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3 Summer Steals in the Sunshine State

Score discounts and extra value at these family-friendly hotels in Florida.

As temperatures zoom upward in the Sunshine State, hotel rates come down. That makes Florida a great place to snag a steal for a summer family getaway. Here are three fabulous deals on the table right now:

Save Up to 25% at Florida Marriott Properties This Summer

Marriott Hotels & Resorts has kicked off a "Get it While It's Hot" promotion that promises savings of up to 25% at 19 participating properties in the Sunshine State, from Panama City to Boca Raton and plenty of spots in between.

We test-booked the offer for the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, about 22 miles from Jacksonville. This 508-room resort has a beach, four pools, a kids' club, two golf courses, a beach clubhouse with playground, and 350 acres of fishing-friendly lakes. It's been named one of the country's Top 50 resorts by Condé Nast Traveler and is acclaimed as a great family beach resort by Parents magazine. A Tower Guest Room regularly goes for $189 per night, but this promo drops the price to $134. That's a savings of $55, and a 29% discount.

The promo must be booked by May 13 and is valid for travel from May 15 to Sept. 30. Book online or call tel. 800/834-7015 and use promo code F9L.

Book an Orlando Villa for $99 Per Night

One of our favorite bargain-finding sources, Travelzoo's (www.travelzoo.com) most recent Top 20 deals newsletter spotlights a family-friendly offer that really grabbed our attention: a $99-a-night rate for a roomy two-bedroom suite at The Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando, Orange Lake Resort. The rate is good for stays of two or more nights now through June 12 and Aug. 14 through Sept. 30. The resort is just two miles from Disney World and has its own 12-acre water park. Each suite boasts a fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and free Wi-Fi. The suite can sleep up to eight people.

The $99-a-night special offer is 34% less than the resort's best available rate of $154. (Travelzoo's claim that the rate is "50% off" comes from their observation that other hotels in the area charge 50% more this time of year.)

To get this deal, you must book by May 11. After entering your dates, be sure to choose the "Two-Bedroom Villa, 1 King, 2 Queen Beds." Or call tel. 866/241-5045 and use rate code IDP01.

The fine print: The $99 rate is nonrefundable and must be prepaid in full. Rooms must be booked at least 48 hours before arrival, and there are blackout dates in May. If you're interested, move quickly as these Top 20 deals tend to sell out fast.

Save 30% With the VIP package at Hyatt Regency Bonaventure

Fresh off a $100 million renovation, Fort Lauderdale's 23-acre Hyatt Regency Bonaventure boasts a spa, a golf course, a nature trail, and four swimming pools. This summer, the resort has teamed up with the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB to offer a "Vacation Like a VIP" package that includes accommodations, valet parking, and a resort credit. The offer requires a two-night minimum stay from June 1 to Oct. 15. Is it a good deal for families? The package includes:

  • lodging in an upgraded executive double room (normally $149/night)
  • valet parking (worth $10/day)
  • $25 American Express gift card ($25)
  • $100 resort credit ($100)
  • Super Summer Savings Card, offering 2-for-1 admission to area attractions (value depends on number of attractions you visit)

We test-booked a two-night weekend stay in June for two adults and two kids. When we priced out the package components separately, the total price came to $443. For the same dates, the package rate was quoted at $318. The difference of $125 translates to a 30% savings.

The nightly package rate is $10 higher than the regular room rate, but the package's value-added components more than make up that difference. The valet parking and American Express gift card are nice perks, and the savings card offers discounts on family outings. The real value, though, is in that $100 resort credit, which can be used to pay for meals.

Saving 30% is always a good deal in our book. Since the $100 resort credit is a one-time bonus, you'll get the most value from this offer if you stay just two nights.

When you book this offer, you have to pre-pay the package rate plus a $100-a-day deposit toward incidental charges you might incur during your stay. Book online or call tel. 800/492-8804 and use promo code LUXE.

WeJustGotBack.com is an award-winning family travel site, featuring reviews of kid-friendly hotels and resorts, expert planning advice, readers' travel tips, and more. Want an easy way to find out about vacation deals? Sign up for our family travel e-newsletter. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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