We know how it is. Between all the midterm exams, afterschool carpooling, and winter sports schedules, the next school break somehow just snuck up on you. No worries. There's still time to snag a good deal on a last-minute getaway with the kids:
5th Night Free at Florida's Sandestin Resort
No one could blame you if you confused the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for a small town. Spread out more than 2,400 acres on Florida's northwest Gulf Coast, the resort's accommodations are grouped into 30 "village neighborhoods," with 1,800 lodging options ranging from high-rise beachfront condos and dockside villas to bayfront condos and golf-course townhomes. There's a pedestrian village with shops, restaurants, nightly entertainment, and the Baytowne Adventure Zone with a zipline, ropes course, and eurobungy. You'll also find four golf courses, 15 tennis courts, multiple swimming pools, miles of bike and jogging paths, half a dozen kids' play areas, a five-acre nature park, plus a fitness center and spa. Head to the marina for sailing and fishing, or go to the beach for free rentals of kayaks and boogie boards. There's also a kids' club, teen sailing classes, a teens-only pool area, and an arcade.
The Sandestin has announced three offers that promise savings on spring stays at the resort. The one with the widest family appeal looks to be the "Spring into a Free Night" promo, which offers a fifth night free when you pay for four. When we test-booked a five-night stay in April, we were glad to see that the promo rates (from $139 per night for a standard guest room) are identical to the resort's regular rates. (This is important, because some resorts increase the nightly rate to recoup some of the cost of the "free" night. Not the case here.) With a fifth night free, the average nightly rate for that standard room drops to $111.
No matter what kind of accommodations you need, you're in luck. The promo delivers a 20% savings across the board, so you could also nab a one-bedroom beachside condo for $241 per night (instead of $339) or a three-bedroom golf-course villa for $267 per night (instead of $409).
The "Spring to the Beach" promo is valid for stays from March 1 through May 23. Rates exclude the nightly resort charge, taxes and departure cleaning fees. Book online or call tel. 800/622-1038 and use promo code FREE5.
Gaylord Hotels: 15% off + $50 dining credit
Has your family got a case of the winter blahs? Gaylord Hotels' Winter Weekend Getaway package might be just what the doctor ordered. Gaylord Hotels -- with locations in Nashville, Dallas, Kissimmee, and Washington, D.C. -- are known for their flawless service and wondrous interiors. Each property features an enormous climate-controlled atrium where it's always 72 degrees, no matter the weather outside. The indoor spaces are filled with gardens, cascading waterfalls, shops, restaurants, spa, swimming pools, and daily entertainment. The newest property is the Gaylord National, overlooking the monuments and skyline of our nation's capital. The property is part of the newly developed National Harbor, a waterfront community set along the historic Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Kids will love the nightly fountain shows and Potomac Playzone arcade.
The Winter Weekend Getaway offer features a 15% discount off best-available weekend room rates, plus a $50 dining credit good for breakfast or in-room dining. When we price-checked a Saturday stay in February at Gaylord National, we found a regular nightly rate of $209 for a double room. With the package, that room was priced at $177, which does work out to a discount of 15%. Don't forget to factor in the $50 dining credit.
The offer is valid on one-night stays on a Friday or Saturday through Feb. 29. The rate does not include taxes, fees or parking; other restrictions apply. Book online or call the individual hotel's reservations line (phone numbers are available on the website) and ask for the "Winter Weekend Getaway" offer.
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