NASA’s Atlantis shuttle takes off one last time on July 8, 2011. It’s like Close Encounters, with people from all over irresistibly drawn to the Kennedy Space Center to see the last active shuttle lift-off on its final flight to space.

To mark the momentous occasion, the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee has a unique NASA Lift-Off promotion. They’re giving away 135 room-nights for $30 each. There’s a catch, of course…

Gaylord Palms & Atlantis Shuttle

To get the $30 rate for one night, you have to call Gaylord Palms at 407-586-0123, and you have to call at 11:26 a.m. on July 8, the scheduled time and date of Atlantis’ lift-off. The first ones to do so get the $30 room-nights.

Each of the 135 room nights on sale represents one of the 135 shuttle missions, while the $30 rate honors the 30 years the space shuttle program has been in existence.

Only one room for one night will be allowed per booking. The booking will be valid for stays in-between July 8 and August 31, 2011 (excluding Aug 6-10).  Oh, and the promo will go through even if the shuttle launch is delayed.

So if you want to enjoy a stay in an upscale 4-star Orlando resort hotel near Disney World for $30, then be ready to dial them at 11:26 a.m. on July 8.

The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center offers 1,406 guest rooms, including 115 suites with wireless internet, in-room safes and plush mattresses. The resort offers four and a half acres of lush gardens and waterways under glass for wandering around, plus a South Beach pool for hanging out.

Amenities on offer include six restaurants and lounges, live entertainment every night, and a water park for the kids with a zero-entry pool, octopus water slide, sand play area, waterfall. You can also watch live gator feedings.

Photos: Atlantis – public domain; Pool – Gaylord Hotels

More info: Gaylord Palms – 6000 W. Osceola Parkway Kissimmee, Florida 34746; 407-586-2000

Related posts:
Daytona Shuttle Launch Package
Best View of the Shuttle Launch: The Inn at Cocoa Beach
Kennedy Space Center: Orlando, Florida day trip ideas
8 Reasons I Could Live At The Gaylord Palms Resort

Having to fly unexpectedly to Scottsdale, Arizona recently for a family emergency, I found myself scrambling to locate a hotel with enough amenities to satisfy my parents and my wildly diverse siblings with their extended families.  Not being familiar with the area, but wanting to get a hotel with the basics to satisfy me, I can report that the Wingate by Windham in Scottsdale is where I plan to return to whenever I am back in town.

Plush Beds @ Wingate Scottsdale AZ

The Wingate by Wyndham is part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of hotel brands that includes Ramada, Days Inn, Travelodge, Howard Johnson and more.

This Wingate is targeted to the business traveler, with a 24 hour fitness room that I used daily, and a well stocked breakfast set up every morning from 6:00 until 9:00. I stuck to the cereal and eggs, but my sister raved about the “make your own waffles”. With the heat, my brother skipped the gym and used the pool. He swam every morning, reporting to me how nice and clean the water was.

Great Equipment & Television in the 24 Hour Fitness Room

They offer great deals for seniors and AAA members.  We had nicely appointed queen rooms for $89 a night.  My room had two queen beds and huge flat screen LG television.  With my sister in a room on one side of me and my mother on the other side, how quiet my room was at night was perfect.

Neutrogena Products & Fluffy Towels

We all agreed that the Moen Revolution showerhead was a nice perk and my father loved how new the ironing board and iron were. He likes a a very sharp crease in his pants. Each room has a single-cup coffeemaker with Wolfgang Puck coffee that comes in handy if you stay up late like my niece or get up at the crack of dawn, like my mom.

With members of my family unable to drive but needing to get to the mall and other destinations, we were pleasantly surprised by their free shuttle service. They have a few vans available from 7:00 to 7:00 everyday, that will take you anywhere you want to go within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. Amanda, one of the front desk agents drove us a couple of times and expertly got us to our destination. Given my parents back seat driving and the hundred temperatures, I couldn’t tip her enough.

Make Your Own Waffles!

The Phoenix Airport is too far but the Scottsdale Airport is close enough use their free shuttle.  If you need to print your boarding pass, they have a 24 hour Business Center too with free internet access and printer.  The Wingate by Wyndham in Scottsdale has an amazing staff who offered our family so much warmth. If you travel to Scottsdale for business, a round of golf or maybe a girls spa weekend, this hotel is in a great location off the 101 Loop.

All photos taken by my iPhone.

Like Tom Hanks in that movie The Terminal, we’re still in airports. So far we’ve been to SFO and O’Hare, and today we’re heading to Pacific Northwest, the home of Sea-Tac, a.k.a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Sea-Tac is a fair distance from downtown Seattle, and you have to drive through notoriously bad traffic to get there. If you have an early morning flight, or you’re traveling with kids (big or small), a night at an affordable hotel can get your holiday off to an early start. It might also help you avoid a headache!

You won’t find much in the way of luxury accommodations in the Sea-Tac area, but you do have your choice of the major hotel chains.

Marriott Hotel SeaTac

This Marriott is is probably the fanciest hotel you can find near Sea-Tac. It’s very geared toward the business traveler, with meeting rooms, wifi and a full business center with copy and fax service.

Seattle Airport Marriott room

There is a beautiful atrium with an indoor pool, and a lounge if you want to stay dry but wet your whistle.

Seattle Airport Marriott atrium pool

Seattle Airport Marriott atrium lounge

The rooms are spacious and well appointed, with new beds, duvets, and flat panel tvs. Suites are available, with standard rooms starting at $119.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites

Located one mile from the airport, and more geared toward the one night stay traveler, this hotel is less beautiful than the Marriott, but has a laundry list of amenities, including on-site laundry, valet service and dry cleaning services. You can also take advantage of the the free airport shuttle, make a quick meal in your room at a kitchenette or enjoy the complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Inn Express Sea-Tac

Rooms are about what you’d expect — no gorgeous decorations, but some kitchenettes have full sized refrigerators and you have enough room to spread out and repack before the flight out or home. Rates start around $99.

Holiday Inn Express Sea-Tac double room

Super 8 Motel of SeaTac

If you really just want a bed with clean sheets, then you can count on the Super 8. The rooms are basic — queen size beds, TV with HBO, and “an alarm clock in every room.”

Super 8 Sea-Tac room

For $80 a night you get the room, a free 24-hour shuttle to the airport, complimentary breakfast, and pets are allowed. No frills, no fuss.

Super 8 Sea-Tac breakfast room

It’s a fact of traveling — sometimes you need to pick your hotel to be convenient to the airport. At a major hub like Chicago O’Hare, you have flights arriving and departing at all hours of the day and night. If you find yourself at O’Hare and in need of a place to stay, here are choices that fit any wallet.

Chicago O’Hare InterContinental

InterContinental Hotel O'Hare

The amazingly luxurious standards of the 4-star InterContinental brand, with the convenience of a location five minutes from the airport. The hotel offers every amenity, from suites with deep soaking tubs, original art work in the rooms and high threadcount linens.

InterContinental Hotel O'Hare

There is 24 hour complimentary shuttle service to airport, an art museum on site, and maid service twice a day. All this service starts at the surprisingly affordable rate of $149/night.

Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites

Renaissance Suites O'Hare

For a little less, you can still find spacious and comfortable lodgings. The Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites is located close to the airport, and offers guests free 24 hour shuttle service. This Marriott property prides itself on a warm and friendly atmosphere. The suites have separate sitting and sleeping areas, which is so nice if you’re traveling with your family. Updated amenities include in room refrigerators, two tvs in each suite and wifi. Rates start around $109/night.

The Comfort Inn O’hare

Comfort Inn O'Hare

If you’re looking for something a little more simple (i.e. inexpensive) the consistently reliable Comfort Inn O’hare is located just two miles from the airport. Guests can use the free shuttle service to both O’Hare International Airport and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Rooms at the Comfort Inn O’hare look pretty utilitarian, but they are roomy and clean. Free of charge, guests also receive a full breakfast, wifi in all rooms, a morning paper, and local calls.  If you have time to kills, there is a workout room and spa, with a whirlpool, or you can do some laundry, which is great if you’re on an extended trip. Rooms start around $80.