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Posts Tagged ‘family travel’

Budget family travel? Try a Residence Inn

In two weeks I’ve stayed at two different Residence Inn properties in two different states, and both times I had at least four kids under age nine in tow. I will continue to stay Residence Inn when I travel with minivans stuffed with kids. Why?

Though Residence Inn properties are marketed to long-term, repeat business travelers, the same amenities that keep those people comfortable will also keep people with kids happy:

• living rooms with pull-out couches with the option of completely separate bedrooms.

• kitchenettes with full-sized refrigerators, stove tops, and tableware.

• swimming pools.

• free HOT buffet breakfast in the morning for all guests, including a make-your-own Belgian waffle station.

• those amazingly comfortable Marriott beds.

• great pricing. (Both times I payed a AAA rate of $80 per night.)

When I’m traveling with kids (especially ones that get crabby at suppertime) I don’t want to take them to restaurants. I want to order some pizzas, play in the pool, put a movie on, and then close the door to my own bedroom. If the kids wake up before I do, I want there to be cold pizza in the fridge. And when I wake up, I want to head straight down to the buffet line with whoever is wearing both socks.

For budget family travel, I say skip the Super 8. This is far more family friendly.

And if anyone knows of any other great places to routinely stay when traveling with kids—please testify. Families like us got to stick together if we’re going to survive our vacations.

—Meredith

The case for travel in 2010

This is the year for it, and you should book as soon as possible. Why?

The economy is looking up. Enough.
That’s what the National Public Radio and MSNBC and even Fox News are reporting. So maybe you can relax your death grip on that wallet, sister.

The airfare wars are working for you.
Delta led the charge early in 2009, and many other airlines have followed suit, so much so that now you can get roundtrip domestic flights on several airlines for as low as $60. And even though recreational travel remains consistent, business travel is down, which means there are empty seats on planes waiting to be filled with the butts of you and yours.

Hotel prices are way down, and that’s going to continue for at least the next three years. Plus, online booking has made bargain hunters out of all of us. The industry knows you’re scouring this here internet, and thrifty, in-the-know travelers can find big-time discounts on lodging.

The hotel industry has discovered families. The Family Travel Forum recently re-studied the issue and found that forward-thinking hotels are catering to families. I’ll come right out and say it: If your kids aren’t staying, eating, or playing for free, you’re not getting a good enough deal.

Travel is good for the economy. Lots of people think so, including our government and the Pope.

I leave tomorrow for my family vacation (not because the Pope said so; because I said so). It’s the last one of this year, but I’ve got lots of tricks planned for 2010.

Keep reading. Let’s do this thing. See you there.

—Meredith

Free Disney cruise!

First, though, you must book an Adventures by Disney vacation. These are guided family trips, usually six days/five nights, planned and executed by “Disney-trained Adventure Guides.” Trips span the U.S. from Hollywood to Glacier National Park to Alaska and include special activities not generally open to the public. Prices start at around $2,000 per person.

The free cruise is a three-day Disney cruise of the Bahamas.

This is a fun deal for any family who can handle two Disney vacations in one year and still be on speaking terms.

—Meredith

San Fran holiday family survival package

Dear San Francisco-based Personality Hotels chain,

I love you for thinking of this: The Holiday Family Survival Package includes accommodations in one of six Personality hotels, complimentary parking and gas card, Union Square shopping discounts, a calendar with local kid-friendly holiday events and sights, two bags of candy, and a bottle of champagne for grownups.

I’d choose the Hotel Union Square. It was built in 1913 (history) and has a special kid’s suite with toys and computers (smarts). See if you can request it….

—Meredith

Cheap Hawaii

The cheapest I’ve ever seen it, over at Pleasant Holidays. Three nights with air from $279.00 per person (Los Angeles and San Francisco departures only, btw. The price goes up significantly when coming from more inland locations). There are several lodging options, on several of the islands, and kids stay free on a lot of them. Book by December 18.

If you can get to L.A. or San Fran, you can get to Hawaii very, very reasonably on this deal.

Aloha, friends.

—Meredith

The last of the holiday beach deals (or: Go USA!)

We’re past that point on the calendar when you can get passports for yourself and your kids in time for a tropical holiday beach vacation, at least without biting your nails at the mailbox.

Guess that leaves us with the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Luckily, we’ve got some great beaches here in the U.S. Unfortunately, us yanks ain’t known for the “whole package,” like you find in the Caribbean. The kind of vacation where you lie in a hammock, hold out your hand, and a piña colada magically drops into it is scarce here in the states.

But I know of at least three good secrets:

Florida: Just north of Jacksonville, Amelia Island Plantation offers all-inclusive packages, including green fees and carts, meals in nine restaurants, and—I am not kidding here—video game console rentals. Calling all families with teens….

Hawaii: One of the few all-inclusives on the islands (Hawaii isn’t known for this option, though I’m lobbying for change!), the Kona Village Resorts on the fabulous Big Island offer a “Togethering” package: one bungalow at the regular rate, and the second one at half off, plus meals half off, plus, well, everything half off. This is great for large, extended families who love each other very much but are not actually interested in staying in the same room together.

California: It’s technically not all-inclusive, but Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego offers something worth mentioning: complimentary breakfast every morning, plus SeaWorld (which, by the way, is within walking distance of the resort).

That’s about as American “beachy” as you get. Seriously.

—Meredith

All-inclusive holiday beaching: Wyndham Nassau

Half off the all-inclusive Bahamanian resort Wyndham Nassau at CheapCaribbean.com. This one’s good for kids (water park), couples (spa and sunsets), and singles (nightlife and casino).

Priced from $589 per person (with flight) for four nights, file this under “great deal on holiday beaching.”

Book by November 2 for travel from January 1 to February 3.

—Meredith

Fall Condo sale

Check out this fall condo sale at Hotels.com.

Great deals—up to 50 percent off—all over the country. Book by October 26.

I love condo stays, especially for families who like to cook. Or maybe a better way to say it is: “Families who don’t like to spend a lot of money at restaurants.”

I think the kids and I will go to Santa Fe, at 45 percent off.

—Meredith

Holiday beaching: Occidental Grand Xcaret

If you haven’t visited the Xcaret Eco-park on the Mayan Riviera, now’s the time. It’s stunning, magical, and right now it’s highly discounted.

Apple Vacations is offering up to 50 percent off during December and the holidays for stays at the Occidental Grand Xcaret, the official all-inclusive resort adjacent to the Xcaret park.

You can’t beat this one for eco-minded families with a wide ranges of ages to please. And you can’t beat seven nights all-inclusive + flight from $700 per person.

—Meredith

Free nights at Ritz-Carlton, Cancun

Check out the Peace of Mind package at the poshest accommodations in Cancun:

Starting at $369 a night and you get deluxe accommodations, free daily breakfast, free valet parking, and free Ritz Kids activities for two “Ritz Kids.”

Oh, and up to four nights free.

For stays until December 15.

—Meredith