Photo: Grand Wailea
Haven’t booked your summer trip yet? Never fear, there are great options for last minute luxury family getaways thanks to private sale sites like Jetsetter, Vacationist, Luxury Link, Family Getaway.com and a fun new site called Off and Away that offers amazing hotel suites at incredible prices. Luxury hotels are also offering great values direct to your inbox if you sign up for their newsletter, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. The Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii is currently offering the 7th night free and kids eat free breakfast when you book 6 nights. Offer valid for stays between 5/31/10 thru 9/6/10. Yesterday I wrote about some great deals on luxury travel to Greece from JetSetter and Vacationist.com. You can also check out my 7 secrets for savvy summer airfare shopping and hip travel booking links for family travel, or tips for getting luxe for less on your summer trip on Zulily.com. Here are a few new ways to score big on last minute luxury summer trips for a weekend or week away:
Epic Luxury Hotel Suites on Sale
Photo: Off&Away Hotel Finisterra
Try your hand at a fun new site called Off and Away. The site functions much like an auction, where you buy a pack of bids to bid to win luxury hotel suites at prices you could never score yourself. The clock runs down and then the game really gets fun. Here’s how it works. If you’re outbid, apply up to 110% of your used bids towards another room at any of their 50,000 partner hotels at the Web’s best published rates. I’ve got my eye on the upcoming Palapa Beach Club Suite at the Hotel Finesterra in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (a short trip from Seattle).
Palapa Beach Club Suite at the Hotel Finesterra: Auction Starts 7pm Tuesday July 20: 3 Nights in the exclusive Palapa Beach Club – Two Bedroom Suite at Hotel Finisterra in Cabo San Lucas, México. The best views of the Pacific Ocean are offered from this 3,660 square foot suite located on the 8th floor. The first master bedroom is configured with a King Bed, big screen TV, Jacuzzi tub and private balcony. The second master bedroom has Two Queen Beds, big screen TV, double sink vanity, tub, separate shower and private balcony. Separate full bathroom for the living, dining and kitchen area.
Luxury Hotel Summer Sales
- Photo: Familygetaway.com: Vedema Resort
Private sale sites are a mecca for last minute travel and the inventory is good this summer. FamilyGetaway.com is currently offering a spectacular 4 night package Santorini getaway for $3,110, up to 40% off retail.
This package includes:
- 4 nights in an Athenian Suite
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 800 square feet
- 1 king bed, 2 twin beds, 1 rollaway bed
- Private terrace
- Roundtrip private transfers between Santorini Airport (JTR) or Athinios Port and the resort
- Welcome drinks, one per person
- American champagne breakfast for up to four each morning
- Dinner for up to four on one evening of your choice, served at Vinsanto
- Wine tasting for two adults on one evening of your choice
- 3-hour private island tour for up to four on one day of your choice, with visits to main attractions
- Shuttle service to Vedema private beach and access to beach services
- Taxes & service charges
June 1, 2010 – July 31, 2010
September 1, 2010 – October 15, 2010
Reservations are subject to availability at time of booking. May not be valid during holidays and special event periods.
Is your summer trip all set and you are ready to get a jump on your fall trip? Now may be the time to book fall travel. According to Bing Travel, average domestic airfare for travel between Sept 1 and Nov 30 is relatively flat from last year, up only 4.6% as compared with the same period in 2009 (averaging $365 in 2010 vs $349 in 2009). Average fall premium domestic hotel rates are down 7.5% as compared with fall 2009 (averaging $139 in 2010 vs $149 in 2009).Have a specific destination in mind for last minute summer travel? Tell us about it in the comments.