Travel Deals for Savvy Families

June 3, 2002 -- Summer may be peak travel season for families, but that doesn't necessarily mean peak pricing.

Hotels, resorts and theme parks are courting families with a variety of discounts or special added value offers this summer.

Here's what to look for. Some hotels and resorts (among them, Hyatt Resorts, www.hyatt.com) are selling the second room a family books at a 50 percent discount. Don't underrate the importance of having separate rooms (and perhaps more importantly, bathrooms) for parents and the kids.

Lots of resorts are offering what amounts to a 30 percent discount by giving a third consecutive night free. (One example: Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla., www.justletgo.com).

Free Golf, Meals

Other enticements include free golf for kids or discounted lessons for kids (some Marriott resorts, including those in Palm Desert, Fla., Atlantic City, N.J. and Orlando and Marco Island, Fla., www.marriott.com); a free session in a kids camp (Hyatt) and discounts on bookings made online (Radisson, www.radisson.com/gosk2). Then there are other offers such as a free breakfast or meal discounts (Radisson and Holiday Inn SunSpree, http://www.sunspreeresorts.com/familyfun).

Resorts near major attractions sometimes include admission to those attractions in the room rates (for example, a two-day Williamsburg Marriott package includes two-day admission to Busch Gardens).

Some resorts are offering vouchers for their summer visitors. The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts Family Fun packages includes a $10 Gas Refund voucher along with a 20 percent discount on one meal at the hotel, and vouchers for free drinks. Holiday Inn and Radisson are also holding a sweepstakes whose prizes include a mini-van (Holiday Inn) and sport utility vehicle and seven-day vacation in Aruba (Radisson). Hilton (www.hilton.com) is offering a whole book of vouchers good for discounts on future travel as part of its Easy Escapes.

More Tips

Check out vacation clubs, too. Because vacation club condos and villas can accommodate more people than a hotel room, they can be an economical way to travel with grandparents, cousins or friends. Horizons by Marriott Vacation Clubs (horizonsbymarriott.com) in Orlando and Branson, Mo., sleep up to eight in villas that have two bathrooms, a private terrace, living room and full kitchen.

Ski resorts offer great value in summer as well as a mountain full of activities. Beaver Creek, in Vail, Colo., (www.beavercreek.com) offers a 30 percent discount off all summer lodging (depending on availability), along with hiking, fishing, rafting, golf, a kids summer camp and other activities.

Online travel sites such as Expedia, Travelocity and Site59 also offer hotel and resort bargains. Expedia's "Hot Lodging" deals at the beginning of summer were offering rates as low as $39 in Orlando and San Francisco. Site59, the last-minute travel site, has plenty for procrastinators in its Hotel Plus section.

Theme parks, whose busiest season is summer, offer value. For example:

Florida residents get a 20 percent discount on Cirque du Soleil performances at the Walt Disney World Resort (www.disneyworld.com) when they make reservations in advance. Through Labor Day weekend, families can enjoy the "Kids Play Free" vacation package at the Disneyland Resorts in Southern California (www.disneyland.com). Children ages 3 to 9 get a free Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket as part of a two-night hotel package. Universal Studios in Orlando (www.universalstudiosvacations.com) offers the third night free to guests who buy a two-day, two-park visit. The 3rd Day Free ticket is good for unlimited admission for three days over seven consecutive stays.

These are just some examples of the deals available for savvy vacationers.

Please note that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change.