Some of the best beach destinations in the United States and the Caribbean offer amazing packages for spring and summer travel this year. Get primo beachside accommodations, with a variety of options such as all-inclusive rates, a volunteerism experience, or just a place to lay back and bask in the sun. There really is something out there for even the most discerning traveler.
All-Inclusive Rates Starting at $55 Per Person at Occidental Hotels & Resorts:
The all-inclusive Occidental Hotels & Resorts have properties in Aruba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Mexico, and all are offering starting rates of $55 per person, per night. With the beach just steps away at all of these resorts, families enjoy daily activities by the pool, volleyball, tennis, and ping pong, as well as snorkeling, sailing, and windsurfing. For kids, each hotel offers supervised activities at the Kids Club for ages 4 to 12. Depending on when you visit the package prices vary, but for one price that includes all taxes and gratuities, guests enjoy unlimited meals, snacks, free-flowing drinks, all resort activities, nightly entertainment, and Kids Club. Call for specific rates.
Volun-tourism at The Westin Resort, St. John with $100 Resort Credit:
Give back this spring by staying at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas during March and April. The resort is offering a $100 resort credit and transfers for guests who volunteer at the nearby Virgin Islands National Park. Offered through the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, visitors participate in a one-day program that allows volunteers to show up any Tuesday or Thursday at 8 a.m. to help maintain park trails and ruins and remove debris from beaches and coastlines. With the nightly double occupancy rate starting at $399 the Westin St. John is only 10 minutes from the national park, and guests must mention their plans to volunteer at check-in to receive the credit.
Hit the Beach in the Heart of Texas from $157 Per Night:
Horseshoe Bay Resort is a lakeside retreat in Texas Hill Country, and just 45 minutes outside of Austin, Texas. With a beach, four swimming pools, a full-service marina, seven dining outlets, Andy Roddick Kids’ Tennis Courts (specially designed by the United States Tennis Association for children 10 and under), three championship Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf courses, and the Bayside Spa & Fitness Center, you can’t go wrong. With a daily itinerary of kid and family-friendly activities during spring break including glow-in-the-dark line dancing, banana boat rides, family bingo, dockside fishing, family fried chicken night, dive-in movies, and s’mores at the fire pit, there’s something for kids of all ages and adults too. The standard nightly rates over spring break (call for specific dates) start at $157 per room for king or double beds, based on double occupancy. The Texas Family Fun Package starts at $325 per night, including accommodations, a resort credit starting at $100 for a two-night stay and increasing in $50 increments for each additional night booked for up to five nights. Also included is one ‘fun pack’ and complimentary sodas wristband for each child ages 3 to 12, as well as discounts for the kids’ club, golf, and spa.
Rates from $159 per night on Florida’s West Coast::
Guests looking for some fun in the sun can find rates starting at $159 per night at the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg. The 85-year old property features recently renovated guest rooms, five restaurants, a private marina, 18-hole golf course, 12-court tennis complex, outdoor pools, and a fitness center with complimentary classes. Parents can sneak a little bit of education into their kids’ spring break fun by taking an hour-long tour with the in-house historian, Elaine Normile, or one of her docents. Offered year-round, Wednesday to Saturday at 10:30 a.m., resort guests only pay $5 for the tour.
Ocean Views and Suite Deals at The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba:
Want an Ocean View room with breakfast? Rates start at $219 starting on April 29. There’s also the Suite Family Packages for those who want to spread out in an Ocean View suite and receive a 50 percent discount on connecting rooms. The “Ocean Views and Suite Deals” packages includes $100 food and beverage credit, or you can book an additional resort view room and receive a 50 percent discount with a four night minimum stay required. Rates start at $379 on April 29. The Westin Resort & Casino in Aruba recently unveiled the newly renovated Palm Beach Casino. Guests get access to not only 300 high-tech slot machines, five Hyperlink machines, roulette, craps, and card games (think Black Jack, Three Card Stud, Let it Ride and Caribbean Poker), but there is also the adjoining Palm Beach Lounge for watching sports, sipping cocktails, and enjoying live entertainment.
The Best Ways to Find the Cheapest Fares:
Check out www.Fly.com, billed as one of the easiest-to-use airfare search engines around, and it lists baggage fees for major airlines to help travelers assess the true cost of their journey. “Baggage fees are very confusing and costly. Travelers with bags should definitely research before they book if they want to save money,” said Justin Soffer, vice president and general manager of Fly.com. “For example, non-stop flights from New York to Ft. Lauderdale this [past] December on American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue Airways currently cost just $100 one way. On the surface, all prices are equal, but American charges $70 for two bags, Delta charges $55 and JetBlue charges $30. Therefore, the real prices for passengers with two bags can vary by as much as $40. That isn’t so obvious when you take an initial look at the ticket price.” Soffer also suggests that travelers may save even more money by paying for baggage fees online instead of at the airport. Fly.com also lists the fee differences between advance and airport purchase.