Cash in on post-holiday travel deals
Here it comes: the post-holiday surge.
In this treasured tradition, the travel industry trots out as many temptations as you can tolerate. (Isn’t alliteration fun?)
Let’s survey a sampling of the specials:
1. Portland’s newest downtown hotel is marking its debut with rates starting at $199 through March 1.
Billing itself as “The Height of Luxury,” the Nines sits atop the Meier & Frank Building, acting as “a contemporary homage to the structure’s storied past.”
(I’ll be honest with you: I’ve never heard a Meier & Frank story. I have listened to some Frank Sinatra, but that’s about it.)
The Nines’ celebration of itself continues with an “Exclusive Grand Opening Offer” available until May 3. You’ll get valet parking and rates from $249.
What’s more, “Each of the luxurious guestrooms is home to a contemporary art collection by local Portland artists.”
Get further detail at www.thenines.com or (877) 229-9995.
2. The “Cabin Fever” package at the Hotel Bellwether lures you to Bellingham with hot chocolate or hot spiced wine for two, brought to you by the “Comfort Concierge.”
Your personal gofer also delivers blankets, board games and DVDs. You won’t have to start a fire in your fireplace, either.
The Bellwether has a point. Flipping that switch is a real chore – especially at around $179 a night (based on double occupancy).
Kick it up a notch to $255 and Bellwether will add two lift tickets to Mount Baker, 45 minutes away.
Take your questions to www.hotelbellwether.com or (877) 411-1200.
3. Skamania Lodge, some 45 miles east of Portland, has a jump on the whole wine and roses deal with its monthlong observation of Valentine’s Day.
Choose from among four packages: Ultimate Romance, the Romantic Bed and Breakfast, Date Night and the Relaxation Retreat for Two.
Ultimate Romance includes accommodations for two in a River View room, a $70 credit for dinner in the Cascade Room, chocolate-covered strawberries, your choice of champagne or cider, and $180 toward spa treatments in the Waterleaf Spa. That’ll cost you $529 per couple and up.
Starting at $217 per couple, Romance Bed and Breakfast puts you in view of the forest with some chocolate and one rose, plus a $30 certificate for breakfast.
Date Night loads you up with $66 toward dinner, popcorn, sodas and a movie in your room starting at $232 per couple.
Finally, you can relax looking at the forest and 50 minutes lying through a massage for two. While you’re in the spa give the saline mineral swimming pool a try.
I can’t guarantee you’ll still feel at ease when your $384-plus bill comes, but that’s on you.
Read all about it at www.Skamania.com or call (800) 221-7117.
4. Finally, in Woodinville, Wash., Willows Lodge’s “Mental Health Mondays” gives you more to do than watch “60 Minutes” on Sunday night.
The special $169 rate comes with late checkout, continental breakfast for two, a 15 percent spa discount and a list of excuses for missing work.
Check www.willowslodge.com or (877) 424-3930 to learn more.
Regional events
•Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Feb. 13-22, Missoula. Organizers expect some 100,000 people to watch more than 100 films from around the world – on Montana’s largest movie screen. ( www.visitmt.com/406-541-3456)
•Eagle Festival, Feb. 7, Arlington, Wash. You’ll take tours, and see displays and actual eagles in person (in bird?). ( www.snohomish.org/ 360-403-3448)