Big Bird’s big deals at Beaches
Special program for single parents, plus Canadian getaways
It’s nice to know that a major resort chain so focused on family travel makes a special effort to welcome all types of families — and that includes the single-parent variety. Beaches Resorts’ “Single Parent Fun” months — that’s SPF for short — are back for another year, and once again the company has waived its single supplement fee for the duration of the promotion. If you’re a solo traveller, you know all about single supplement fees. Most resorts and cruise lines charge them, as a way to make up some of the revenue lost when just one guest stays in a room or cabin normally used by two guests. Beaches Resorts not only waives the fee during its SPF Months, it also offers special programming geared to single parents and their kids, from Kinect for Xbox 360R Family Game Night to Dive-in Movie Nights (complete with floating screen), to Family Beach Bonfires and Beach Olympics events. The four Beaches Resorts properties — three in Jamaica and one in Turks & Caicos — are also home to the Sesame Street gang, and host weekly Beaches Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street parades. This year’s SPF Months take place May 1 to 24 and again Sept. 4 to Oct. 31. Bookings must be made by Oct. 25 for a minimum three-night stay. See www.beaches.com.
MADE-IN-THE-GTA MARCH BREAK
The Westin Harbour Castle’s March Break program includes a long list of family-friendly activities for weekend stays, from movie nights by the heated indoor swimming pool on Friday and Saturday nights, to slither ’n’ slide encounters with reptiles in Reptilia-hosted presentations in the lobby. A full calendar of events is posted at www.westinharbourcastletoronto.com/ march-break. Special rates available March 9 to 18 start at $100 per night, plus children 5 and under eat free from the kids’ menu at the onsite Mizzen Restaurant when ordering with an adult. Visit the website or call 1-866-716-8101 (promo code MARCHBRK). Another local property, the Delta Chelsea Hotel, has in-room movie-and-pizza parties and activities including Bingo Bonanza, Family Fear Factor and Camp Chelsea. See www.deltachelsea.com.
SPRING BREAK ESCAPE AT HILTON MONTREAL
The Hilton Montreal Bonaven- ture has a Spring Break Escape package priced from $175 per room, per night, a savings of 20 per cent off the hotel’s lowest available rate. This deal is available for stays through April 13. Call 1-888-4226232 (promo code SPRING).
BEST BUY OF THE WEEK
Paul Gauguin Cruises’ Tahiti sale, applicable to select seven-night sailings this summer onboard the m/s Paul Gauguin to Tahiti and the Society Islands, offers savings of between $800 and $2,500 per person (all prices U.S.), along with free airfare from Los Angeles. Bookings must be made by March 10. See www.pgcruises.com. Kathryn Folliott is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Prices quoted are subject to change and availability.