March 3, 2004 -- Just to be sure that their hotels have less empty rooms this spring, several chains are offering deep discounts on some of their properties, while praying for a summer rebound in reservations. Take advantage of these before business improves and prices start crawling back toward the sky.
Homewood Suites by Hilton, which has over 100 residential style, upscale all-suite hotels throughout the US and Canada, is offering rates as low as $79 per room at participating hotels for weekend nights (Thursdays through Sundays) from March 4 through April 30. This "Spring into Homewood" promotion also offers you an extra hour on the weekend of April 1-4, when everyone turns clocks back to start Daylight Savings Time. How? By letting you check out at 1 PM instead of noon, that's how. If you book online, you'll also get an e-coupon valid for a 10% discount at Watchzone.com, an online watch store, to help you remember the new DST time. For reservations, phone 800/CALL HOME or visit www.homewoodsuites.com.
From now through May 31, Hyatt Resorts are offering a deal at 18 participating resorts in the US and Caribbean. You can stay as few as two nights to receive a third night free, plus up to $200 in flight credits per reservation for any future vacation. Rates on this "Sunshine on Sale" promo start as low as $165 per room. The flight credits are good for future travel before April 30, 2005, on any airline and any flight worldwide, they say, with no blackouts. Some resorts have free breakfasts and savings on beach toys and activities. For reservations and more information, call 800/55-HYATT or visit www.hyatt.com.
The Millennium Hotel chain has specials going on in most of its US properties this spring, with varying eligibility dates. Their "Spring Fever" deals include the following: At their Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, there's a Classic Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) package, from $99 per room, with two tickets to MOCA and free valet parking, through May 31. A Club MOCA package puts you on their club floor with a room at $129 per night, including continental breakfast, afternoon snacks with wine, and health club access. A Weekend Theater Package on the club floor includes dinner for two, at $199 per night.
Up in Boston, the Bostonian Hotel has three packages, expiring at the end of March, April or on September 6 this year, depending on the one you choose. One is for "Pampering," one for the Museum of Fine Arts and one is a Premier Ticket Package, costing $199, $229 and $299, respectively. Two additional theater packages start at $189 or $199, expiring on June 30.
The chain's Maxwell House in Nashville has two family-centered packages, one called "Kids Go Wild," the other "Family Adventure," each priced at $149.99. For this price, you get lodging for one night, two buffet meals for the adults and two children's menu items, as well as four tickets to the Zoo (the Wild Package) or four tickets to the Science Center (Adventure Package). The Wild package is good April 1-October 31 and the Adventure package through the end of the year.
Other packages of similar savings are available at the chains' properties in New York City, Scottsdale AZ, Durham NC, Minneapolis and St. Louis. For more information, phone 866/866-8086 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.
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