It isn`t just the big hotel chains that promote deals. Individual hotels and small chains around the world often mount their own promotions. The deals they pitch run the gamut from straight discounts to complete packages that combine accommodations with food, entertainment and sightseeing. Here`s just a sample of the hotel promotion press releases I`ve received recently:
Asia. Mandarin Oriental Hotels (Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore): ”Oriental Summer” discounts up to 20 percent (800-526-6566).
Germany. Kempinski Hotels (Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich):
guaranteed U.S. dollar rate of $159 a night, through Sept. 1 (800-426-3135).
Hawaii. Destination Resorts (Polo Beach Club, Makena Surf, Grand Champions Villas, Ekahi Village, Elua Village, Ekolu Village): the first night free on a seven-night stay, through Dec. 15 (800-367-5246).
Kauai. Colony`s Lawaii Beach Resort: discount of $64 a night plus a fifth night free, through Dec. 20 (800-242-9244).
London. Cunard Hotels (Dukes, the Stafford, the Ritz): a shopping allowance of 75 pounds a night for stays in a ”Superior” room (the hotel reimburses you for purchases at local stores), through March 1993
(800-222-0939).
New York City. Manhattan East Hotels: weekend (Thursday-Sunday) rate of $99 a night, through Sept. 27 (800-637-8483).
Orlando. Hotel Management Associates (Howard Johnson Univeral Tower, Comfort Inn International): rate of $64 a room for up to four people, including free breakfast buffet, through Sept. 7 (800-327-1366). Same deal at Howard Johnson Fountain Park Plaza (800-327-9179).
Palm Springs. $25 American Express certificate, good at participating Palm Springs restaurants, for visitors who stay two or more nights and pay with an American Express card at any of 11 participating hotels. Call 800-347-7746 for brochure.
Paris. Hotel Concorde La Fayette: ”Paris Fantastique” two-night package at $352 for two, in November and December (800-888-4747).
St. Barthelemy. Manapany Cottages: honeymoon or anniversary packages at 20 percent off, through Nov. 15 (800-847-4249).
St. Martin. St. Martin Bounty: one night free with three paid nights, or two nights free with five paid nights, through Dec. 18 (800-462-6868).
San Francisco. Bedford Hotel: ”Celebrate September” rate of $94 a night, Sept. 1-30 (800-227-5642).
Washington. L`Enfant Plaza: ”Sensational Summer Special” rate of $89 a night, including continental breakfast, through Sept. 20 (800-235-6397).
Obviously, some deals are much better than others. Here are a few general observations about hotel promotions:
1. The best percentage discounts are usually found on high-priced accommodations. I haven`t noticed many ”summer sales” from Motel 6 or Super 8. And if you really want to keep costs to a minimum, full price at a budget hotel is usually cheaper than the best discounted rate you can get from a deluxe place.
2. Some of the services featured in the packages are throw-aways of little interest to many travelers.
3. The best deals are often limited to off-season periods. That`s why so many of the summer promotions are for Caribbean beach resorts or big-city hotels that cater to business travelers.
4. Deals also are concentrated in areas where the tourism business is slack-such as in Hawaii this summer.
Still, some promotions can be very attractive. Your travel agent should help you locate them. And if you`re checking for deals on your own, call a hotel directly, rather than the national 800 number-hotels often run promotions without ever telling the national reservations centers.
