Hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, resorts and cottages love to put together package deals to entice guests. Typically, inducements include lower rates for particular parts of the week, such as a weekend special, and/or extra amenities added on to the normal service. The type of package offered depends on the type of property, its location, the season, and the target audience.
Ladies especially like spa-like packages that include massages, facials, and beauty treatments. Certified Massage Therapists usually charge around $75 an hour for relaxing, in-room massages that promise to melt your stresses away. You can have your own experience, or you can choose a double massage package where you and a friend experience side-by-side massage. Either way, it’s a big attraction at locations throughout the world.
One of the most reliable packages is the weekend romantic getaway. A couple books a suite for the weekend and is lavished with nice goodies such as a custom arrangements of flowers, a box of chocolates, a complimentary bottle of wine, and a romantic dinner for two at a local restaurant, either in the hotel or nearby. Special suites are outfitted with nice touches like satin sheets, bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and steam showers, unlimited movie access, and souvenir “Do Not Disturb” plaques that you can take home as a memento of your weekend. The décor strives for romantic touches in the use of colors and patterns. The furniture tends to be traditional and cozy, though modern and sleek are also popular. These getaways are also popular for birthdays and anniversaries.
Business travelers who need special facilities can often find a business package to suit their needs. This includes conference rooms, secretarial help, translators, catering, and computers. Frequent flyer miles are often used by business travelers to receive special discounts, upgrades, or even an occasional free night. Many hotel chains have tie-ins with airlines, car rental agencies, and credit card companies so that miles can be racked up quickly. Upgrades are especially popular with business travelers. Often, business hotels have special floors with upgraded services, such as free snacks and drinks, live entertainment, special workout facilities, fruit baskets, etc. By cashing in their frequent flyer miles, business travelers can receive an upgrade to a special floor and enjoy all of the amenities, which often include a larger suite.
Theater-goers often are interested in packages that combine a hotel stay with tickets to one or more shows. New York City has many hotels that offer theater packages, which can also include tickets to the ballet, opera, or symphony orchestra. Big city hotels offer a wide range of these kinds of combination packages, so be sure to check out what is available at your next location when you are travelling.