Special Offer of the Week - Hyatt Regency Cambridge

A Massachusetts Suite at Hyatt Regency, Cambridge
copyright, Hyatt Hotels


From the Hyatt Regency Cambridge website, this week's family vacation special offer of the week:

Take a break from the hectic pace and relax together. Our weekend Family Fun Package includes:

• Deluxe guestroom with Grand Bed
• 50% off the hotel's prevailing rate of the day on a second room (adjoining or connecting) for children (subject to availability - not guaranteed)
• American breakfast buffet for four in Zephyr on the Charles (two adults, two children)
• Kids welcome gift bag (one per child)
• Bicycle rentals available seasonally
• Complimentary in-room movie, including assorted snacks and dips with sodas for a family of four
• Complimentary validated self-parking
• Complimentary shuttle service to select destinations within Cambridge

Kids menus are available in Zephyr on the Charles and through Room Service. You’ll also have full access to the Health Club including glass enclosed heated pool with rooftop sundeck, exercise equipment, whirlpool, sauna and steam.

Special Offer of the Week - The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

The entrance to the hotel
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa


If your children are fascinated with fish, sharks and aquatic life in general, this family package from The Chester Grosvenor and Spa, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will delight them. The hotel is located in the heart of Chester and is a mere 15 minutes from the Blue Planet Aquarium, with whom they've partnered to create this package.

-Two interconnecting rooms for two adults and up to three children
-A family pass to the Blue Planet Aquarium
-An adoption certificate and commemorative photograph for your child's adopted fish (kids get to choose from a Caribbean Leopard Shark, a Clownfish ("Nemo fish"), a red-eared terrapin and a Piranha!)
-An Information pack about the adoptee's species
-Full English breakfast
-24 hour car parking


The Aquatunnel at Blue Planet Aquarium
copyright, Blue Planet Aquarium

Chester is located in the northwestern part of England and the area is well-knowned for its Roman history and striking architecture. Other sights to take in around Chester: the Norman cathedral, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Chester Zoo, Britain's biggest. Take advantage of shopping at Chester's famous 'Rows' and in the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village.


A Classic Room at The Chester Grosvenor and Spa
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

Rates for this package are approximately $750US a night per family and the package is available until further notice. To check availability or to book this package, visit their website or call +44 (0)1244 324024.

Special Offer of the Week - Mandarin Oriental, Miami

We don't know about you, but to us this has been an odd winter. Just when we thought we were getting by with a relatively mild season and were headed blissfully into spring, temperatures went below freezing. Then we had some beautiful days that turned out to be flukes, because where we are, we're in for a cold Easter. No, we don't care that it was still a short winter with a rather late arrival - where we are, it was snowing outside today, and we're a tad snippy about it.

So of course, we're thinking of places where the weather is warm with no hint of snow. (You will find we are warm-weather fans here, although we try to keep in mind that, much as we hate it, some of you actually like snow...) For us, the first place that comes to mind is Miami, a city we happen to love. While you often hear about the celebrity scene, hot clubs, and newest restaurants, Miami is definitely not just for singles and celebs.


Oriental Suite bedroom, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami


The Mini MO package from one of Miami's first-rate hotels, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, delivers fun for adults and children, both on and off the property. The 3-night package includes:
-Luxurious accommodations
-American breakfast daily
-A complimentary crib or rollaway bed
-Age appropriate kids' welcome gift, special bathroom amenities and bathrobes
-Complimentary DVD player and and iPod upon request
-A family picnic on the private beach with a beach butler
-Entrance to Miami Children's Museum, which includes: admission for the day including access to the Museum's 14 exhibit galleries, one rock climb per child and adult on the 30-foot Mt. MiCiMu rock climbing wall and lunch.
-Complimentary Valet Parking

Special Touches: Among many welcoming features for children is the hotel spa's little yoga program for the 5-11 group, in which the kids can contort themselves into cool animal poses.



Oasis Beach Club, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami

The Mini MO package is available through May 31. From now until April 30, rates for the 3-night package begin at $1899 for a superior room. From May 1 to 31, rates begin at $1689 for a superior room. To book this package or for further information, click here, or call the Mandarin Oriental reservation line at 866.526.6567

Special Offer of the Week - Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Suite, Carlisle Bay


Tiny but beautiful Antigua is home to several resorts, including the cozy and contemporary Carlisle Bay, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, and sister hotel to London's One Aldwych. The hotel offers a special "Chill Out" package, valid from April 14th - November 2nd, that includes:

-accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children for 7 nights in a Beach Suite
-full breakfast daily
-afternoon tea daily
-a 3-course dinner and coffee daily from the a la carte menus at either of the two restaurants

In addition to the package details above, you'll be able to take advantage of such complimentary amenities as non-motorized watersports, daily movie viewings in the hotel's screening room, 9 tennis courts, and yoga classes. There's also the Cool Kids Club, which accepts children starting at 6 months. Children 3 and up are free.

Special touches include what Tatler called "the funkiest library on earth", a modern reading room with hip touches like fiber-optic lighting that changes colors in the evening, and WiFi access.

The Library at Carlisle Bay



Rates for the Chill Out Offer for a family of four (2 adults + 2 children) are $5610. Rates are also available for double and single occupancy. For more information or to book this package, call the reservations department at 268.484.0000. Note that the hotel is closed from September 1st to October 12th.

Special Offer of the Week - Italy

Entrance to Westin Excelsior, Rome


We always hear talk of Paris in the springtime, but what about Rome? Or Milan, Florence or Venice, for that matter?

Buck the trend with a special offer from several Starwood properties in Italy. Their "FAMtastic Offer" includes:

-daily buffet breakfast
-extra bed free of charge for children up to 17 sharing a room with parents
-additional room for children at 50% off the room rate
-a 50% discount on one lunch or dinner in the hotel restaurant (valid for stays of 3 nights or more)

Participating hotels are:
-Westin Excelsior Florence
-Westin Excelsior Rome
-Westin Palace Milan
-Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
-Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Centre
-Hotel Villa Cipriani
-Sheraton Diana Majestic

Rates vary from hotel to hotel but check soon: this offer is only good for stays through April 7th.

Special Offer of the Week - Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa

From March 1st to March 27th, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa is offering a getaway package for the entire family.

Your package rate includes accommodations for one night, breakfast, a family pass to the Museum of Civilization and IMAX Theater, and free meals for children 5 and under. Rates start at $279CAD a night and are based on 2 adults and 2 children.

Ottawa, Canada's capital city, boasts over 29 museums and over 60 festivals. Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall makes for great shopping.

For more information on this package, visit Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.