Homeaway.com the leading online vacation rental company announced Tuesday that will be airing a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl on February 7th.  Ads during the Super Bowl reportedly cost $3 million per 30-second spot.

At time when the travel industry is reported to be down, what does this purchase say about the vacation rental industry? According to Homeaway’s own reports 62 percent of vacation rental owners reported the same or an increase in bookings this summer over the previous year, 31 percent of the owners reported increased bookings.

As travelers look to get more bang for their buck, the vacation rental industry is seeing an opportunity to cash in. A full house rental costs less than the cost of a hotel and vacation rentals often offer amenities and comforts that families cannot find in hotels.  Yet often travelers are not aware of the savings that vacation rentals offer.

While the cost of a running a Super Bowl ad is huge, it seems the timing is perfect for a company like homeaway to try to make their brand a household name.  Since Super Bowl ads are known for their creativity it will be fun to see what kind of ad they come up with!

The Lexington Hotel Trapper Inn and Suites in Jackson Hole, downtown Jackson Hotels newest all-suite hotel, is offering a winter suite sale just in time for ski season.  Book by November 15 and get suites starting at $99, for stays from November 15, 2009- March 24, 2010. 

Located just 1/2 from the Town Square the hotels 2 rooms suites are perfect for family ski trips.  Some suites even offer kitchenettes and fire places. The hotel also offers complimentary hot continental breakfast and has a indoor pool and jacuzzi that the whole family will enjoy after a long day on the slopes.

The Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah is giving us another reason not to cook this Thanksgiving and instead pack up the family and getaway for the holiday. 

Tucked away in the majestic Wasatch Mountains, the Homestead Resort offers a charming alternative to traditional Park City Utah resorts. Delight in spectacular surroundings, friendly hospitality, and a limitless array of exciting activities.

For the Thanksgiving holiday they are offering a Thanksgiving Brunch Package starting at $149 which includes:

Cottage or Garden Style Accommodations
Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet w with all the trimmings, includes tax & gratuity.
Seating times: 11:00 am, 1:15 pm, 3:30 pm. Package purchases receive preferred seating.
Valid November 25 and 26, 2009.
Rate: Starting at $149 based on double occupancy (excludes lodging tax).
This offer is a savings of up to $75 off the regular cost and provided preferred seating for our Thanksgiving Brunch.

Step away from the oven, pack your bags, and spend your holiday enjoying your family this year!

Many of the deals that I’ve been blogging about are in the US – South Carolina, Asbury Park, Colorado. If you’re looking for an unconventional tropical trip then consider heading to Belize. From October 24th - December 20th, buy four nights and get a fifth free at the fabulously eco-friendly Cotton Tree Lodge. This package can be used for couples, solo trips or a family getaway with cabanas of all sizes.

Cabana at Cotton Tree Lodge / CC Cotton Tree Lodge

Cotton Tree Lodge is a 100-acre resort in Belize that sits on the Moho River. You can swim in the water that is 25 feet deep. There are also kayaks and traditional dugout canoes available for the more adventurous. There’s plenty to see – lots of wildlife on the shores as well as in the water. Although the river is full of machaca, tarpon and snook, there are no alligators so it’s safe for swimming!  If you’re able to bring your own fishing gear, you’re encouraged to try and catch your own dinner. I’m not much of a fisher, but I’d be willing to try – just don’t ask me to gut the thing!

Welcome! / CC Cotton Tree Lodge

If you’re a fan of staying on dry land, the jungle that surrounds the resort is full of walkways and there are several different tours available. Keeping with the eco-friendly reputation, Cotton Tree Lodge has an organic garden where the vegetables eaten in the kitchen are grown. The head gardener, Armando Sam can show you around and discuss some of the tropical vegetables like the yampi and cho-cho. What exactly is “cho-cho” you may be asking yourself. It’s official name is “chayote” and it is from with gourd family, similar to melons, cucumbers and squash. It may be eaten raw in salads and salsas or lightly cooked like summer squash. The regions that this plant is mainly grown in are Costa Rica and Mexico so Belize is very close to the source.

Cacao plant / CC Cotton Tree Lodge

Those interested in exploring some of the more indigenous plant life can take informational plant walks where a healer named Santiago Chub will show you which barks and leaves are used for what medicinal purposes. The walks are chock full of wild creatures to see too. Monkeys, various tropical birds and other animals live in the jungle so get your camera ready.

Blue Creek Cave / CC Cotton Tree Lodge

As many of you may remember, I’m a big fan of pampering myself when on vacation. Luckily the Cotton Tree Lodge has massages available – and they’ll come to your lodge! Pick your favorite essential oils, lay back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the rain forest while a massage therapist works out your kinks. This costs extra, but at only $60 for an hour, it is money well spent.

The cabanas are all hand built with eco friendly materials and are furnished with the usual luxurious such as clean running water and ceiling fans (a must with the humid Belize weather). There are all sorts of accommodations for any group from a family to a couple or a solo trip. This particular deal starts today (October 24) and goes until December 20^th. So don’t wait, get your trip planned!

Traveling out of the country? Check out these South America hotel deals.

My family is definitely a “beach family.” I remember being bundled up as a little girl and driven the 45 minutes to the Jersey shore in the middle of February. We’d walk on the beach until my brothers and I couldn’t feel our extremities any longer then we’d head into one of the few off-season haunts that was still serving and enjoy some treats while enjoying the surf and ocean smell from a warm spot. Because of this, I personally like to wait until after Labor Day to head to the shore, instead of fighting the crowds and paying inflated, seasonal prices.

Sunset over a quiet boardwalk

Last year, I visited Asbury Park – one of the Jersey Shore’s eccentric, hidden gems. Fun Fact: Bruce Springsteen released his debut album “Live From Asbury Park” in 1973.Possibly most well-known for hosting The Boss himself at the Stone Pony in his early years (which is still standing and serving cocktails to this day), Asbury Park is going through a cultural revolution of sorts.  After becoming a somewhat dilapidated portion of the shore in the 1980s and 1990s, Asbury is starting to reinvent itself as a place for artists and eccentrics alike. With a blossoming music scene – the Paramount Theater hosts funky, off-beat bands as well as large name acts – and a vibrant artist community, Asbury has become a great “off-the-beaten-track” place to vacation.

The view from my hotel room in The Berkeley

During my first trip to this hidden treasure, we stayed at the Berkeley Ocean Front Hotel,  formerly the historic Berkeley-Carteret Hotel which was restored in 2007. I loved the funky, Art-deco style with bright, bold colors and simple lines. And for less then $100 a night, I couldn’t have been happier. Also, we had a beach view from our window: triple points!

We were there during the annual Zombie Walk!

We ate at the laid-back, reasonably priced Beach Bar which had cabana-like seats complete with comfy pillows and chaise lounges. For about $15 a person, we had a (non-alcoholic) drink and sandwich. For dinner, we went to the Salt Water Beach Café. This little gem is “Green Restaurant Certified” meaning that they are eco friendly and do their best to converse, reuse and reduce waste. They also serve almost exclusively local produce and meats with their meals. Sea scallops from Long Beach Island with a side salad made with fresh New Jersey Tomatoes: Yummy! This place can be a touch pricier then the usual boardwalk pizza joint, but it’s well worth it. There’s something for even the pickiest eaters out there. Plus, it’s right on the boardwalk with outdoor seating so you can enjoy the sun and sand while enjoying a beautifully prepared and presented meal.

New condos are popping up everywhere!

After an excellent meal, we wandered the boardwalk (my favorite pastime). If you’re looking for cheesy t-shirts and shot glasses, do not go to Asbury Park. In place of the usual chachki touting seaside peddlers, you’ll find talented artists tastefully showing their wares for your pleasure. There’s several funky clothing shops selling one-of-a-kind jewelry, scarves and hats as well as more high-end spots that feature creations from local and national artists. This is a great place to splurge on a unique Christmas present for a loved one. And, unfortunately, splurge you will. While there are deals to be had, many of the shops feature rather pricey pieces of art.

The dilapidated state of some of the old, historic buildings is sad yet beautiful at the same time. It’s the perfect location for an artist’s paradise in my opinion. Like Brooklyn and now Philadelphia, this seaside town is poised for an awakening that will start with the fringes of society then the mainstream will catch on and render the “cool factor” of the spot nonexistent. So check it out while it’s still under the radar.

The Casino - The Paramount theater is here

The nightlife is pretty great too. There’s the Paradise Nightclub in the Empress Hotel is known for its lively gay community. Actually, Asbury Park in general is known for its gay population and the Empress Hotel is at the nexus of the cloud. Since it’s re-opening in 1998, it’s become a popular alternative to Fire Island.  Featuring an outdoor pool, nightclub, clothing shop and new restaurant, business is clearly booming.

Although I fear that the authenticity of this hidden Jersey Shore gem will be compromised soon with hipsters, wannabe artists and even worse – vacationing families, I plan on enjoying the history and heritage that this eccentric beach community provides.

For more information on the history of Asbury Park, visit this link. Also, check out the Wikipedia page here.

The Carolinas are a well-known summer destination, but this year so many different resorts and travel agencies are offering deals, it’s fast becoming a much-favored Thanksgiving getaway. It’s a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving tradition while actually spending time with the family, instead of cooped up in the kitchen, cooking. These resorts in Myrtle Beach are family friendly so pack up the kiddies and head to South Carolina for some quality time.

Sea Crest is offering a Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach package with low nightly rates (starting at $54!). This includes a breakfast and is only god for November 20th – 30th. There are some great activities happening this fall too. From now until December 31st, 2009, you can take the kiddies to see the “Babies Exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium” at Broadway at the Beach. See over 30 displays that are both live and interactive on baby animals that are born daily.

There’s also the “Thanksgiving Getaway” holiday package available at the Sea Mist Resort which includes three nights accommodations, a cocktail upon arrival at Sea Mist’s Grille & Tavern,  a traditional holiday buffet on Thanksgiving and a low-country Oyster Roast. The Oyster Roast will feature games, balloon sculptures and face paintings for the kids. The package also receives one breakfast at Tenas which features a 46-item buffet.

Of course, for shop-a-holics like me, Thanksgiving is no holiday. I’m one of those nuts who head out on Black Friday for a few good deals on holiday gifts. You can still work that into your schedule with a trip to Myrtle beach. The Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort is hosting the “Thanks for the Seaside” package. With packages starting at $625 you and the family will get four nights in a three-bedroom studio. This includes a free dinner at either one of the two restaurants at the resort as well as a coupon book to the Tanger Outlet Mall. This offer is only for November 26-29, 2009. Brands include Adidas, Aldo and BCBG and many more so there’s bound to be something to cover every name on your “nice” list.  And of course, your honey and kiddies will be occupied with resort activities – such as golf!

Traveling through the holidays and beyond? Discover more Myrtle Beach hotel deals.

Today’s photo of the day from the Smuggler’s Notch resort has us all ready to strap on our snowboards and skis and hit the slopes. 

Smuggler’s Notch is offering some great deals to those anxious to hit the slopes before Christmas:

December 11 – 22, 2009:  SuperSaver Value Week priced at $109 per adult per day and $99 per youth (3-17) per day on 5-7 night stays.  ($119 per adult and $109 per youth for 2-4 night stays). This represents a savings of between $40 and $120 per night per person over the time period December 23, 2009 – January 1, 2010. Guests receive all the same extensive package inclusions of the Club Smugglers’ Advantage Package (explained below) and may also participate in the 50% off child-care offer at Treasures nursery.

December 11-23, 2009: 50% OFF Child Care at TREASURES! Ages 6 weeks – 3 years. Offer valid when added to a paid Club Smugglers’ Advantage Package. Regular rate $85 per child, per day.
TREASURES is a million-dollar, slopeside, state-of-the-art child care center – a Winter Wonderland for infants and toddlers and a facility licensed by the state of Vermont.  A special program for two-and-a-half year olds called Little Rascals on Snow offers ski instruction and a chance to learn to ride a Magic Lift right at the TREASURES playground.
Every week, all season long, guests on the Club Smugglers’ Advantage Package receive free lift tickets for their next visits to Smugglers’ Notch Resort, valid through December 19, 2010 with a vacation of five nights or longer.

 Get your shopping done early this year so you can take advantage of these great deals!

Foodies and nature-lovers rejoice. There is a holiday destination within the US that offers the best of both worlds. Where, you may ask? None other then the scenic Colorado.

If you’re looking to get away and enjoy the holidays instead of having to cook and clean for a gaggle of relatives, Beaver Creek has a bevy of eateries that can please even the pickiest of eaters. Avondale in the Westin has a breakfast menu that is as light or hearty as you want. Inspired by West Coast chefs, there’s a plethora of healthy and tasty treats including the usual Eggs Benedict and the more culinary duck confit hash. And the prices are pretty reasonable.

Westin River View

The dinner menu offers everything from macaroni and cheese to sophisticated pasta dishes such as Strozzapreti with veal and pork ragu. Fun food fact: Strozzapreti is also known as the “priest choker” because it’s said that gluttonous priest ate the elongated pasta noodles too quickly and often choked on the treat. If you’re not interested in choking on your meal, there’s a fine selection of seafood and chicken entrees to choose from.

If these menus have your tummy growling, look into staying at the Westin with the Riverfront Family Thanksgiving Package. This package offers a studio suite, complimentary parking, one hour photo sitting, Thanksgiving dinner for 4 (2 adults and 2 children) as well as registration for the 2^nd Annual Riverfront Turkey Trot. Between November 23 and November 28, with a minimum three-night stay, rates start at $229/night.

If you’re more interested in traveling with your honey or friends, the JW Marriott’s Cherry Creek location has a package that’s available from November 1^st – January 31^st, 2010. For less than $300 a night, you and a friend will have a guest room, $50 gift certificate to the Spa at Cherry Creek, $50 gift card to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and two Happy Hour drinks or appetizers in Second Home Kitchen and Bar.

JW Marriot at Cherry Creek, Colorado

The menu includes simple, well prepared meals with delicious, classic ingredients prepared in unexpected ways. Specials include “Chop Chop Salad” with bacon, peas, egg, gorgonzola, cucumber, red onion, crisps, carrot, celery seed dressing and a “Sunday Supper” which includes a family-style meal.

Whether you’re a foodies or a spa-ista, Cherry Creek is a great place for a girl’s weekend or to wind down after the holidays!

 As much as we plan, double-check and and hope for the best when it comes to our trips, things can, and often do, go wrong. Flights get delayed, luggage gets lost, hotels “lose” reservations. While there’s no foolproof way to be sure things run smoothly on your vacation, you’ll have a better chance of having your complaints addressed by following these guidelines.

Know the Rules and Be Prepared
Become familiar with your airline’s contract of carriage before you book. Note whether your flight is refundable and what  fees can be charged for changing your travel dates or names. Know what compensation you are entitled to if your flight is canceled, significantly delayed, or if you are bumped off the flight. Learn what extra charges you may incur for rental cars and  know the cancellation policy for your hotel. Print all confirmations, policy pages, agreed upon prices, and contracts and bring them along on your trip. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, print all confirmations and package details and bring along the agent’s direct phone number.

Speak Up Sooner
If you arrive to find that the ocean view villa you paid for faces a parking lot, speak up as soon as you see the room. If you find something in it unsatisfactory, tell the manager right away. Same thing if you are served unacceptable food in a restaurant, if something you ordered for your room is missing, if the rental you are given is one class lower than what you ordered, or if anything else you booked is not what you bought and paid for. Speaking up as soon as you realize it’s wrong gives the management more time to fix the problem. If you wait until the end of your trip, there’s little that can be done.

Explain the Problem and How You Want it Fixed
Start with the customer service person that you originally dealt with and explain the problem to them calmly. If you have a long history as a customer or hold some kind of preferred status, let them know. Figure out what solution will make you happy and ask for it, but sure the remedy fits the issue. If you were given the wrong room and the management has you moved to the next one in under an hour, asking for your entire stay to be comped is a bit much. If however, you are placed in a tiny room with a broken water heater instead of your luxury suite, and can’t be moved to a better room until the next day, asking for that night to be free or deeply discounted is reasonable.

Stay Calm and Work Your Way Up the Chain
When complaining, keep your composure. People are more willing to go out of their way to help someone who is nice to them. If you calmly explain the issue and how you want it resolved, you have a much better chance of getting results. You give someone little incentive to help you when you immediately jump to “I will never be a customer of this company again!”. If you’re that far gone, why should they try to make you happy?

If you aren’t getting the results you want from the person you are speaking with, ask to talk to their manger. Work you way up the chain until you’ve gotten what you want or have reached the top. If it is a large corporation, follow up with an email to the main office. If you booked with a travel agent, let him or her take up the fight for you.

Take it Public
While airing your grievance against a company might not get the problem solved for you, it may help others avoid the same issue. Write a review on a site like TripAdvisor and let others know about your experience. Be professional and factual in your complaint, but spread the word to warn other travelers of the problem. Likewise, if the hotel fixed it quickly, remember to praise them in your review.

Follow Up
If your issue isn’t resolved onsite, follow up when you return home. If it has been resolved as you wanted, or if the company has gone above and beyond to rectify the situation, a thank you email or note is a nice gesture. The company will be happy to know that they have pleased the customer and will appreciate your continued business.

The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

I love fall- apple picking, corn mazes and pumpkin festivals.  Unfortunatley I won’t be able to make it to my favorite fall festival- The Keene Pumpkin Festival this weekend.  That’s why I was so excited to hear about The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY.   This event runs every weekend from October 3rd through November 1st and features over 4,000 jack-o-lanterns.  Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children 5-17, and kids under 5 are free.  Van Cortlandt Manor is located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley region.  If you go you are sure to see some beautiful foliage.  Throughout the Hudson Valley there are amazing restaurants, antiquing, and orchards.  It’s the perfect region for a fall drive.