There’s a bright spot in these tricky times: it’s finally becoming a traveler’s market again. Now might be the time to finally chill out on Nantucket or cruise the Mediterranean. After all, getting to relax, see the larger world, and spend time with friends and family is more important than ever.

Check out these deals from luxury properties around the world. The prices aren’t ‘bargain basement.’ Instead, they each provide a chance to truly escape for a great value. All are subject to availability and varying tax and service charges.

 

Caribbean

Deal: With “4 for 3” and “7 for 5” at Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, stay a little longer - guilt-free
Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $775 in the winter, $650 in the spring and fall, and $400 in the summer; these two offers include return airport transfers as well as daily breakfast
Cool Extra: Complimentary yoga and Pilates daily, and celebrities in barefoot relaxation mode (no gawking)
Fine print: Valid for stays through December 20, 2009
How to book: parrotcay.como.bz or 649-946-7788
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay four nights this spring for $1,950 (double
occupancy)

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Deal: With “Extend Your Stay” at the new White Elephant Hotel Residences, stay two nights and get a third free
Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $400 for a one-bedroom residence; all guests save 20% on treatments at the White Elephant Spa. Upon check-in, guests also receive two $25 credits, which can be used at the spa when you spend $100 — so get two massages that would normally be $115 and pay $67 for each
Cool Extras: Alexandra Champalimaud interiors, Gayle Warwick bedding, a fireplace, and a deck. Is this how it feels to be set for life, or at least the weekend?
Fine Print: Book by March 31, 2009, for stays from May 14 through the end of June
How to Book: www.whiteelephanthotelresidences.com or 800-445-6574
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights for $800 (for double occupancy or a
family)

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Deal: The Inn on the Alameda is offering “March Madness” rates, which slide down the longer you stay
Breakdown: Rates start at $170. Stay one night and get $10 off (so pay $160), stay two and get $20 off the second night, stay three and get $30 off the third night.
Cool Extra: The almost-spiritual “Breakfast of Enchantment” and wine and cheese each afternoon for a pick-me-up after a gallery tour
Fine Print: Valid for stays up to five nights from March 1 through March 31, 2009, in “Traditional Rooms”
How to Book: 888-984-2121; for more information, visit www.innonthealameda.com
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights in March for $450 (double occupancy)

Switzerland

Deal: The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken has just introduced an ongoing “Internet Special,” offering unusually low rates
Breakdown: Nightly rates for two begin at euro 613 (about $786), while “Internet Special” rates for two begin at euro 250 (about $320)…quel difference! Who said Switzerland is too expensive?
Cool Extra: Enjoy spring skiing with the free shuttle to the lifts. For those feeling less adventurous, all rooms have an outrageous view of the Swiss Alps, and all guests have full access to the 60,000-square-foot spa.
Fine Print: Bookings are non-refundable, and there’s a two-night minimum
How to Book: www.victoria-jungfrau.ch/en
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay two nights for about $640

Baltic and Mediterranean Cruising

Deal: With Crystal Cruise’s “European Celebration” promotion, save up to $1,500 per person on cruises through the Baltic and Mediterranean
Breakdown: The 11-day Baltic cruises start at $4,245 per person and the 12-day Mediterranean cruises start at $4,080 per person; on most of these cruises, book a penthouse suite and save $1,500 per person, a verandah stateroom and save $1,000 per person, and a deluxe stateroom for $750 off per person
Cool Extra: All-you-can-eat Nobu cuisine while on board, and excursions to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and London, or Venice, Barcelona, Athens, and Istanbul
Fine Print: Must be booked by March 31, 2009; valid for Baltic cruises departing on or after June 30, 2009, and for Mediterranean cruises departing on or after June 14, 2009
How to Book: Call 888-799-4625 or contact a travel agent; visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information
— BOTTOM LINE: Take an 11-day Baltic cruise in a deluxe stateroom for
$8,490 (for two people), or a 12-day Mediterranean cruise in a deluxe
stateroom for $9,030 (for two people)

London

Deal: COMO’s London outposts, the Metropolitan and The Halkin, are offering over 200 pounds Sterling off rack rates with the “Ultimate Savings Offer”
Breakdown: Nightly rates at Met London start at 169 pounds (about $240); The Halkin at 199 pounds (about $285)
Cool Extra: Americans finally have the upper hand in the exchange rate. Both hideaways are near Harvey Nichols and Harrod’s … need we say more?
Fine print: Book at least seven days in advance for a minimum of two nights. Valid for stays through May 31, 2009
How to book: metropolitan.como.bz for the Met and halkin.como.bz for The Halkin
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay two nights for about $480 (double occupancy)

English Countryside

Deal: Members of The Royal Oak Foundation get 25% off rates and breakfast at England’s three Historic House Hotels, plus a complimentary room upgrade
Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at 160 pounds (about $230) before the discount
Cool Extra: Membership grants complimentary access to all National Trust properties in the U.K., including wildlife refuges and estates like Sissinghurst (perfect for living out a modern-day Jane Austen fantasy)
Fine Print: Valid for stays through October 31, 2009, with certain black-out dates
How to Book: There are three steps to this one, but they are well-worth it.
1. Call 800-913-6565, ext. 205 to become a Royal Oak Foundation member
(it’s $55 and there are many benefits, www.royal-oak.org to learn more)
2. On the same call, ask for the promotional code needed to receive the
member discount at Historic House Hotels.
3. Reserve your stay in England at www.historichousehotels.com
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights for about $540, including the cost of
membership

Bangkok, Thailand

Deal: In celebration of Thai New Year, Metropolitan Bangkok’s “Songkran Package” offers three nights for the price of two, plus a festive dinner
Breakdown: Nightly rates for the Metropolitan Room are normally $320; with the “Songkran Package” they are $185; dinner for two at their restaurant Glow and a 20% discount on COMO Shambhala treatments are also included
Cool Extra: The chance to see Bangkok in its New Year glory, plus a complimentary tropical fruit plate each day and complimentary yoga classes
Fine Print: Valid for stays from April 10 through April 20, 2009
How to Book: metropolitan.como.bz
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights for $370 (double occupancy)

Changlang Beach, Thailand

Deal: With the “Opening Special” at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa, get a third night free and enjoy soft-on-the-wallet introductory rates
Breakdown: Rates begin at $171 per night during this opening period
Cool Extra: A private beach, swims with sea cows, and views of the sparkling Andaman Sea and its undiscovered islands
Fine print: Valid for stays until April 30, 2009
How to book: sikao.anantara.com
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights for $342 (double occupancy)

Mexico

Deal: With “Summer Escape Early Booking Bonus” at Rosewood Mayakoba, receive a $150 spa credit and a $150 credit for food and drinks during the stay
Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $490 from May 1 through December 18
Cool Extra: Every room has its own plunge pool and deck, and the Sense spa is on a private island
Fine print: Book by March 31, 2009, and stay at least four nights
How to book: www.rosewoodmayakoba.com or 888-ROSEWOOD
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay four nights this spring for $1,960 (double
occupancy)

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Deal: With “Sunshine on Sale” at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek in Colorado, guests can stay for five nights and pay for four
Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $949 per night
Cool Extra: Spring skiing in Vail, Breckenridge, and Beaver Creek - with just one pass
Fine print: Valid for stays through April 15, 2009
How to book: beavercreek.hyatt.com or 866-471-7658
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay five nights for $3796 (double occupancy)

 

 

Source: Alice Marshall Public Relations

page.CONTACT: Janet Reuter of Alice Marshall Public Relations,
+1-212-861-4031, janet@alicemarshall.com
Web Site: http://www.alicemarshall.com/