September 6, 2004 -- As we head into fall and winter, the weather starts getting cooler and the prices start getting better. Today we've got deals at Zion National Park and Lake Tahoe, plus chances to practice your Italian and Polish without ever leaving the comfort of your hotel.
Reduced Rates at Zion
Zion National Park Lodge (888/29 PARKS same as 888/297-2757 or 303/29 PARKS same as 303/297-2757; www.zionlodge.com) is getting ready for fall and winter guests with packages for the upcoming seasons. Their "Awe-Some Awe-tum" package is designed to coincide with the changing colors in the park; the leaves often pose a vivid contrast to the spectacular canyon walls. Good from November 1 through 22, 2004, guests receive one night at full rate and the second night for 50% off. Full room rates at Zion Lodge are $124.25 for a standard room (sleeping two adults), $132.25 for a cabin and $146.25 for a suite.
The "Zion in Winter" package includes breakfast and is available Sundays through Thursdays from December 1, 2004 through March 9, 2005. Standard room rate is only $73.40, a cabin is $83.40, and a suite is $118.40. The winter rate goes up by $10 on Friday and Saturday nights, and the weekend rate applies during the period of December 23 through 30, 2004, but does not then include breakfast. Prices are for two persons in a room.
New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day packages are also available. These prices range from $138.40 for a standard room to $173.40 for a suite.
Taxes and tips are not included in any of the deals above.
Lake Tahoe
Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina (755/589-4907; www.zephyrcove.com) has a special fall package that runs from September 8 through November 22, 2004, with a savings of over $150. For just $299, you get three nights' lodging for two in a lakeside cabin, an Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise for two on the MS Dixie II, and free breakfast and lunch for two at the resort restaurant. That all works out to less than $50 per person per night.
Zephyr Cove is just four miles from Stateline NV on Highway 50 along Tahoe's South Shore. Cabins overlook the lake and beach, and among other amenities you'll find a campground and RV park, recreational cruises, boating, horseback riding, beach volleyball, sport fishing, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, and barbecuing. Pets welcome.
Forget Berlitz, I'm Going to Jolly
The Italy-based hotel chain, Jolly Hotels (212/802-0600; www.jollymadison.com) has come up with an unusual incentive, a chance to learn Italian at their hotel in New York City. If you stay at the Jolly Hotel Madison Towers in New York, you get a little Italian flag lapel pin, which alerts the hotel staff to speak to you in Italian only. The pin is free, but room rates start at $169. (If you want to journey overseas, the Jolly chain has dozens of hotels in Rome, Florence and Milan, among other cities.)
While visiting the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel (888/236-2427 or directly 011/48 22 650 0100) at the Warsaw International Airport Hotel, you'll see the same idea at work. Put on the little Polish flag pin and employees will speak to you in Polish only. Again, the pin is free, but room rates begin at $99.
In either hotel, if you are not up to snuff in the language concerned, just remove the pin and the bilingual staff will address you again in English.
