Raleigh, North Carolina, capital of that great state, wants to fill up its hotel rooms on weekends, when business travelers depart and service people stand around, hands in pockets, with little to do. So they've dreamed up a weekend promotion offering "more than $20 of savings" and other benefits for the rest of the year. They guarantee a lowest available TGIF rate, as little as $39 per night, at 50 participating hotel properties, including one B&B.
In addition, they give you a new 2002 Visitor Rewards Card, good for discount offers at participating local attractions, museums and golf clubs. Plus, you receive a Crabtree Valley Mall Gold Card, worth $10 towards purchases (including the food court), and you are guaranteed "lowest available TGIF golf rates" any day of the week at six participating courses.
As an added bonus, many of the TGIF hotels are offering their great rates and other benefits on Summer Thursdays, in addition to a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night stayover. Adding to the appeal, you can take advantage of the area's 21 free attractions, including the state museums of art, history and natural sciences, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (Arnold Palmer et al), the State Farmers Market and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens.
The double occupancy room rates range all the way from a low of $35 in winter to a high of $119 in autumn, but most fall within the $49 to $69 range. Highest prices for many hotels are in the Crabtree Valley area, but should you choose to stay downtown, you'll pay only from $49 in winter at the Clarion to $79 in fall at the Holiday Inn.
Call them toll-free at 866/246-TGIF (866/246-8443) to make reservations at all 50 properties. Other information and details can be had on their web site, www.TGIFraleigh.com.
To read up on what to do, where to eat and where to sleep, check out our coverage of Raleigh in our free online destinations section, taken directly from our Frommer's Travel Guides
.