Kimpton's Leap Day Sale

Photo credit: priyanphoenix from morguefile.com

Kimpton Hotels are usually up to something a little different. When I stayed in one with my family a few years ago, the surroundings were plush and comfortable, but what made an impression was "Mike," the fish that lived in a bowl in our room.

Now, Kimpton's three Alexandria, VA hotels (just outside of Washington, D.C.) are running a great promotion. On Leap Day, you can book a hotel stay for 29% off for dates between March 1 and April 15, 2012. Rates start at $113 a night (a steal for a luxury hotel in the D.C. area). To book, go here or call 1-800-KIMPTON and use
rate code LEAPYR.

Free Entrance to National Parks

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the U.S. National Park Service is not charging admission January 14-16, 2012. So head to your closest national park or do a last minute splurge and go where you've never been before. Hawaii has national parks too!

For more info, go here.

Best Car Rental Service: Book Once, Get the Best Deal with AutoSlash

I just discovered Autoslash.com. I tried it a couple of weeks ago, booking a car rental for an upcoming trip. Two days after booking the best deal I found there, I received an email that Autoslash had found a better rate with the same company and had canceled and rebooked my car at the better rate. No work for me, just $34 savings.

Best Travel Toys

I just discovered YoYo.com. I ordered my kids' Christmas presents Sunday and they arrived today. And shipping was free. (1-2 day shipping free on orders over $49.)

Check out YoYo's Top Travel Toys for Kids

My favorites:
Melissa & Doug License Plate Game ($15.99)
Crocodile Creek 100-piece Travel Pouch Puzzle (World Map or Dinosaurs) $4.99
Slinky ($4.99)
PBS Kids Take Along Puzzle ($19.99)
Tangle Relax Therapy 4.99

Use Code YOYOBIGKID2 by December 15 to get 20% off your first order. And you can get the shipping free on top of it if your order is $49 or more.

Free Museum Day - September 24

If visiting a national park isn't feasible on Saturday, consider visiting a museum near you.

September 24 is Free Museum Day at nearly 1,400 museums across the United States. There is a catch. You need to submit a request for tickets (you can request two per email address) and ticket will be emailed to you same day. To search for museums, go here. To request tickets, go here.

Three Questions to Ask Before You Book that Amazing Deal

I'm a huge fan of Groupon (and hoping they start making a profit soon).  And I was very happy when Groupon and Expedia joined forces to offer amazing pre-paid travel deals. And then I started getting other pre-paid deals from a lot of other sources: Living Social, Bloomspot, even TravelZoo jumped on the bandwagon.

Some of those deals are better than others and some of the sites are better than others. But in looking for a good deal, there are a few questions to ask:

1. Have I read the fine print? Some deals aren't what they appear. A recent Bloomspot offer looked amazing until I read the fine print that had many black-out dates, a $100 booking fee, and a $50/day resort fee. It wasn't much of a deal.
2. Will I be paying for things I don't want? Is it still cheaper than what I would pay for what I do want/need? A lot of deals are great for what they include-a wine-tasting tour, a spa treatment, a free round of golf, kids eat free. But if you don't drink, don't want a spa treatment or play golf and don't have kids, examine the cost before you leap. The included items might be the thing that make it a deal.
3. When can I use it? Will I have a chance to use it before the expiration? Will I be able to use it when I need to? I recently booked a deal for a vacation we were planning on taking anyway. I called the hotel to be sure those dates were open and told them I was checking before I purchased a Groupon. They were willing to hold my dates until I had made my purchase. Read the blackout dates carefully and book immediately for a holiday weekend or summer travel time.

Deal sites can be fun! They work well for the savvy, detail-oriented traveler. But if you can never remember to take your coupons to the store with you, think twice. Because people who never use the deal are the reason they are able to make it so great for the rest of us.

Hot Deal: Victoria's Beautiful Hotel Grand Pacific

Last year my family and I had a chance to stay at Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, B.C. It was by far the best hotel experience we have had. The staff were amazing and when we arrived they already had the pack'n'play set up in the room for our baby and an extra set of towels.

View from our room at the Hotel Grand Pacific

A side view of the hotel

The hotel sits right on the Inner Harbour next to the Houses of Parliament with a view of The Empress Hotel and the Marina. The four-star accommodations are lovely.  Don't miss the indoor pool with natural light pouring in from lofty solar panels, ozonated, and with a 2' foot wading pool for the kids. And the fully equipped gym, hot tub, sauna, and steam room are the best you will find anywhere. 

So now Groupon and Expedia have teamed up to bring an amazing deal on a one-bedroom suite at the Hotel Grand Pacific. To purchase this deal for as low as C$99, go here.  Purchase before July 18 for stays through March of 2012. Whether you take the family or celebrate an anniversary, you will love your stay.

20% Off a Mini-Vacation at the Oregon Coast

The beautiful Oregon Coast, Photo: M. Reitz

If the recession has done a number on your finances as it has on mine, a full vacation may not be in the cards this year. You are not alone. In years past, it was hard to come by a vacation house rental that didn't require a minimum of a week-long stay. But with rentals down, savvy Bella Beach and Olivia Beach vacation rentals on the Oregon Coast are offering a gap-stay deal. Submit this form with dates you are available, what you are looking for, and they will let you know of 1, 2, or 3-day stays available. And at 20% off, you might just get a beach getaway this year after all.

Last Minute Fourth of July Weekend Deals on Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals

The high price of fuel has many staying home this Independence Day holiday weekend. (Source: USA Today) The result: A lot of open vacation rentals.

Oregon vacation home communities Bella Beach and Olivia Beach are offering 10% off with only a 2-night minimum. To take advantage of this offer, you must call 855-238-0184.

Other last minute vacation rentals can be found on Lickety Trip where you can find homes in a particular area that are available in the next two weeks. Then contact the owner and make a deal. And maybe you won't be home for the 4th after all.

Western Washington Wine Country Deal

Wine-tasters, check out these great specials for lodging and tasting in western Washington wine country. For as little as $60/night you can stay in one of Bothell's fine hotels and enjoy complimentary wine tasting and a dining value.

First Day of Summer is Free at National Parks

Mt. Rainier National Park. Photo: M. Reitz

June 21 is nearly upon us and marks not only the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year, but also a free day at over 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.

What parks will be free? Here's the list by state.

So if you have the time, take the family and spend your money on gas and dinner instead of entrance fees.

Groupon + Expedia = Amazing Deals

I've been a Groupon fan for some time. I've bought deals on local restaurants, spas, retail stores, and restaurants all for 50% off or more. Now comes the great news that Groupon is teaming up with Expedia to bring amazing travel getaway deals.  By creating a way for travel vendors to get paid now in exchange for the public getting a steeply discounted price, this is a win-win situation. Sign up here.