Hot deals for summer

Steve Stephens

May 17, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Although the economic climate remains chilly, the sun is shining, summer destinations are beckoning and the deals are hot. But travel providers are still battling to bring back travelers, said AAA Ohio spokeswoman Joanna Herncane.

"We definitely have a lot of great bargains out there now," she said. "Whether you're looking to stay in Ohio or travel across the world, now is the time to book your summer and fall vacations." Many cruise lines are offering great deals, too, Herncane said. Closer to home, AAA is offering exclusive packages at several Ohio state park resorts, she said.

Packages including a "Gas and Go" two-night lodge stay for $278, which includes a $25 gasoline card. For information, visit www.atapark.com/aaa-packages-5384.html.

Finding information on loads of other travel deals is as simple as calling a reputable travel agent.

Or check out some of these bargains that The Dispatch has sniffed out for you. (Terms and prices are subject to change, so always call to confirm that a deal is available.)

Walleye world

Many travelers will say there's no better place to spend a summer's day than on Lake Erie, trying to reel in the big one. Anglers can find charter fishing boats all along Ohio's north coast, especially in the Sandusky and Port Huron area.

--Flying Eyes Charter in Curtice, 10 miles east of Toledo, is offering new customers 10 percent off the regular price for a full-day walleye charter. Charters begin at $510 for a group of five or six or $400 for a group of four or fewer anglers. Call 517-857-2526.

--My Reel Pursuit Guide Service in Ashland offers customized fishing trips for walleye, perch, steelhead trout and smallmouth bass for groups of up to four anglers. Full-day, half-day or evening Lake Erie trips are available. In June, July and August, My Reel Pursuit is offering a four-hour trip for a flat rate of $280. Call 419-512-7844.

Big Apple savings

New York City is always a popular tourist destination, especially now that many bargains are available in town.

--Apple Core Hotels -- a group of five moderately priced Manhattan properties -- is offering a "City Safari" package from July 1 through Aug. 31.

The package starts at $179 a night and includes accommodations in the heart of the city, two tickets to the Central Park Zoo, lunch for two at the zoo cafe and a complimentary breakfast and in-room coffee.

Children younger than 13 can stay free in their parents' room. Call 1-800-567-7720 and mention the "City Safari" package or visit www.applecorehotels.com/promotions/safari.

--After sightseeing, tune out that Manhattan traffic with a "Long Day But Restful Stay" package at the Millennium Broadway Hotel on Times Square. Standard rates start at $199 a night.

Guests can choose three in-room amenities for an additional $30. The amenities include a cucumber facial mask, an in-room yoga mat, a CD player with tranquil sounds or white noise, Lather Spa products including a luffa and bath salts, or a light snack including a fruit, cheese and cracker plate and bottled water.

Call 212-768-4400 or visit www.millenniumhotelnyc.com. The package is available through Sept. 7. Mention the code "RESTFUL."

New England bargains

If you wait for leaf-peeping season, you'll probably miss the specials. Besides, New England is beautiful in the summer, too.

--The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester Village, Vt., has just undergone a $20 million renovation, adding guestrooms, an outdoor deck with fire pit and a steakhouse.

Plus, the property is offering an "Economic Antidote" package with major savings at the nearby Manchester Designer Outlets stores.

Guests at the Equinox through 2009 will receive a $50 outlet gift card as well as an additional $750 in coupons good at various outlet stores. Rooms begin at $149, or $209 on weekends. Some blackout dates apply.

Call 1-800-362-4747 or visit www.equinoxresort.com.

--Guests at five resorts on Nantucket Island, Mass., can take advantage of a "Hot Dates, Cool Rates" deal on specific dates throughout the high summer season that offer as much as two-thirds off the regular price of a room.

Jared Coffin House, the Cottages and Lofts at the Boat Basin, White Elephant, White Elephant Hotel Residences and the Wauwinet are offering the special deals.

Rooms that normally start at $680 a night at the Wauwinet are available on some dates at $225; $155 rooms at Jared Coffin House start at $105, for example.

Call 1-800-ISLANDS. To check the available bargain dates and view a full list of prices, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com.

Florida flings

Ah, Florida -- the ocean, the beaches.

The humidity, the bugs.

So hurry while the weather is still tolerable. (Or plan on staying in the ocean, the pool, or your comfy air-conditioned hotel room. Actually, that doesn't sound bad at all.)

--Enjoy the Gulf of Mexico, and some savings, at TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach 30 minutes from Tampa.

The two beachfront resort properties -- the Island Grande and the Sandpiper Suites -- are offering guests who stay three nights a $100 resort credit good for dining, shopping, spa treatments and children's programs. The resorts also have special midweek summer deals available.

Call 1-800-360-4021 or visit www.JustLetGo.com/BONUS.

--Over on the Atlantic side, the stylish waterfront boutique Epic Hotel in Miami is offering guests who stay two or more nights a gift certificate good for a free night's stay on their next visit. The offer is good through Sept. 30 on rooms booked by May 31. The bonus stay must be taken by Dec. 31.

Call 1-866-760-3742 or visit www.epichotel.com.

Maui possibilities

For many travelers, the Valley Island represents the ultimate dream vacation destination. And why not? The island is every bit as beautiful as reputation would have it. And now you can even save some bucks there.

--Aston Hotels and Resorts, with 26 properties on four Hawaiian Islands, is offering bargain rates with a "Summer Special Vacation Bailout" for stays between June 12 and Aug 23.

Sample rates on the island of Maui include $151 a night for a family beachfront condo at the Aston Kaanapali Shores, $104 a night at the beachfront Auston Maui Lu and $133 a night at the Aston at the Maui Banyon in Kehei.

Call 1-877-997-6667 or visit www.astonhotels.com.

--The Four Seasons Resort Maui, the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Hawaii, is offering guests a reduced rate of $395 a night. And the luxury property charges no add-on resort fee -- another substantial savings.

Free extras also include poolside cabanas, lei greetings upon arrival, outrigger-canoe excursions, daily fitness and yoga classes, use of snorkel equipment for one hour daily and introductory scuba clinics. Some blackout dates apply.

Call 808-874-8000 or visit www.fourseasons.com/maui.

Room rates

Many hotel companies are offering special deals throughout their chains.

--The world's largest hotel company, InterContinental Hotels Group (OOTC:ICHGF) (NYSE:IHG) , is offering a "Biggest Free Nights" promotion at more than 4,000 Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

Guests who stay two nights at any participating hotel through July 3 will get a free night to use between July 3 and Dec. 26. The two paid nights can be at different hotels and on nonconsecutive nights. Guests can earn up to four free nights. To register, visit www.getafreenight.com.

--All Warwick Hotels in the U.S. are offering a special discounted rate this spring and summer for guests age 65 or older. The rate for senior citizens is $65 a night ($165 at the New York City Warwick) through Aug. 31. Call 1-800-203-3232 or visit www.warwick hotels.com. (NASDAQ:IACI)

Internet ideas

Do-it-yourselfers will want to check out the many travel bargains available on the Web, including these:

--Vayama.com promises cut-rate, last-minute prices on international airfares, including low-cost fares within Europe. The Web site compares flights on more than 75 budget airlines and offers users a "one-stop" site to book tickets.

Last-minute fares are typically available between seven and 14 days in advance of departure. Recent sample fares include Boston to Zurich for $230 round trip ($557 with taxes and fees) and New York to Lyon for $270 round trip ($597 with taxes and fees.)

--Hotels.com is offering a Memorial Day Sale of up to 50 percent off at more than 450 properties across the United States during the week of May 21-27.

Guests who book three nights or more will also receive a $50 prepaid MasterCard. Rooms must be booked by May 25 to take advantage of the offer.

Sample savings include 40 percent off a three-night stay at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, 45 percent off stays at the Queen and Crescent Hotel in New Orleans and 50 percent off stays at the Parc Fifty Five Hotel on Union Square in San Francisco.

--Professional videos help customers make sure they know what they're getting at Tvtrip.com, a "hotel videoguide." The videos show the interior and exterior of hundreds of hotels around the world.

The site also offers ratings, reviews and special deals. Sample rates include $56 a night at the Comfort Hotel Prague and $324 at the Westbury Mayfair in London. (Are they worth it? Watch the videos and make the call yourself.)

sstephens@dispatch.com

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