Low rates in Rome or a feast on the beach in Puerto Rico

October 19, 7:37 AMInternational Travel ExaminerRita Cook

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Try Rome for the holidays  

The holidays are fast approaching and many hotels are offering special holiday rates and packages available now through the New Year!  Offers include low rates in Rome, a feast on the beach in Puerto Rico, unlimited golfing in Florida and incredible value and events in Mexico, New Mexico and New Orleans!  All you have to do is decide where you want to go.

Royal Hideaway Playacar - The first of it’s kind to win the AAA Five-Diamond Award, this adults-only, all-inclusive resort, located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region, is offering a fourth night free for travel now through December 20 (including The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival November 25-28).  In addition, the resort has reduced rates and minimum night stay requirements for the holiday season (five nights when traveling Dec 20 – 26 and four nights when staying Dec 27 - Jan 3). Royal Hideaway Playacar vacations start from $300 per person, per night, based on double occupancy and include unlimited meals and snacks, with six á la carte specialty restaurants, a new interactive Chef’s Table and 24-hour room service, unlimited drinks featuring premium alcoholic beverages, a selection of house wines, juices and soft drinks, daily resort activities, evening entertainment, DVD library, non-motorized water sports, and all taxes and gratuities.

For reservations at Royal Hideaway Playacar, call 1-800-999-9182 or visit www.royalhideaway.com

Rome Cavalieri - Rome Cavalieri, The Waldorf Astoria Collection is offering rates starting at 250 Euro per night* for a single garden-view room over the Christmas holiday, inclusive of breakfast daily and VAT.  During the Christmas and New Year week there is a bevy of complimentary activities and offerings for families, including:  Christmas Choir, nightly live music, chocolate making classes for kids and visits from Santa Clause.  Special Christmas and New Years Eve dinner celebrations will also be available for guest booking at two of our restaurants, the three-star Michelin La Pergola and the L’Uliveto.  There are also a variety of additional food and beverage-focused activities in La Pergola, L’Uliveto and the Tiepolo Lounge throughout the Christmas week that guests can reserve at an additional cost.  More information is available upon request.  For additional information, visit: www.romecavalieri.com. *Offer valid from December 22, 2009 to January 7, 2010 (subject to availability)

Wyndham Rio Mar - This Thanksgiving, guests at Puerto Rico’s Wyndham Rio Mar can enjoy a Feast On the Beach! The 500-acre beachfront resort is serving up turkey and all the trimmings with the signature style of new Executive Chef Jan Pfeiffer. In addition to traditional holiday fare like pumpkin soup, chestnut stuffing and cranberry relish, Rio Mar’s Feast on the Beach dinner will offer a charcuterie display, seafood bar, Italian Trattoria specialties, and Mexican favorites from the Evo Grill. Rates include buffet, open bar, taxes and gratuities. Children (ages 4-12) are $25 extra. Rates start at $209 per night, single occupancy, and $229 per night, double occupancy. Three-night minimum stay, and rates valid from Nov. 24-30. Reservations must be made by Nov. 26. For more information or reservations, call 787-888-6000 or visit www.wyndhamriomar.com

CasaMagna Marriot Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa - CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers two affordable holiday packages: Pure Magic Family Holiday and Sand Dollar.  Pure Magic Family Holiday includes accommodations in newly renovated deluxe rooms, complimentary breakfast and lunch daily, free lunch and dinner for kids 12 years old or younger, and two-for-one relaxation treatments at Ohtli Spa.  Rates start at $179 per night for guests traveling between Dec. 19 and Dec. 22, 2009. For those traveling Dec. 23, 2009 through Jan. 2, 2010 rates start at $439. Available for booking now through Oct.31, 2009.

Sand Dollar includes accommodations in newly renovated guest rooms, a fourth night free, daily breakfast, and free lunch and dinner for children 12 years old and younger.  Discounted rates start at $299 per night for guests traveling between Dec. 19 and Dec. 22, 2009. For those traveling between Dec. 23, 2009 and Jan. 2, 2010 rates start at $459. Available for booking now through Jan. 2, 2010.

The resort, located between Mexico’s majestic Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay, boasts one of Mexico’s most spacious spas, amenities such as tennis courts, an oceanfront pool, gourmet restaurants and various beach sports and activities.  For additional information about the resort or to make reservations, please call 1-888-PARADISE or visit www.puertovallartamarriott.com.

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa - Located on the largest private beach in Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is getting into the holiday spirit, offering visitors a night on the house and up to $200 resort credit!  Guests that spend two nights will receive the third night free and $100 resort credit per stay; guests that spend three nights will receive the fourth night free and $200 resort credit per stay.  Holiday travelers can take advantage of the newly-renovated Spa at Harbor Beach or indulge in the award-winning, local favorite 3030 Ocean helmed by Chefs Dean Max and Paula DaSilva.  (DaSilva was the runner-up in the last season of Hell’s Kitchen with Chef Gordon Ramsay.) 

The Holiday Savings at Harbor Beach is available November 19, 2009 through January 12, 2010. For reservations, please visit www.marriottharborbeach.com or call (800) 222-6543 and use promotional code ZJL.

Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort - For those fleeing to the warm Florida sunshine over the holiday season and planning some time on the links, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is offering the Unlimited Rounds Retreat package, available through December 25.  Starting at $279 per night, the package includes deluxe guestroom accommodations, UNLIMITED golf for two people daily at The Rookery at Marco Island (including cart) and daily breakfast.  Guests will also receive complimentary bag storage, bag tags, range balls and locker at The Club at The Rookery for personal use.  For reservations, please visit www.marriott.com/mrkfl and use promotional code GOF. 

An idyllic destination overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island offers a tropical-isle feel within a domestic locale.  While no passport is required, the resort provides one for guests upon check-in, loaded with savings and up to $200 resort credit.  Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort created its own “Passport to Paradise:” a customized booklet with value-added incentives, including 50% off recreation and golf, 20% off spa, and discounts on dining, shopping and more.  Guests are encouraged to travel around the resort and take advantage of the passport discounts while earning stamps for each experience.  Five stamps equal a $100 resort credit, while ten or more stamps earn $200 for a return visit.  For resort information please visit www.marcoislandmarriott.com.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort - Miami is a hot spot for a lot of holiday travelers. This season, escape the crowds in South Beach with a relaxing getaway on 650 tropical acres at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort.  The South Florida resort is offering guests the Escape Your Way Golf or Spa package, including deluxe guestroom accommodations, daily breakfast and choice of golf or spa daily per person. 

Golf amenities include:

18 holes of golf on the Red, Gold or new The Jim McLean Signature Course (opens Nov. 15).  Upgrade to Blue Monster and Great White available at additional cost.
Advance tee times (up to 60 days prior to arrival)
Introductory golf clinic
Unlimited use of the driving range
Golf bag storage 

Spa amenities include a choice of one of the following rejuvenating treatments at the award-winning Spa at Doral:

Massages: Relax Swedish, Rewind Aromatherapy, Reflexology or Evolve Massage Sampler
Wraps: Restore (Italian fango applied to body to gently cleanse, re-mineralize and detoxify) or Drench (warm oil aromatherapy body wrap)
Facials: Reveal Clinical Peel, Refine (deep cleansing and exfoliation) or Saving Face Hydrating Facial 

Available throughout the year, the Escape Your Way Golf or Spa package starts at $258 per room, per night, based on double occupancy.  For reservations, please visit www.marriott.com/miadl and use promotional code ZJL.  For resort information, please visit www.doralresort.com.

New Orleans Marriott - New Orleans Marriott recognizes it is better to give than to receive and is giving guests special Papa Noel rates starting at only $89 per night from December 1 to 24, 2009. Since the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a traditional N’awlins feast, the hotel’s renowned 5 Fifty 5 restaurant will offer a six-course reveillon dinner menu, for $45 per person.  The elaborate spread will feature “555” char-broiled oysters and Creole fried green tomatoes with Louisiana goat cheese, butternut squash bisque, speckled trout, Silverado® rack lamp chop and more (save room for the hazelnut terrine with eggnog sabayon and spiced port wine sauce).  Derived from the French word for 'awakening,' reveillon was originally a meal served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve.  New Orleans reawakened the reveillon by transforming the old Creole custom into a popular holiday experience for travelers and locals alike. As an added treat, guests can learn tips on how to prepare these delectable dishes by participating in a cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Mark Quitney at Le Petit Theatre. www.neworleansmarriott.com

Eldorado Hotel & Spa - In honor of the 400th anniversary of Santa Fe, guests who book two nights at the four-diamond Eldorado Hotel & Spa will receive the third night gratis, valued at over $200. Use the 33% savings towards on-property pampering at the Nidah Spa where the Signature 24 Karat Gold Facial has been reduced to a special anniversary price of $400, a savings of $100.  Guests can also treat themselves to a gourmet meal at the award-winning Old House restaurant. Eldorado Hotel & Spa is conveniently located next to the historic Santa Fe Plaza where guests can explore the city by foot and visit additional must-see attractions such as the famed Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the Loretto Chapel’s “Miraculous Staircase.” Nightly rates start at $219. For reservations or information please visit www.eldoradohotel.com or call (800) 955-4455 and mention PROSTA for the Super Saver third-night free offer valid through December 30, 2009.