The Atrium at the Gaylord National

I’ve raved before about how much I love the Gaylord Hotels, and I’m so thrilled that they’ve recently partnered with Dreamworks to create a more family-friendly experience at their hotels. Now, they are offering Family Fun Nights with Shrek and Friends on special nights in February and March 2011.  These nights are the perfect way for kids to really enjoy themselves in a family vacation experience!

The Family Night Nights start at $99 per person, double occupancy, and include the following:

• Accommodations at a Gaylord Hotels resort for a family of up to four
• Admission to DJ dance party with appearances by Shrek, Fiona, and Puss in Boots
• Admission to a DreamWorks movie shown on a big screen
• Puss In Boots Quest for the Magic Beans Scavenger Hunt
• Swamp Juice and Ogre Treats
• A souvenir photo for the families
• A DreamWorks craft activity
• The daily resort fee
• Self parking

The Family Fun Night with Shrek and Friends takes place on Feb. 18, 2012 at both Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN., and Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, FL., and on Feb. 25, 2012 and March 10, 2012 at Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD.

The Gaylord National
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745

The Gaylord Opryland
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

The Gaylord Palms
6000 W Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746

The Gaylord Texan
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051-1945

Photo credit: The Gaylord Hotels

Relax in an AVIA Long Beach Grand King room

Tired of staying in the same big hotels with no personality? On your Long Beach vacation, snag a room at the AVIA Long Beach, and enjoy living well without depleting your bank account.

The boutique hotel’s 138 rooms include crisp linens, Italian-cotton coverlet, McCartan-designed furniture and lighting fixtures, complimentary wired and wireless Internet, MP3 docking station, large bathroom with walk-in shower and waterfall shower head, coffeemaker and flat-panel TV. My room, a Grand King, included a seating area and office space, so I could get my work done.

It may be tempting to lounge in your luxe room, but venture out to the hotel’s handful of restaurant/lounge options. The AVIA Kitchen offers Southern California farm-to-table fare for breakfast and dinner. Right across the lobby, the AVIA Lounge is a swanky bar where you can enjoy drinks and small plates. When the weather is good, head upstairs to the Rooftop 360˚ bar to enjoy the view.

The AVIA Long Beach is just a few steps from The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, located
in the heart of downtown Long Beach’s waterfront dining and entertainment district. It’s also within walking distance of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

AVIA Long Beach, 562-436-1047
285 Bay Street, Long Beach, CA 90802

Photo courtesy of AVIA Long Beach

More Long Beach area-related information:
Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach

The Mansion at Ocean Edge Resort

Are you still looking for something to do with your family for February school vacation (which is in just two short weeks here)?  It’s probably too late to book a flight somewhere, but if you are driving distance to Cape Cod, the February Break Family Getaway Package at the Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster is a great family vacation option.  Today, in Massachusetts, the temperature was in the 50s, so it’s entirely possible that the temperature in February will be above average!

The February Break Family Getaway package is available February 17-26, 2012, and rates start at just $129 per night, per room for a family of four for a one bedroom villa (with a sleep sofa).  Breakfast can be added daily for an additional $13.95 for adults and $7.95 for kids under 12. There’s plenty for the kids to do all week, including special programming like hip hop classes and a Project Runway challenge.  In addition, there are two indoor pools, a game room featuring XBox Kinect, and a kids’ lounge.  To book this package please make a reservation online or call (800) 343-6074 and ask for rate code FEBVACAY

Ocean Edge Resort
2907 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
508.896.9000

Photo credit: Ocean Edge Resort

The Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Most people don’t think of Cape Cod, Massachusetts as a great winter vacation spot, but for Valentine’s Day weekend, it may be the best spot around.  Even in the winter, it’s incredibly scenic, and February should be a nice and quiet time for a romantic weekend.  In addition, the weather here in Massachusetts has actually been unseasonably warm – so you should be able to walk around town without needing to be completely bundled up.

The Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth, MA, is offering an “Escape to the Cape” getaway on Saturday, February 11, 2012.  Guests will enjoy dinner for two at the on-site restaurant Shutters, a delicious chocolate buffet, and breakfast for two on Sunday morning.

Rates for the Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Valentine’s Day Weekend Package start at $250 including taxes and gratuities.  Additional night stay on Friday, February 10, 2012 is available based on availability starting at $89.

The recently renovated Sea Crest Beach Hotel is located on a private beach in North Falmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  The hotel offers 263 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and water view private balconies, perfect for any romantic getaway.

Sea Crest Beach Hotel
350 Quaker Road
North Falmouth, MA 02556

Photo credit: Sea Crest Beach Hotel