Close-to-Home Getaways from $99/nt

Hotels across the US put a fun spin on domestic summer travel

By ShermansTravel Staff

July 23, 2008 10:12 am EDT

Book By: ASAP

Travel By: Various through September 2008

With a shaky economy, hefty gas prices, and mounting airline fees, the traditional summer vacation model is undergoing a slight modification this year. Instead of cross-country road trips or extensive air travel, many of us are opting for "staycations" instead  – aka vacations that don't take us far from home. To help take the guesswork out of where to go on your time off, we've picked a sampling of economical but recreational hotel specials from around the country. But hurry – some expire as soon as August 31!

CoCo Keys in Omaha from $209
For just a little more than the round-trip cost of checking four bags, CoCo Keys Water Resort in Omaha is offering families a bit of Florida without leaving Nebraska. The resort’s Staycation: A Close to Home Vacation package includes one night’s hotel accommodations; two days of swimming; pizza combo meals for four people; and two CoCo’s Kids Activity Packs. You’ll also get four one-day passes for a return trip in September. This particular package is available through August 31. Similar offers are available at other CoCo Key Water Resort locations (from $219 in Rockford, IL; and from $239 in other cities, including Kansas City and Columbus).

Georgia family adventure from $378
Live in the Atlanta area? How about a two-night getaway for four at Stone Mountain Park? The Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, located within the 3,200-acre grounds of this Georgia favorite, has such a deal starting at $378. In addition to lodging at the hotel, the Stone Mountain Staycation package covers daily breakfast for four and two-day Adventure Passes to Stone Mountain Park. Alternately, a one-night package is also available from $259. The prices for just two people run from $239. Aside from the park’s attractions, guests can relax at the lakeside resort’s indoor and outdoor pools, spa, and golf courses. The promo is valid through September 26.

Three days in Charleston from $420
For residents within a few hours drive of Charleston, South Carolina, this package is for you. The historic Mills House Hotel, located in downtown Charleston, is offering a One Tank to Charleston package starting at $420. It includes accommodations; free daily parking; in-room high-speed internet; and four tickets to one of four museum homes within walking distance of the hotel. An additional bonus: children under 16 eat free. Adding a fourth day bumps the price to $560, but a $50 American Express Gift Card is thrown in as well. The package is available through September 4, from Sunday to Thursday only.

Adult camp at W Hotels from $169
Kids heading to camp? After dropping them off, we suggest you pack for an overnight of your own. W Hotels are offering an adult camp-themed retreat in 18 locations across the U.S. and Canada from $169/night. The Sleepaway Camp package includes two Bug Juice cocktails upon arrival; an in-room movie and sangria or champagne-flavored Wine Cellar Sorbet; as well as daily breakfast for two. Guests get to choose their pillow from the hotel’s Sweet Dreams Pillow Menu. Plus there’s a late checkout, at 3pm. The promo runs until September 1. Starting nightly room rates vary city to city (from $169 in the property’s Atlanta Perimeter and Silicon Valley locations; from $199 at W New Orleans French Quarter; from $269 W Chicago Lakeshore; and from $439 for W Union Square in New York).

For Coco Key Water Resort package, go to www.cocokeywaterresort.com or call 1-402-393-3950 and use promo code IKHD1.

For the Stone Mountain package, check out www.marriott.com or call 1-800-834-7015 and use promo code THM.

For the Charleston promo, see www.millshouse.com or call 1-800-874-9600.

For the W Sneakaway Sleepaway, visit www.whotels.com or call 1-877-822-0000.