The Stanley Hotel

My favorite scary movie is the Shining.  It’s so terrifying- yet everytime it’s on I must watch it.  Jack Nicholson is so great as the psycho dad.  Anytime I stay in an older hotel I always think of that movie.  I would love (and be absolutley terrified) to stay at the Stanley Hotel.  

Located in Estes Park, Colorado, the Stanely Hotel may be most famous for the role it played in the Shining and is well known as one of America’s most haunted hotels. It was built by F.O. Stanley in 1907.   Stanley was forced to move West by his poor health.  He hoped his hotel would have a positive impact on the local economy.  He was able to shape the face of tourism in the are by building the road over Lyons.  For the first time people were brought to the area by automobile rather than train.  The hotel remains a landmark of Estes Park today.   

If you’re like me and you have a love/hate relationship with the Shining you have to check out some of the packages the Stanley offers.  Visitors to the area can participate in a ghost tour at the Stanely for $15.  You will learn about the history of the hotel, FO and Flora Stanley and their steamer.  You will hear about Stephen King’s Shining connection to the hotel and Rm #217 where the concept of the Shining began.   You check out some of the Stanley’s most haunted rooms and places, as well as hear ghost stories, and a tour of the underground tunnels.  

If you are brave enough to want to spend the night at the Stanley they offer several overnight accomodation packages ranging from $189 on up.  It’s rumored that the Stanely plays the uncut R-rated version of the Shining on a continuous loop on hotel channel 42! YIKES!

If you aren’t already on twitter and you love to travel what are you waiting for? Not only is twitter a great way to find some of the best last minute travel deals, it’s also a great way to snag some free some stuff!

This week we saw some sweet tweets from travel providers who were offering great contests on twitter.  On Tuesday Orbitz  (@Orbitz) gave away 10 vouchers for round trip coach airline tickets for those who followed and retweeted Orbitz contest message that day. 

Today Continental (@continental) announced on twitter they will be giving away two round trip business first class tickets and one of two $1000 Continental Vacations Gift Cards.  To enter you need to follow continental on twitter between today and November 3rd and help them spread the word that they have joined the Star Alliance using the hashtag #StarAlliance.

Air New Zealand is getting in on the twitter contest action too.  Follow Air New Zealand (@kiweets) and tweet back the answer to their daily trivia contest for a chance to win a trip to New Zealand.  The contest runs through November 20th.

Good luck tweeting and don’t forget to follow @bestraveldeals to keep tabs on the latest twitter travel contests!

Spend Thanksgiving in a new and exciting way, Forever Houseboats is offering a deal on boat rentals of up to 40% off.

Save up to 30% off in almost 100 cities with Hotels.com’s Thanksgiving sale, treat yourself on a peaceful and luxurious holiday getaway.

If getting $20 off your room rate is a big saving then stay at the Inn at the Opera, your room will get “limited housekeeping” so for $20 discount, it’s your responsibility to pick up after yourself.

Do you want to unwind in the beautiful island of Maldives? Some hotels and resorts offers deals and discounts of up to 25% off.

More Fall and early Winter discounts from Mexico Hotels and resort from as low as $61 per person.

Celebrity Cruises is offering $200 onboard credit for any Alaskan Cruisetour reserved by Dec. 31

Fly from New York City to the island of St. Lucia from just $129 one way on JetBlue. book this limited offer by October 30 for travels from November 2 through February 8, 2010.

Air New Zealand is giving away 30 free flights in 30 days.

Bedand Breakfast.com’s fall sale ends Tuesday. Book by Novemeber 3rd to save up to $100 off fall lodging.

Santana Row in San Jose comes alive during the holiday season with over 80 stores of luxury shopping, festive lights, a 40 foot Christmas Tree in Valencia Park.  The Hotel Valencia Santana Row offers travelers the perfect place to rest their head this holiday season as they indulge in the shopping and the festivities nearby.  From Nov. 20-29, and Dec. 18-30, hotel guests that stay at Hotel Valencia two nights in a row will receive a complimentary gift certificate entitling them to one more night for FREE, allowing consumers to take advantage of one more vacation day during these challenging economic times. 

The “Stay 2 nights, get 3rd FREE” package includes the following:

A stylish guest room for two, featuring views of Santana Row, Hotel Valencia’s stunning outdoor pool/hot tub or courtyard
Cocktails for two at the chic, sumptuously-lit Vbar
A deluxe buffet breakfast at Citrus, Hotel Valencia’s signature restaurant
Rates from $179 per room per night, double occupancy, exclusive of tax and subject to availability
A complimentary night at Hotel Valencia Santana Row that may be used in conjunction with the first two nights, or at a later date

Looking for more deals? Search our year-round San Jose hotel deals for a great rate!

This Halloween weekend, fly with Virgin America from $31 or $62 one way before taxes and fees.

Want to visit an exotic destination and stay from $5 per night? Who doesn’t? Hostels and guesthouse in Honduras offers rooms with low rates plus a village known for its tranquility and rich Mayan history.

Hurry and book one of the 10 last minute deals from Guardian, spend up to 7 nights in great destinations and spend £170pp or lower.

Last minute hotel deals in the Asia-Pacific region offers rooms for as low as $36 a night, ends October 30, 2009.

Spend 6 nights exploring Egypt’s history and be mesmerized by its grandeur. Gate1 Travel offers a package priced as low as $1,349 and includes, roundtrip fares, accommodations, river cruise and meals.

For travels to Auckland, New Zealand, Qantas offers a new sale from $798 round-trip with departures from Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., among other cities.

Travel with United through the end of the year and earn up to 50% off a domestic flight in 2010.

Bill Montgomery found a super-low airfare deal to Las Vegas from United at only $120 round trip.

A new more affordable Alaska adventure cruise line has been launched.

Looking for an affordable way to hit the slopes in Europe- a new site helps make getting there by train easier.

And don’t forget there is still time left to take advantage of these great deals…

Starting October 28 to December 31, 2009, Travelocity offers their customers with a refund for the difference if they found acheaper room from other hotel booking site. Plus get a $50 discount toward future travel.

Southwest Airlines offers one-way travel as low as $25 for travel up to 375 miles.

Jet Blue’s Island Joy Sale features fares to Caribbean destinations starting at $29 each way.

Bedand Breakfast.com’s fall sale ends a week from today. Book by Novemeber 3rd to save up to $100 off fall lodging.

Today’s shot of a gorgeous night sky in Carmelo, Uruguay is from the Estancia Tierra Santa a beautiful guest ranch in Carmelo. 

If you are looking for a relaxing and scenic place to spend either Thanksgiving of Christmas the Estancia is offering three nights for the price of two for Thanksgiving and Christmas - a savings of $425.  Additionally, host and gourmet cook Karen Vandergrift is offering a complimentary wine tour and private cooking lesson/demonstration, and complimentary sparkling wine in the suite.
 
Situated on 80 acres, this ranch, farm, and Tuscan style villa has three suites only and they grow much of their own food (including cattle for beef) and stress organic meals, fine local wines, peace and tranquility. Estancia offers an all-inclusive package including a full gourmet all-organic breakfast and dinner daily, all wines & cocktails, horseback riding, massages, spa treatments, and more.

Stay a maximum of four nights in the islands of Tahiti and grab this Air Tahiti Nui fare deal at $738 roundtrip between LAX and Papeete, Tahiti.

Book your last minute airfare with Spirit Airlines, they are offering round trip sale from $58 to Atlantic City, Orlando, Cancun, Santo Domingo, and more destinations.

Starting October 28 to December 31, 2009, Travelocity offers their customers with a refund for the difference if they found acheaper room from other hotel booking site. Plus get a $50 discount toward future travel.

Southwest Airlines offers one-way travel as low as $25 for travel up to 375 miles.

Jet Blue’s Island Joy Sale features fares to Caribbean destinations starting at $29 each way.  Be sure to check out Jet Blue’s Cheep Deals today to score super low last minute fares.

Bedand Breakfast.com’s fall sale ends a week from today. Book by Novemeber 3rd to save up to $100 off fall lodging.

Follow @Orbitz on Twitter for a chance to win one of 10 free airline tickets today.

Disney is giving away a free cruise when you book an Adventures by Disney vacation.

Wendy Perrin has a rundown of where to find hot winter travel deals.

Lufthansa has announced a 3 day Europe flight sale with flights to Europe as low as $243.

Aspen (credit Aspen Chamber)

The Gant in Aspen is offering snow lovers an opportunity to save big by booking early this season.  Better yet the longer you stay the more you save!

The Gant is offering is a tiered discount for each night booked Nov. 26, 2009 – Apr. 11, 2010. The longer the stay, the more money saved. Guests can earn a 15 percent discount for an overnight stay and up to 30 percent off four or more nights. For example, a four night stay in a two bedroom condominium early in the season starts at $225 per night. By booking early, guests can save up to $67.50 per night, reducing the nightly rate to $157.50, excluding fees and taxes. During high season, the same unit starts at $525 per night, but with this deal, guests can save up to $157.50 per night, reducing the nightly rate to $367.50. Reservations must be booked by Nov. 15.

If you are still trying to plan a weekend of leaf peeping but haven’t made your plans yet, BedandBreakfast.com has an offer you can’t pass up.  They are offering savings of up to $100 on fall reservations.  BedandBreakfast.com’s fall travel sale ends November 3rd so you still have another week left to take advantage of great fall savings!

Botswana, Kenya and South Africa offers deals and discounts of up to 25% off your stay, so book now and experience the wild in this great African Safari Adventure.

If you’re visiting Manhattan this holiday season, stay at any GEM Hotel and pay rooms from just $139 per night.

British Airways now offers nonstop service between London Heathrow (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS) and they’re giving away introductory fares of $249 each way.

Don’t catch a cold this winter, instead catch a plane to Jamaica with Air Jamaica’s Winter Sale starting at just $188 round-trip for travel from January 1 – February 11, 2010.

Save up to 20% off room rates when you book 3 consecutive nights or longer at Ramada hotels through December 31, 2009. If you’re staying for just 1 or 2 days, you’ll still get up to 15% savings by booking your stay 14 days in advance.

It’s not too late to book your Holiday getaway, Miami attractions are still offering deals to draw in more visitors this coming tourist season.

Stay in a Kimpton hotel after your train travel and receive 20 percent off the best available room rate, add on a cocktail or breakfast to your stay for just $1 more, or if you were charged for a second checked bag on the airline, just show proof of the charge at Kimpton they will give you a room credit for one bag for up to $25.

The Holiftic Ski and Spa Package at Snake River Lodge & Spa gives visitors a fun and relaxed getaway, the package includes breakfast, lift tickets for two people at Jackson Hole Mountain and 50 minute custom massage.