October 15, 2003 -- Serving your country these days offers fewer tangible rewards than outsiders might think, so it's welcome news when resorts and vacation areas offer special deals to veterans and military personnel currently on duty. We've previously reported on the benefits of the Veterans Advantage organization and on a spate of deals for military personnel on active duty and R&R. Today we tell you about a weekend in New England and a week in the Virgin Islands.
New Hampshire
In North Conway, the New Hampshire folks of Mt. Washington Valley take Veteran's Day seriously, with a Heroes Day of Honor on November 11th. The day begins with a Memorial March down White Mountain Highway at 9, followed by a flag raising ceremony and a memorial service at 11, both in North Conway Village. There's a free luncheon at the Grand Hotel at about 12:30 (non-vets will have to pay $15). After lunch, there's a panel discussion with veterans of the Korean War (1950-1953, though a peace treaty has never been signed) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the fighting's termination.
A lodging package costing only $39 per night includes room on Monday or Tuesday, November 10 and/or 11, 2003, offered to veterans and a guest. (One spot has rooms at $29, they say.) Additionally, two spots will offer twofer dinners on November 11th itself. Finally, the historic Mt. Washington Cog Railway will take you up to the halfway point for just $15 if you're a veteran.
Participating properties include: Admiral Peary House (where he lived), Grand Hotel, Red Apple Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Green Granite Inn, Suisse Chalets Village Inn, 1785 Inn, Chippanock Inn, Merrill Farm Resort, Golden Gables Inn. The restaurants offering twofer dinners on Veterans Day are Decades Steak House and Christmas Farm Inn. For more information, contact the Mt. Washington Chamber of Commerce at 800/367-3364 or go to www.mtwashingtonvalley.org.
Caribbean Getaway
They can't offer a parade or memorial service, but the Bolongo Bay Beach Club down on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Island is offering a Veterans Day promotion in which you pay for five nights and get two free. In addition all military personnel will get $300 of savings and value in the form of tours and island attractions, including an all-day sail, an island tour, admission to Coral World and a ride on the Paradise Point Tramway, a cable car journey to the top of the mountain. It's available to past and present members of the armed services who book the five-night minimum on either the Semi-Inclusive Continental Plan (CP) or All-Inclusive (AI) option. This is good for reservations made for travel from October 15 through November 15, 2003. (You'll need your military ID, past or present, when you check in.)
The Bolongo has 65 beachfront rooms along a crescent-shaped, palm-lined beach. Each room has a private balcony, ceiling fan, air conditioning, color cable TV, hair dryers, radio and alarm clocks, iron and board, safe and phone, and private bathroom, as well as an efficiency kitchen with a mini refrigerator.
You have to book this promotion directly through the resort's on-island reservations department at 800/524-4746 or via e-mail to info@bolongobay.com. Nightly CP rates are $145 per room from now through October 31, 2003, $195 from November 1 through December 22, 2003. Rates are for two persons in the room and do not include eight percent hotel tax and five percent service charge. The CP plan includes continental breakfast daily, all non-motorized water sports, an introductory scuba lesson, free shopping shuttle to town, use of the fitness center and basketball courts, as well as the amenities mentioned earlier. When I phoned to check on prices, I was quoted $975 for the seven nights, plus the two taxes mentioned. This is the same as their regular "Club Everything Bonus Package" which runs from November 1 through December 15, 2003, by the way.
The All-Inclusive (AI) rate is $350 per room through October 31, 2003, and $400 from November 1 through December 22, 2003. That includes all meals, beverages, all water sports, and much more. Their website is www.bolongobay.com.