There’s trouble brewing in paradise this weekend. It’s all that Karma, or is it Carmageddon? The Sepulveda pass section of the 405 Freeway is being closed for 53 hours, choking off traffic in Los Angeles.

From 7 pm Friday to 5 am Monday, half a million vehicles that use the gridlocked pass will have to find another way in or out (Jetblue is offering $4 flights…). The city is advising people to stay put, or as Tom Hanks puts it – “Grid-lock-apalooza! STAY HOME. Eat & shop local!”

Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica

For those who would rather escape the gridlock, a number of hotels from Santa Monica and Los Angeles to Newport Beach and Las Vegas are offering Carmageddon 405 escape hotel deals.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica: The $405 ‘Live Like a Local’ package offers a ’405 free weekend’ with deluxe accommodations, overnight parking and poolside relaxation at the hotel’s Beach Club.  Valid for the month of July 2011.

Fairmont Newport Beach: The Fairmont’s ‘Escape the LA Gridlock’ package includes overnight accommodations, 40% off on a 60-minute massage or facial treatments at the hotel spa, 2 cocktails, complimentary valet parking and a late 4 pm checkout. Valid July 15-17, with rates from $139.

Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas: The aptly priced $405 Carmageddon package includes 2 or 3 nights in the hotel’s casino tower, a complimentary cabana and VIP access to Vanity Nighclub. Package valid July 15-17. For more details or booking, call 800-343-4346 and use promo code ‘HCARMA.’

Hotel Palomar Los Angeles: Their Carmageddon weekend package includes complimentary parking, $40.05 dining credit and $4.05 specialty cocktails. Just call (800) 472-8556 and ask for the Carmageddon package.

Mammoth Mountain: Their $405 package includes a 3 night stay in your choice of lodging from the available options, which are the The Mammoth Mountain Inn, Tamarack Lodge & Resort, Juniper Springs Resort and The Village Lodge. The package is valid July 13 – 17, 2011 and you can add additional nights for $135/night, if you want.

Sheraton LAX: Plan a relaxing weekend with a stay at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel and enjoy rates starting from $99. Valid July 15-17, 2011. For more details or booking, call (866) 716-8134 and use promo code ‘CARMAGDN.’

Newport Beach alone has six hotels (including the Fairmont and the Island Hotel) offering Carmageddon deals and packages. There are even more Los Angeles hotels, restaurants, bars and shopping centers offering all kinds of deals that are mapped out here.

Photo – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

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View from our balcony & outdoor tables

Last winter my family invited me to come stay with them in the Marriott Plaza Andaluza, a vacation club resort in Spain.

Besides its location, what I loved most about it was the inclusive property details and furnishings. This is the sort of resort that caters to the large family on vacation as much as they cater to the romantic couples. There are many white hill towns to see and coastal areas to explore, this location worked perfectly for sight-seeing in Southern Spain.

There are multiple outdoor pools of differing sizes and styles. One we walked by was clearly meant for watching over the little ones, while another was set back from the beach front and overflowing with beach chairs pointing directly into the sunlight, perfect for sunbathing. Read More »

Someone break your heart and stomp on the pieces? The Tropicana Hotel & casino resort in Atlantic City is offering to help pick up the pieces, with a ‘Bad Breakup Recovery’ package.

Planet Rose at Tropicana AC

Tropicana boss-man Mark Giannantonio explains - “It’s easy to be a bit cynical about love, with all the high profile breakups and scorned lovers in the news this year. We thought that Tropicana is the perfect place to put aside your cares, mend a broken heart and roll the dice on another chance at love.”

 To launch the package, booted Bachelorettes Gia Allemand, Ella Nolan, and Alexa McAllister from The Bachelor will be on hand at the Tropicana on March 27, 2010, offering breakup recovery tips in person at the Rumba Lounge, and in a Q&A session on radio Trop Live.

Available March 27 through June 26, 2010, the Bad Breakup Recovery package includes one night accommodation in a standard guestroom and admission to Planet Rose to sing ‘love stinks’ songs with choice of one cocktail.

Also a box of Godiva chocolates, decadent ice cream at Create A Cone, choice of in-room movie, $100 makeup credit to bluemercury apothecary and complimentary IN Card which gives access to nightclubs, food and beverage, parking discounts and more.

The Tropicana has more than 2,100 rooms and suites and also has The Quarter  - a 200,000 sq ft entertainment complex. Not to mention over 20 restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, 2 pools, an IMAX Theatre and a spa. Not a bad place to recover from a broken heart.

More info: www.tropicana.net/

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Sannibel Seaside Inn Room, Florida

Sanibel Island on the west coast of Florida is one of the hidden gems on the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel Island isn’t crowded with high-rise condos and hotels. The pristine beach has been preserved around the island for visitors and families to enjoy its nature. White sandy beaches and calm Gulf waters are the backdrop of Seaside Inn at Sanibel Island.

Staying at Seaside Inn gives you access to the shell-covered 14 mile stretch of sandy beach. Tropical foliage houses nature at its best with pelicans and herons and in nearby waters you’ll find manatee and dolphins. Show your family the nature of Florida just out the front door of your hotel.

You don’t have to skimp on your lifestyle with in-room internet access, cable TV, and DVD player. Relax in your room on the Gulf with the breeze blowing through your doors and window while your surf the internet! Your family will have plenty of room to enjoy your weekend getaway in a standard room, a suite, or one of Seaside Inn’s beachfront cottages.

This tropical getaway is available year-round, and with rates in the Spring around $200/night, it’s a must-visit for your weekend away from home.

Sannibel Seaside Inn - Gulf of Mexico, Florida

Address: 541 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957 | Phone: 866-48-74355
Website: www.seasideinn.com

Photos courtesy: Seaside Inn