Rates Slashed at Ritz-Carlton Resorts
by Wendy Perrin
There's a silver lining to the country's economic meltdown: Hotel deals. Remember I was telling you that properties in the U.S. and nearby will be offering deals this winter the likes of which we haven't seen since post-9/11? Well, Ritz-Carlton has just lowered room rates and relaxed minimum-stay restrictions for its Florida, Caribbean, and Mexico properties for the peak upcoming Christmas/New Year's holiday season. One traveler we know has already saved $350 per night.
This move is highly unusual and highlights just how badly luxury hotels will need to fill rooms this winter and how steep the sales will be. It also means there are still plenty of rooms available for those holiday weeks that are normally sold-out this late in the year. At the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, for instance, holiday rates start at $209. At the Key Biscayne property (pictured at left) rates start at $369, with a $100 resort credit if you book this month. Neither property is imposing length-of-stay restrictions this year.
I heard about this from Terry McCabe of Altour, one of my favorite travel agents and a Caribbean specialist on my list of the world's best travel planners, published annually in Conde Nast Traveler. Top travel agents like Terry who belong to Ritz-Carlton's STARS program get extra perks for their clients. Say you want to go to the Ritz-Carlton Cancun: If you book a deluxe room through a STARS agency, you get a $200 resort credit; you get a $300 credit for all Club rooms and suites. And the Reconnect package -- which includes daily buffet breakfast for two and a $100 daily resort credit in the rate -- is available for all room categories. Happy Holidays!
One last tip: Before booking any hotel or resort stay this fall/winter, be sure to read my October Perrin Report on where you'll find the best deals, how to nab them, and how to negotiate for more. This is the year you've got the power.
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Hi Wendy...Reading about the Ritz Carlton and what they are doing to encourage travel by offering reduced rates- I wanted to mention an email that I just received from CCAfrica who has camps and lodges in Africa and India. Normally they have a deposit policy that is very strict with 20% deposit required soon after booking and once received, is non-refundable. BUT, with their acknowledging the fact that "confirming travel has become a little more difficult" they have amended their policy and will now- have a policy that will help the person considering such a trip, but not fully able to commit. "All deposits due or paid for new FIT or private bookings until the end of 2009 will be FULLY REFUNDABLE up to 60 days prior to travel" The exclusions are their Signature Offers (free nights, discounted rates, etc.), but this is very encouraging for people hoping to travel in the upcoming year but not 100% certain that they can. I am sure that this new policy will be repeated in some form by many other companies as they encourage the Travelers of our World to continue to plan their next vacation.
It's a beginning.
Nina Wennersten
Hippo Creek Safaris
Posted by: hippocreeksafaris | October 17, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Great tips on the October Perrin Report! I always try to stay on a Sunday if my schedule permits. Will put your suggestion on room negotiations into play today when I check in to the Courtyard Marriott.
Has anyone had success with bidding on LuxuryLink.com? Any tips you would like to share with a newbie?
www.Twitter.com/Nancydbrown
Posted by: WhataTrip | October 18, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I have won a lot of bids on Luxury Link and have been thrilled with all of them. All hotels gave us exactly what we bid for and many times even more (Nine Zero in Boston gave us a SUnday brunch that wasn't part of the package we bid on!). So, bid and buy with confidence. I hav used them for about 5 years. Happy bidding!
Posted by: calypso | October 18, 2008 at 01:42 PM