A chill in the air can be a good thing, especially when it comes to prices of accommodation at several U.S. National Parks.
The Furnace Creek Inn (tel. 800/236-7916; www.furnacecreekresort.com) is a historic Mission style property at California's Death Valley National Park. It overlooks desert salt pans and features views of the Panamint Mountains. Furnace Creek is offering a "Romantic Escape" package for stays from October 19, 2007 through May 8, 2008. The package includes three nights' accommodations in a luxury room with a king size bed and spa tub, a fruit and cheese welcome basket, a bottle of Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Blanc, two Furnace Creek Inn terrycloth bathrobes, an exclusive tour of Scotty's Castle and a horse-drawn carriage ride at sunset. The package, including tax, costs $1,500 per couple.
If golf is more appealing than romance, the nearby 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course has a stay & play packages this fall. The low elevation course features challenging greens, earning it a place on Golf Digest's list of America's 50 Toughest Courses. The package is for two people and includes overnight accommodations at the Furnace Creek Inn or the Furnace Creek Ranch, unlimited golf for one day, golf cart and club storage. From October 14 until November 21, 2007 the package is available with rates starting at $216 staying at the Ranch or $358. From November 25 through December 20, 2007 prices start at $195 at the Ranch and $320 at the Inn. Taxes are additional and there are blackout dates from November 2 to 4 and November 30 to December 2, 2007.
Zion Lodge (tel. 888/297-2757; www.zionlodge.com), located in Utah's Zion National Park has just released its lineup of special 2007-2008 fall and winter packages. Zion Lodge will again offer the popular "Awe-some Autumn" package during its fall foliage season. The deal gives guests staying two consecutive nights from November 1 to 19, 2007 a 50 per cent discount on the second night. Rates at Zion Lodge start at $150.85 plus tax for a standard room for two people. Mention the promotion code BOGO when making reservations. From December1, 2007 through March 13, 2008, travelers can experience the park's winter season at special "Zion in Winter" rates. The nightly rate for a Sunday-through-Thursday stay, including breakfast is $81 for a standard room, $91 for a western cabin or $111 for a suite. Weekend rates, including breakfast, are slightly higher: $91 for a standard room, $101 for a western cabin and $121 for a suite. Rates are $10 higher during the holiday periods of December 21 to 30, 2007 and February 15 to19, 2008. Mention the promotion code WNTR when making reservations. Blackout days are New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day.
Winter starts a little early price-wise at properties on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (tel. 888/297-2757; www.grandcanyonlodges.com). Some winter-season rates are more than 25 per cent lower than their summer counterparts. The Winter value rate of $78 per night plus tax is available from November 25, 2007 to March 6, 2008 at Maswik South and Yavapai West Lodges or $94 per night plus tax at Maswik North and Yavapai East Lodges. Black out dates are December 21, 2007 through January 5, 2008 and February 15 through 17, 2008. Children 16 and under stay at no extra charge.
The El Tovar Romance Package is available from November 25, 2007 to January 31, 2008 (excluding holiday periods). It includes one night in a standard queen room at the Registered National Historic Landmark El Tovar Hotel, a bottle of California sparkling wine in your room, a fruit basket and dinner for two with a bottle of Grand Canyon label wine in the El Tovar Dining Room. The package is priced from $299 plus tax subject to availability with upgrades available to deluxe rooms or suites for an additional charge.
Thunderbird Lodge (tel. 800/679-2473; www.tbirdlodge.com) is the only hotel in Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona. The 74-room lodge is reducing its rates for the 2007 -- 2008 winter season with up to 43 per cent off summer-season rates. The lodge will also provide a complimentary continental breakfast, 10 per cent off canyon tours and 10 per cent off gift shop purchases for overnight visitors who stay on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. The winter rates are in effect from November 1, 2007 to March 1, 2008, starting from $63 for a single room, $69 for a double, $75 for a triple and $81 for a quad. Suites are also available starting at $94.50 for two people. Taxes are additional.
Thunderbird Lodge also offers authorized group tours in Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto, some of the most sacred and culturally significant sites for the Navajo Nation. The tours are led by Navajo guides and take in the Anasazi ruins, pictographs, petroglyphs and historic Navajo battle locations. Rates for half-day tours (morning or afternoon) are $40.95 for adults and $31.50 for children 12 and under.
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