I’d heard about a lake in Mexico that sounded like something out of a book of fairy tales. They called it Lago de Siete Colores – Lake of Seven Colors in English – and everyone who’d ever seen it raved about the rainbow colors that shimmered on the surface of this second largest lake in Mexico. There wasn’t a lot to be found on the Internet about the lake; located in the far southern part of the Yucatan, it was visited by only the most intrepid travelers. But since I’d rented a car for the week, I took a chance and drove the four hours from Playa del Carmen, armed with a list of the few budget accommodations I’d identified.

Standard room at Hotelito la Ceiba

I rolled into town in mid-afternoon, took one look at the gorgeous water and knew I had to stick around for a couple of days. The cheap digs – the only true hostel in town – sent me running for the car. The inside was a furnace without even a fan to cool the dorms, beds were little more than plywood planks, and the place was far from clean. I checked out a couple of other hotels but they were too expensive for my beer budget. Just as I was about to give up I spotted a sign for Hotelito La Ceiba and decided to make one last stop. Thank goodness I did! Read More »

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Orlando Vacation Package

Each year, Universal Orlando Resort^® hosts the scariest, most frightening Halloween-themed experience in Florida: Halloween Horror Nights^®. It’s so popular, and so entertaining, and so fright-worthy, visitors make it a destination for a vacation in October.

Hundreds of thousands of people will be in Orlando for the 20th annual Halloween Horror Nights^® XX: Twenty Years of Fear* this year. Universal Orlando Resort^® is offering hotel vacation packages to visitors who want to scream their way through the park for three nights of fright.

All three on-site hotels (Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific) are offering packages for visitors. The three night package deal starts at $649 and included round-trip airport transfers, a 2-day Park-to-Park pass including access to Halloween Horror Nights^® XX, 3 nights hotel accommodation at your selected hotel, and hotel tax and service charges.

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Stay at a nice hotel; the hotel gives montey to a worthy charity. It doesn’t happen often.

But at the Rosen Hotels in Orlando, they ARE donating a portion of your night’s stay to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central Florida in honor of “Pinktober’s Sleepover for the Cure.” To honor those recognized during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rosen Hotels is giving 3% of guest night’s stay to Susan G Komen for the Cure Central Florida.

Book a stay at one of three top-notch Rosen hotels between now and December 31, 2010 (based on availability), and 3% of your package will be directly donated to Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Sleepover for the Cure packages include a two-for-one golf deal, deluxe accommodations, 15% of food and beverage during your stay, and complimentary self-parking.

Rates at the Rosen Plaza hotel start at $85/night
Conveniently located on International Drive, you’re poised to enjoy all that “tourism in Orlando” has to offer. Take the I•Ride Trolley up and down I-Drive to all the best restaurants and attractions including Pointe Orlando.
9700 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819

By the pool at the Rosen Plaza, Orlando, Florida

Stays at the Rosen Centre start at $89/night
Also located on the popular International Drive, this classic hotel provides quality service at a great rate while also giving back to charity. The Rosen Centre Everglades restaurant is on-site and is well known as a top-notch restaurant in Orlando.
9840 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819

Contemporary Classic Hotel - Rosen Centre, Orlando, FL

Rosen Shingle Creek rates starting at just $99/night
The poshest of the charity-giving Rosen bunch, the meeting and convention center at Shingle Creek is identified as being environmentally-friendly and a “green” sustainable locale. The on-site golf course will entice players and their partners alike with its award-winning links.
9939 Universal Blvd.,
Orlando, Florida 32819

Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL

Photos courtesy: Rosen

The White Elephant Residences

There are plenty of reasons to visit Nantucket Island in the summer, but depending on your plans, there are also some great reasons to visit in the fall months. The crowds are much lighter, and as a result, the prices are much lower. This fall, the White Elephant Hotel is offering some great rates as part of their Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion.

Here are some of the discounted rates available (in July, the lowest these rooms are is $550):

$275: September 19, 23, 28-30

$195: October 14, 17-18, 21, 24-30

$195: November 4-6
$225: November 24-27

Rates for one night, double occupancy, are based on availability, and exclude taxes and gratuities.

Do you think there’s nothing exciting going on in the fall in Nantucket? Think again! There are lots of fun and unique activities, including Nantucket Restaurant Week (September 27nd through October 3rd), the Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Cranberry Festival (October 9th), and the Annual Chowder Contest (October 16th).

The White Elephant Hotel is owned by the Nantucket Island Hotels, a collection of hotels and resorts on the island.  The hotel is located right on the Nantucket waterfront, and offers fifty-three rooms and suites (some with fireplaces).  The hotel contains an on-site seafood and steak restaurant, the Brant Point Grill, as well as a luxurious spa.

The White Elephant Hotel
50 Easton Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
800.445.6574

Photo credit: The White Elephant Hotel