From the canal-facing rooms at the Westin Europa & Regina in Venice, you can watch and hear the gondoliers singing. And you get a third night free through the end of the year.

by Julia Bainbridge on Travel Deals

Wendy's a big fan of third-night-free deals. Such promotions are clean and simple, you don't have to pay a rate that includes extras you might not want or need (e.g., meals, parking, spa treatments, kids' club), and, once you factor in taxes and other mandatory hotel fees, the free night usually translates into a reduction of at least 30% off your total bill.

Which is why we like Westin's offer of a free night when travelers book three or four nights, and two free nights when you book a six-night stay. This deal applies at all Westin properties worldwide.

Example: You can stay three nights in Venice's Westin Europa & Regina (a perennial Gold List honoree) in August starting at $984 instead of $1,476. That's $328 per night (including all taxes and fees) instead of $492 for a room with two twin beds--and Murano glass chandeliers. Same deal at the 2009 Hot List property the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, Colorado (which has some other good deals on offer right now too). Book three nights in August and pay a total of $540 instead of $810. That's $180 per night (including all taxes and fees) instead of $270 for a room with a queen bed and a queen sofa bed.

Book by and travel by: December 31, 2009. We're told that Westin may extend this deal through 2010, though, so stay tuned. You can check out all the Westin locations here.

Caveat: The rates for the nights you pay for are based on availability and demand. We've seen demand for hotels in Italy rise lately, so if you're headed there soon--meaning, late summer or fall--book now.