The historic Hamilton Crowne Plaza was built in the Roaring Twenties and was recently restored. This is a luxury business hotel in downtown Washington DC, offering deluxe accommodations, meeting space, and fine dining.

Situated only five blocks from the White House and one block from the McPherson Square Metro Station, this hotel is perfect for a holiday getaway, plus they’re offering a $79 deal, available daily from Dec. 17-30.

This special offering of $79 per night special continues on Thursday-Sunday stays through January. Each guest room is equipped with Crowne Plaza’s Sleep Advantage, which includes plush seven-layer bedding, sleep amenities and a sleep CD with relaxation tips.

Act fast though, as this deal is only available online.

We’re seeing lots of incredible deals being voted on for this year’s holiday season, and here’s three deals that deserve special attention.

The Grandest Christmas Package in Crested Butte, Colorado. For under a grand enjoy the “Last Great Colorado Ski Town” this holiday season and create memorable moments with friends and family while saving a bundle. This holiday season a family of four can enjoy 4 nights of lodging at the Grand Lodge and 3 days of skiing or riding. The limited time package is perfect for families and makes a holiday ski vacation affordable on any budget.

We’ve posted about Myrtle Beach before, but these deals were too good to pass up. Christmas travel deals for 2009 include Myrtle Beach hotels for the holidays starting at just $26 a night. Myrtle Beach is home to many tourist attractions, notably Family Kingdom Amusement Park, a sea-side amusement park, Freestyle Music Park (formerly Hard Rock Park), and the diverse Broadway at the Beach, which features many shopping, tourism, and dining options.

And speaking of shopping, last-minute tax-free shopping trips to New Hampshire! Franconia Notch Vacations invites you to NH for some Tax-Free Christmas Shopping and early season skiing by offering one free nights lodging with every 2 night stay at any participating professionally managed Vacation Rental Homes. (Offer good on til December 21st.) Located in the heart of NH’s White Mountains and surrounded by 3 major ski areas plus lots of tax free shopping, there is no better place to get that holiday shopping out of the way.

Stay at the historic Westin Columbus for $89 per night over holiday dates Dec. 18-30. This deal saves at least 35% off regular rates.

Known as The Great Southern Hotel since its grand beginnings in 1897, the city’s most-renowned hotel has offered guests the utmost in gracious service and luxurious surroundings. Stay for several nights, and visit Columbus Museum of Art’s collection focusing on European and American art up to early modernism, or stop by COSI, (Center of Science and Industry), a large science museum.

Special Events in and around Columbus, Ohio this holiday season include ‘Christmas Is For Kids’ Special Tea on December 19, ‘Light Up the Serpent’ Winter Solstice luminaries at the Serpent Mound, and Horse Drawn Sleigh / Carriage Rides December 26-31 at the Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont.

This historic Victorian-style hotel is just blocks from the Columbus Convention Center, Brewery District and Palace Theatre. The city also has a number of theatres downtown, including the Ohio Theatre, the Southern Theatre, and the Riffe Center which houses The Capitol Theatre. Guest rooms and suites feature leather headboards, flat panel TVs and plush bedding. Make memories this year with this excellent hotel deal in the heart of Columbus.

For some, a Christmas vacation sitting on the beach in the Caribbean sounds like heaven. For others, there’s no replacement for a white Christmas. Right now, Crested Butte Mountain Resort has a special deal on a package for a family of four costing under $1000. The Grandest Christmas package offers four nights accommodations at the Grand Lodge Hotel and three days of skiing (or boarding!).

Dates of booking are December 17th or 18th through December 26th. There are also some lovely events that take place around this time. On Christmas Eve, skiers fly down the mountain for the Torchlight Parade. And of course, the hills are open on Christmas day. With the hotel located 200 yards from the ski lifts, it’s easy to ski in and ski out at your leisure.

For the spa bunnies, there’s a full service spa available to guests that offers treatments such as facials and body treatments. Of course, there’s massage therapy available for relaxing after a long day on the slopes. Any newbie snowboarders will know how much their tush and arms ache. The massage therapies offered include deep tissue, hot stone, aromatherapy and sports. There’s also a fitness center available to guests who would like to use the steam room, indoor pool and sauna. In addition to the indoor pool, guests have access to the heated outdoor pool.

For your culinary pleasure, check out 9380 – the new bar that includes a fire pit for keeping warm while you enjoy your nightcap. It’s also ski-in/ski-out so you can hope (or glide) on over for a quick nip between runs. Prime opens at night and serves “contemporary Colorado chop house cuisine.” With amazing views and simple yet delicious meals, you’ll be able to refuel in style.

If you must do work this holiday season, at least you can work comfortably from your hotel room with efficient wireless available for free. At nearly half off, this package is great for families who want to get away without breaking the bank.

Yosemite Tenaya Lodge

Today’s Photo of the Day is from the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park.  Tomorrow officially kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving and we thought these beautiful holiday decorations would help put everyone in a festive spirit.

Yosemite National Park is a magical place in it’s own right.  It’s amazing views and terrain will leave anyone breathless.  The Tenaya Lodge located two miles from the south entrance of the park brings a little extra magic to the park this season with it’s holiday offerings.  These packages offer plenty of activities at affordable holiday prices.  From sledding, ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides outdoors to hot cocoa, gingerbread house competitions and cookie decorating workshops, children and their parents are sure to make lasting memories.

This year, Tenaya Lodge is offering a variety of family-friendly holiday packages for guests to enjoy. The 2009 Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Family Holiday Packages are the “Kids Dinner with Santa” package (from $235 per room) where children have a holiday adventure that concludes with a dinner with Santa himself, and the “S’more Ice Skating” package (from $239 per room) where adults and children can enjoy a night of ice skating under the stars and warm up near a crackling fire with s’mores and hot cocoa.

No one would argue that $119 is a good price for a night in a hotel room with a view of storied Boston Harbor.  That is the price tag at The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel.  But this is not just another typical low-season hotel discount.  The $119 promo runs between November 22nd and 29th and between December 17th and 29th.  Yep, it takes place over Thanksgiving and Christmas, the two times of year when prices are usually at their absolute highest.

The Renaissance Waterfront is run by hotel giant Marriott, but has a collection of amenities and a contemporary ambiance that make it more than a mere chain hotel.  The Renaissance has its own brand of plush bedding and rooms feature a full array of media options, including connectivity for personal devices and 37-inch plasma screen TVs.  The contemporary design of the rooms make this seem more like a hip boutique hotel than a typical Marriott.  The casually stylish in-house eatery, 606 Congress, adds to the upscale feel of the Renaissance.

The location of the Renaissance is another of its attractive aspects.  Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, two of the city’s most popular historic attractions are located within walking distance of the hotel’s front door, as are the many attractions of the Boston Waterfront (cruises, tours of the USS Constitution, and whale watching excursions).  The convenient location, coupled with the Renaissance Waterfront’s contemporary style, make the $119 holiday promotion one of the early winter travel deals in New England.

Black Friday is bittersweet to many shoppers. It’s a great way to catch a deal on otherwise pricey holiday gifts but it’s also a great way to give you a headache with the crowds that flock to shopping centers. Last year was the first year  I braved the crowds for some deals at a local outlet mall. It was well worth it but I’m not sure I’d do it again.

Now, however, there’s a chance to take advantage of Black Friday deals on travel from the comfort of your own home. Shell Vacation Hospitality’s Black Friday sale, will begin on at midnight on November 27 (the day after Thanksgiving) and end at midnight on November 30 (Monday night).

The sales includes up to 45% off Shell resorts across the US, Mexico and Canada. With twenty three resorts, there are options for any sort of vacation imaginable. If you’re interested in a romantic wine tour with beautiful site-seeing, the Vino Bello Resort in Napa Valley, California is included in the Black Friday sale.

If you’re traveling with kidlets in tow, the Peacock Suites in Anaheim, California is included in the Black Friday deal. Spend New Year’s within walking distance from Disneyland Park! There’s the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted House, Parade of lights and the Disneyland holiday fireworks display to keep everyone happy while ringing in the New Year.

Planning a getaway with friends? The Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas is included in this Black Friday deal. Of course, this is also great for wedding parties, reunions and family vacations – there’s always something for someone in Las Vegas.

There are many other deals available on November 28^th. In addition to these, there are several deals that won’t be listed until November 27^th. No peeking!

Traveling during the week if you’re able to is a great way to save a little money and still get some down time. The Dawn Ranch Lodge in Sonoma has lower rates for midweek stays. The Fall Vacation Special running through December 21, 2009 gives you three nights for the price of two or five nights for the price of three. Unfortunately Saturday night stays aren’t included.

Cabins at Dawn Ranch Lodge in the Fall time

If you’re not able to sneak away for a weekday getaway, there are still some specials available at the Ranch. For the Harvest season, weekend packages start under $300 and include a cabin for two nights and dinner for two at the Roadhouse Restaurant. If you’d like to travel with a group, larger cabins are available.

The Roadhouse Restaurant is known for their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays – with an extensive list of Russian Fiver appellation. The restaurant also carries organic produce from both Napa and Sonoma counties.

The Dawn Ranch Lodge was named after a variety of Redwood – the Dawn Redwood – that was thought to be extinct. Nearly seventy years ago, saplings were found in China and some were transplanted in North America. The 15-acre Dawn Ranch Lodge is lucky to be home to two of these former saplings which are now towering trees.

Creekside at Dawn Ranch Lodge

Thanksgiving season is a good time to try new wines and enjoy the company of friends and family. The Dawn Ranch Lodge has Thanksgiving Packages starting under $300. These packages include two nights’ accommodations and $20 “Roadhouse Bucks,” which are good towards a meal at the Roadhouse Restaurant or a delicious boxed lunch for an outing on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Your choice!

Dawn Ranch Lodge Christmas Time

If you prefer to celebrate holidays at home, the Parade of Lights Weekend Packages are available for December 5^th and 6^th. The Holiday of Lights in Guerneville (near the Dawn Ranch Lodge) includes a parade of more than 100 floats, antique vehicles of all sorts, horses and marching bands. If you decide to skip into town earlier than the fifth, the Dawn Ranch Lodge will be participating in the Dining Out For Life event on December 3, 2009. A percentage of diner’s total food bill will be donated to Food For Thought. The weekend package includes two nights accommodations and a dinner one night and $20 Roadhouse Bucks for brunch.

Deck Party at the Dawn Ranch Lodge

The New Years Party Package starts at under $400 and includes two nights accommodations for two, complimentary champagne and a dance party! Better yet, there’s also a New Year’s Day champagne brunch for two.

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Divi Little Bay, St. Martin

Week after week the temperatures keep getting colder here in the Northeast and our Caribbean friends keep sending us tempting images of warmer climates.  This weeks photo of the week of Divi Little Bay in St. Martin from our friends at the Divi Resorts has me considering trading in my snow tires for a snorkle. 

If you need an escape from the cold this season, Divi Resorts is offering discounts of up to 45% at many of thier properties with nightly rates as low as $89 for travel through December 23, 25 or 31..  Kids stay and eat free! You must book by November 16th to take advantage of these discounts.

There’s a myth that lodging in New York City is expensive, especially around the holidays. The Cool Yule Deal brought to you by the GEM Hotels in NYC has savings of about $80 less than the average price for a similar hotel room in Manhattan. There are three locations, one in SoHo, Chelsea and Midtown West.

Ultra Posh but comfy lobby of the GEM Chelsea

Dates included in this deal are November 20^th-29^th (perfect for catching the Macy’s Day Parade!) and December 18^th-29^th. The boutique hotels have three very different locations. If you’re interested in catching some shows or visiting the Javits Center for any reason, than the Midtown location is perfect for you. Also near that location is the Empire State Building, the Broadway Theater District and Times Square.

Midtown is great for seeing some of the classic tourist spots. I’d advise staying in that location during the Thanksgiving season if you’re interested in seeing the parade – Herald Square is a few blocks away. It’s also great for shopping with Lord and Taylor nearby.

If you’re more interested in eating than sightseeing the SoHo location is perfect. It’s a little off the beaten track and close to the unique shopping opportunities of the Meatpacking District.

Of course, if you’re the type of person who travels for nightlife, Chelsea is the place to be. With a plethora of unique nightclubs, bars and galleries, the Chelsea GEM location is key for experiencing it all. Also, it’s only a hop, skip and a short subway ride from Midtown where you can take in the classic tourist sites as well.

Lobby of the GEM Chelsea

As a New York City frequent traveler, I recommend staying in Chelsea (although I am a bit biased – that’s where I usually stay so I know the neighborhood very well). It’s a funky, artsy area with many colorful characters to keep you busy people watching.

The GEM Hotels also offers tips and local guides that are constantly updated. Called the GEMine, travlers are also encouraged to add their own experiences to the lobby-located chalkboard. This is a great source for local events and other happenings that you can’t find in the typical guidebook. As someone who likes to travel like a native, this is extremely helpful.

If you are interested in some more traditional tourist attractions, the hotels are stocked with iPods that have pre-loaded audio tours of different areas such as Little Italy and Times Square. These GEMwalks are complimentary for hotel guests.

For on –the-go tourists, GEMtexts is another service the hotels offer. Twice daily you’ll be alerted to neighborhood and hotel offers via your cell phone. Talk about convenient! Make sure you get your room soon – there’s limited availability and with this rate, the rooms won’t be around for very long.

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