Senior Highlights....

HOTEL DISCOUNTS

& SPECIALS

Seniors who need a room at the inn should never pay full price. With the fierce competition in the hotel and resort industry, almost everyone expects (and gets) some sort of discount these days, but seniors often enjoy additional specials and discounts.

"Many hotels and motels across the country and around the world offer attractive discounts for seniors, as well as other amenities," says Sue Goldstein, author of Great Buys for People Over 50 (Penguin Books, 212/366-2000). Known as "The Diva of Discounts," Ms. Goldstein (a "senior" herself) has appeared on hundreds of talk shows and has written many books and magazine articles. Her book lists dozens of hotel discounts (outlined below), as well as a wide range of bargains for people over 50 on many other products and services.

Most of the major hotel and motel chains offer discounts to seniors. Here are some examples:

--Best Western (800/528-1234): With proof of age (AARP membership), Best Western gives a 10% discount in many of more than 3,000 properties in more than 30 countries.

--Budget Host Inns (800/283-4678): Budget Host offers a free Travel Directory, with description of hotels and discount coupons for seniors.

--Days Inn of America (800/247-5152): Members of the September Days Club (for those 50 or older), receive 15-50% discounts on rooms, 10% discounts in gift shops and restaurants, a subscription to Golden Years magazine, and additional discounts on other services and products.

--Econo Lodge of America (800/446-6900): With more than 500 properties, you can usually find an Econo Lodge. Those 55 or older (or AARP members) also find a 10% discount off regular rates.

--Hampton Inns (800-HAMPTON): The Lifestyle 50 club (free membership) lets members and up to three additional adults stay in one room at single-room rates.

--Hilton Hotels (800/445-8667): For those 60 and older, the Senior Hilton HHonors Program offers three levels of memberships, with discounts of up to 50%. You can also earn points, leading to free travel and much more.

--Holiday Inns (800-HOLIDAY): This well-liked chain offers more than 1,200 properties, with 20% discounts on rooms, 10% off meals, and additional savings to AARP members.

--Howard Johnson (800/654-2000): HoJo's Road Rally Program offers 15% to seniors (60+ or senior organization member) at most hotels.

--Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (800/228-3336): With 172 hotels and resorts worldwide, seniors can often find substantial savings at Hyatt. The policies and discounts vary with each property.

--La Quinta Inns (800/531-5900): Their Senior Class program offers a 20% discount and other features.

--Omni Hotels (800-THE OMNI): AARP members can receive a 50% discount on rooms and a 15% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages.

--Radisson Hotels International (800/333-3333): This fast-growing chain offers a range of advance reservation discounts to seniors 62 and over, as well as 15% off in most restaurants and lounges.

--Ramada Inns (800/828-2828): The Best Years Program offers AARP and other national seniors club members a 25% discount. If you're not a member, you still get the discount if you're 60 or older.

--Vagabond Inns (800/522-1555): This popular western (CA, NV, AZ, NM) chain features a Club 55 discount of 10%, as well as a single-rate for up to four people. You get one night free for every nine nights you stay.

--Value Inn by Nendels (800/547-0106): This western chain offers special Golden Escape discounts to seniors at their properties ranging from big cities to small towns.

--Westin Hotels and Resorts (800/228-3000): This upscale chain offers a wide range of big city and resort locations, with more than 90 properties in 23 countries. If your 60 or older or a member of the Silver Wings (United Airlines) program, you receive a 50% discount on stays up to seven nights (five nights at the Arizona Biltmore).

This is only a partial listing. Most hotels and resorts offer some sort of discount to seniors. You should always ask. It's also quite advantageous to become a member of AARP and other appropriate organizations. Membership can definitely have its privileges.

Along with hotels, many resort chains offer discounts to seniors. Sonesta (800/SONESTA) is typical of resort chain offerings, featuring a 15% discount to AARP members. This deluxe chain's special niche is captured by their slogan, "Small Chain. Big Reputation." The company operates 17 unique hotels and resorts, as well as 2 Nile cruise ships. Sonesta's properties are located in Boston, New Orleans (2), Key Biscayne, Bermuda, Aruba (2), Curacao, Chile, and Egypt (9). A new luxury property just opened in Anguilla and another is under development in Costa Rica. "Seniors are a big market for us," says Deborah Weintraub-Roker, their corporate director of public relations.

Along with chains and specific properties, their are many other ways to find discounts and specials. After checking newspaper and other periodical advertisements, your local A.S.T.A.-member travel agent has access to updated discount information through modern computer technology, revealing many specials rates for seniors that may not be found elsewhere. Quite often, travel agents know destinations, accommodations, and discounts better than anyone else (and, generally, free of charge).

Another "discount" accommodations option is timesharing. Timesharing's bad image of the past few decades--heavy-handed salespeople, unexplained price drops, and low-quality resorts--has definitely changed for the better. With the entrance of companies like Disney (800/800-9100), Marriott (800/845-4226), Hilton (800/562-6778), and Hyatt (305/294-3000), the entire industry has improved dramatically. California residents should also seriously consider Welk Vacation Corporation (619/485-5556). Walt Disney World fans with grandkids should definitely look at the big players in Orlando, as well as Island One (407/859-8900), Orange Lake (407/239-1082), and Vistana (407/239-3008).

Other informative discount information can be found from: AARP Travel Service (800/227-7737); American Youth Hostels (202/783-6161); Directory of Low-Cost Vacations With a Difference and Senior Citizen's Guide to Budget Travel (Pilot Books, 516/422-2225); The Discount Guide for Travelers Over 55 (E.P. Dutton, 212/725-1818); Disney's Magic Years Club (714/790-3250); Grand Circle Tours (800/321-2835); Omni Senior Rail Tours (800/962-0060); Senior Escorted Tours (800/222-1254); and Trans-National Travel (800/225-7678);

One additional resource is especially helpful. Super senior writer/publishers Adele and Gene Mallott publish The Mature Traveler newsletter. It's full of information and specific offers. Call them at 702/786-7419 or write P.O. Box 50820, Reno, NV 89513. A subscription is $29.95, while a random sample issue is just $2.00.

There is definitely a room at the inn...and you can probably get it at a discount!!