September 3, 2003 -- We told you earlier about some great ways to save on lodgings for Christmasy, wintery travel. Now we're back to tell you about two more groups offering reduced rates across the U.S and London.
America first, then. The Kimpton Hotel Group, based out of San Francisco, has some giggle-inducing (for the titles, that is) packages at all of the 38 properties. Here's a sampling:
- Down in risqué New Orleans, the Monaco Hotel there has come up with two deals that sound like fun. One is the "Naughty or Nice Package," priced at $109 per night per room, with a Santa hat upon arrival, a naughty or nice in-room movie, cookies and milk, a free cocktail, a note from Santa and more. From December 1 through 29, 2003, not including tax. The Santa Paws Package includes a room also at $109, welcome gifts of a pet toy and VIP pet tag, pet bed with turndown service including treat and a bowl of Evian water, a local map to dog-friendly parks and a cocktail hour. A portion of proceeds will benefit the first-ever Charity Animal Hospital to be located in the city. Same dates, terms as for Naughty or Nice. Contact the Monaco at 866/561-0010 or 504/561-0010 or visit www.monaco-neworleans.com.
- In Portland, Oregon, the Hotel Vintage Plaza has a "Snuggle With Your Santa Package," priced at $129 per room (or $159 for a suite with a Japanese soaking tub). The deal comes with rose petals on your bed at turndown, champagne on arrival and free valet parking. Taxes not included. Avail from November 14, 2003 through January 4, 2004, not valid on December 31, 2003. Contact 800/243-0555 or 503/228-1212, www.vintageplaza.com.
- At the Monaco in San Francisco, there's the "Make a Wish, Get a Fish Package" that gives you, for $179 a room, a pet goldfish for the duration of your stay, morning coffee service and evening wine reception, and free use of the fitness center. The hotel will donate $5 from each room night to the Make a Wish Foundation. Subject to availability from November 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004. Contact them at 800/214-4220 or 415/292-0100, www.monaco-sf.com.
Kimpton has 38 hotels and 39 restaurants across the US and Canada in the previously mentioned locations as well as in Aspen, Cambridge, Denver, Salt Lake City, Silicon Valley, Tacoma, Vancouver and Whistler. For more details or to book, contact them at www.kimptongroup.com or 800/KIMPTON (same as 800/546-7866).
London Lodgings for Less
The Red Carnation Hotels have five boutique hotels in London, each with a different character, in four unique neighborhoods, including two just across the street from Her Majesty's digs when she is in town. They've put together three different kinds of packages for Christmas, one of which are good for a period of five months over the winter.
Most promising, for those who want air and land arrangements, is a "London At Its Best" deal, priced from $839, with roundtrip airfare for two persons, lodging for three nights, tour of London, traditional tea service, fish & chips and full English breakfasts. The price works out to less than $140 per night per person, including the airfare from New York or Boston. The same deal out of Chicago goes from $1,003, or about $167 a night. To get this package, you must book by September 30, for travel between November 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004. The prices mentioned are for their four-star hotels, The Chesterfield (in Mayfair), the Montague on the Gardens (in Bloomsbury) and the Rubens (at the Palace). There is a $40 high season supplement per night between November 1 and December 13, 2003. You can pay more for staying at their two five-star hotels, The Milestone (in Kensington) and 41 (at the Palace).
A "Magical London" package is good at the three four-star hotels mentioned above, and is land-only. The deal includes two nights' lodging, welcome gift, gift-wrapping service, full English breakfast, mistletoe in your room, tea for two with Christmas cake, a taxi ride to Trafalgar Square to see the traditional Christmas Tree there, and a stocking stuffed with goodies on Christmas Day morning. Available between December 1, 2003 and January 5, 2004. Prices range from $311 to $336 for two persons sharing a double or twin room. That works out to about $156 per night per couple. There's a $40 supplement between December 1 and 13.
Finally, at the swanky 41 Hotel, across from Buckingham Palace or at the Milestone (overlooking Kensington Palace), there's a 5-Star Christmas package, costing from $699 for a double room for two nights, working about to about $350 per night per couple. You get the deluxe room, welcome gift, wreath, mistletoe, three-course dinner for two, full English breakfasts, tea with Christmas cake, bottle of red and one of white, and on Christmas morning, the stuffed stocking. Available December 1, 2003 through January 5, 2004.
All rates mentioned for the Red Carnation hotels are exclusive of air and government taxes and subject to availability. For more details or to book, contact RCH at or view online www.41hotel.com or www.milestonehotel.com. The overall site for their properties is www.redcarnationhotels.com.
