside, poolside or in your room, and 2 hours of a complimentary bike rental.
• Best Western Island Palms Hotel & Marina – 2 nights of waterfront view accommodations, breakfast for 2 each day, welcome cocktails and appetizer, upgrade to a water front view suite with a $185 rate.
• Kona Kai Resort Spa and Marina – 2 nights of waterfront accommodations, welcome Mai Tai, Hawaiian fruit basket, a Happy Hour Pupu Plate, Guest Passport Savings Card, and a 20 percent local restaurant discounts.

GET THE JUMP ON YOUR SAN DIEGO SUMMER
Stay at the iconic property that crowns San Diego’s historical center, at the Old Town State Historic Park. The Spanish-style Best Western Plus Hacienda Old Town sits along Old Town’s tallest hillside with unmatched views of the city. Their Get The Jump On Your San Diego Summer package includes:

• Deluxe accommodations
• Breakfast for 2
• $25 Gas Card
• Late check-out (3pm)
• Bring your pet along for $20

Pet Friendly in Old Town

GAYLORD NATIONAL WEB-ONLY SALE
For the granddaddy of all Memorial Day vacations, you must stay at the granddaddy of all resorts – the Gaylord Resorts and Convention Centers. Famous for their ‘everything in one place’ approach to hospitality, you’ll find attractions, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, all under the same roof as your hotel room. At each of their four upscale resorts near Nashville, Orlando, Dallas, and Washington DC, Gaylord Hotels is offering a not-to-be-missed Memorial Day Weekend deal. Save 20 percent on rates from $179, plus receive a free atrium upgrade. Offer only valid for travel May 27-30.

 

 A PET-FRIENDLY MEMORIAL DAY
The Memorial Day weekend also marks the end of National Pet Friendly Month, so make sure your vacation includes your four-legged child, without the added cost. Kimpton Hotels have always felt warm and fuzzy for furry guests and have a special HosPETality Unleashed program, that includes treats, bowls, beds and toys. Other pet perks include:

• A ‘pet psychic’ at Hotel Monaco Portland who visits monthly during their hosted wine hour.
  • Doggie bed turn down service for pets at Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle. Room service also leaves pup “sculptures” made from towels on owners’ beds during turn down.
  • “Hers and Furs Pet-icures” (side-by-side human and pet manicure) at The Muse Hotel in New York City.

National Pet Friendly Month

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

If music is the soul of New Orleans, then jazz is its heart. From street performers and night clubs to music festivals and  jazz funerals, the sweet sound of jazz fills the streets and welcomes you in. We’ve picked our three favorite New Orleans jazz spots… what are yours?

1. Preservation Hall
   In 1961, Preservation Hall opened its doors with one goal: to protect and honor New Orleans style jazz and 50 years later, they’re still bringing down the house. Located in the French Quarter, only three blocks from the Mississippi River, The Hall features nightly performances from veteran musicians in their 70s and 80s who turn “jazz” into an action.
2. Palm Court Jazz Café
   Inside this 19^th century historic building on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, an authentic New Orleans experience awaits. It’s hard to decide which is better, the music or the food, but every evening a different band performs with its own unique style and flare as guests dine on authentic Creole cuisine, made from recipes that date back several generations.
3. Maison Bourbon (so cool, they don’t have a website)
   This intimate club features a dynamic lineup of musicians who specialize in traditional and Dixieland jazz. Located on Bourbon Street, you can grab a seat and a refreshing mint julep, and settle in for a mind-blowing jam session. And if you’re lucky, you might catch an unforgettable performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Interested in traveling to New Orleans? We’ve got the perfect hotel for you:

Windsor Court Hotel
Just a short walk from the historic French Quarter, the Windsor Court Hotel is perfect for business and leisure travel alike. Indulge in one of Windsor Court’s luxurious suites and then relax over a gastronomic feast for two in The Grill Room. The Grill Gourmet Package includes:

• One night in a suite accommodation
• An award-winning three-course dinner for two in The Grill Room

Rates start at $170 per night. Call 888- 596-0955 to book your reservation.

Dauphine Orleans Hotel
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World
Experience the magic of Mardi Gras year-round with a tour of Mardi Gras World, where the artists of Blaine Kern Studios, the world-renowned masters of Carnival sculpture and float building, create their magic. Walk among towering figures of fantasy and acquire an insider’s appreciation of the history and traditions of Carnival. The package includes:

• 3 days and 2 nights deluxe guestroom accommodations
• Two tickets to tour Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World including shuttle transportation
• Complimentary deluxe Continental breakfast daily
• Complimentary welcome beverage coupon for use in Historic May Baily’s Lounge
• Café au Lait and Beignets at Café du Monde

Rates start at $250 per night. Click here to book your reservation  or call 800-521-7111 and ask for promo code: mgw

Hotel Monteleone
Girlfriend Getaway Spa Package
The French Quarter begins in the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone, giving guests the best point of departure for all things New Orleans. The Girlfriend Spa Package includes:

• 3 days and 2 nights deluxe accommodations
• American breakfast
• Welcome cocktail and Tales of the Cocktail Tour
• 60-minute massage
• Complimentary use of hotel’s exercise facility and heated rooftop pool

The package costs $715 on weekdays, $790 on weekends. Click here to book your reservation.

Why Book Directly with a Hotel?

You’ve selected your destination, set the date and booked your flights. Now all that is left to do is pick the hotel, but with so many properties to choose from, we know this step can be a little overwhelming.

You might turn to a third party online travel agency (OTA) to compare and contrast the competing properties and prices in your vacation city, but travelers beware: OTAs charge hidden fees that they cleverly disguise behind words like “discount,” “savings” and “deals.” These fees can average up to 20 – 30% more than what you would pay if you book with the hotel directly, and that doesn’t sit well with us. That’s why the hotel packages that you find on our website will take you directly to the hotel’s online booking engine, no hidden fees attached.

We might be a little biased, but we’re all about value and quality vacations, so here’s our list of five reasons why we think it best to avoid OTAs and book your next hotel reservation directly:

• Save: More often than not, hotel websites offer the same room rates as OTAs with no additional booking fees.
• Confirmation: You can feel confident that your reservation will not be lost between a third party intermediary and the hotel, and if something pops up and you can’t make your trip, the hotel will honor your reservation with refunds or credits. When you book a reservation with an OTA, you pay the entire balance upfront, with no chances of a refund or date flexibility.
• Customer Service: When you book directly through the hotel’s reservation department, you are treated as a hotel guest and not just an OTA client. Hotels can then offer a more personalized experience that can translate into perks like early check-in, late check-out, on-site incentives and post-stay follow up.
• Relationship: Hotels love their guests, but regulars have a special place in their heart. Returning guests and members of hotel rewards programs are often offered room upgrades and comps as a way of saying “thanks.” The staff might get to know you and add special notes into your guest profile.
• Ease: Hotels have significantly improved their websites with comprehensive online booking engines that provide real time rates, multi-lingual and multi-currency options and high security standards and protection.

Have you experienced additional benefits to booking directly with a hotel? Let us know!