These days, prices from Halifax to Western Canada rarely seem to dip too much below $700 roundtrip after taxes, especially for summer travel.
However there seems to be a few freak fares in late June and early July in the Air Canada system that are going for nearly 40% less. True discounts (not the marketing nonsense from Westjet/AC/Porter) on flights within Canada are extremely rare so I get pretty excited when I see them.
Planning your summer vacation? If you're finding that room rates seem to be a bit higher this year compared to last year, you're right. Hotels rates have spiked making the task of finding an affordable place to stay much harder than before.
With the summer right around the corner, Pat Foran checks in on the best hotel deals around.
Looking for more tips? Here's how to snag a hotel upgrade for free
by Natalie Taylor
Free. In the travel world, this word is especially important with the rising costs of vacations. We all want it and hotel marketers have tapped into that. I asked some inside sources --those who used to work at front desks and in-the-know travellers who can navigate their way around a loyalty program-- for their best tips to get that corner suite and more.
1. Ask! You never know if you don’t ask at the very least. My one source who is a frequent traveler says, “ A larger room. A suite. A corner room. A higher floor. A better view. What matters to you? What would make your stay better or more comfortable? If the hotel isn't near capacity it costs them very little to make you happy” My other source who used to work at a front desk tells me to mention that you'd be happy to reference the front desk name assisting you or write a letter to General Manager that they've been very helpful. “Hotels like to get great feedback from their guests after they checkout.” My source also says, “Be nice, act nice, look nice and be patient when asking for the upgrade -you can wait for the best room later.” That little bit of effort does go a long way.
2. Join the hotel's or chain's loyalty program. My sources say this is the one guaranteed way to get that upgrade. Hotels like it when you show your loyalty, so make sure to compliment the hotel and what you liked about the hotel at your last stay. Chances are better to get an upgrade if they believe you're likely (or are likely to become) a repeat customer. Also mention that you are a repeat guest.
My one source who travels very frequently has said that his favourite hotel loyalty program is Starwood’s Preferred guest Program. (Starwood is the parent company of Sheraton, Le Meridian, Westin, W Hotels, and St. Regis among others). You can accumulate free nights and to access, typically, you need to stay three times. My source likes the program because of Cross-hotel points accumulation and redemption and upgrades at gold status. SPG is also the first hotel loyalty program to allow you to redeem points for airline tickets on hundreds of airlines - with no blackout dates.
On March 1, SPG will be rewarding their very best members with SPG® Lifetime Gold or SPG Lifetime Platinum status. The promotion is: No more counting stays, no more qualifying. Just the privileges of Gold or Platinum status every time you stay with the hotel — for as long as you stay with the hotel and maintain active membership status. It is already having its followers abuzz on Twitter.
3. The dollar handshake. Sad but true, this tip does work. If you’re in a city like Las Vegas, for example, slip a twenty or two with your passport to the front desk and you could get a very nice room in return. It could be worth the risk!
4. Note if you’re staying for one night. My source who used to be a front desk agent has said that he will usually upgrade rooms that are staying for one night as opposed to a few nights because the loss on room revenue is not as great. This could be especially advantageous if you are celebrating a special occasion.
5. Speak up about your special occasion. Hotels love to put the extra touches for those who are having a special celebration. At the very least, you will get a bottle of wine or champagne (if the hotel is a decent hotel). If you do have a special occasion, contact the hotel well in advance (i.e. a few months) before your arrival. At this point, the front desk will note this in their comments for your stay. I would double check a week or two ahead to make sure the hotel is aware of your celebration and why you are visiting.
6. Notice the details. If there was something off with your stay or your room, mention it. I cannot promise that this will guarantee an upgrade and won’t promote this tip to specifically get one, but it can help. My sources say that you could get an upgrade with no additional fee, an amenity or a free breakfast.
My one source said that he complained about the lack of hot water to the Wynn in Las Vegas and as a result, he got a free weekend on his return visit. In the same vein, as per tip #1, if you had a great stay and there were added touches, like rose petals on the bed or a chocolate on your pillow, write the hotel manager or front desk this feedback. Keeping you on the hotel’s radar will make them remember you and if someone remembers you, they’ll be more likely to help you.
7. Book in Low Season. If you are visiting in low season, you may be in luck. Usually, in the months of January or February when there are not as many events happening, the hotel may have the inventory to upgrade you to a nice room be it a suite or a nice view.
8. Be aware of where you’re booking. If you’re booking in a major city, like Las Vegas or New York, you are more likely to get an upgrade than at a resort in the Caribbean where rooms are sold as a package deal.
9. Free Press. Are you a Trip Advisor junkie? Avid Yelp user? Or have a built up travel blog or blog on a particular city? Offer to give them a good review on Trip Advisor or on your blog. Good reviews via crowd sourcing are becoming an important area of concern for hotels/resorts. They want their guests leaving happy and sharing their positive experiences. But keep your word, be objective and back up your word by writing well and with good photography. This could work in your favour.
10. Note your timing. Another source of mine who checks into hotels frequently says that he notices that whenever he checks into a hotel late--usually after 8 p.m.--- he gets upgraded about 75% of the time. Most customers have to check in for about 3 p.m. so the hotel will most likely have a better idea of their inventory (especially if there are cancellations) after the fact and because they want to sell the room.
Celebrity chefs are a hot commodity and airlines are noticing, so much so, that they're hiring them to revive their menus - and reputations. British Airlines is the most recent airline that has made a partnership with gastronomic genius, Heston Blumenthal (of famed restaurant Fat Duck) to create sky-high tasty delights like "Rillette of mackerel dressed on a pickled cucumber carpaccio with sour dough croutes." Airport dining is getting an upgrade, too. Toronto's most noted chefs from Mark McEwan (Bymark, One, North 44) to Rocco Agostino (Pizzeria Libretto, Enoteca Sociale) are bringing their flavours to the Toronto Pearson International Airport, transforming the dining landscape in the summer of 2013.
That said, airlines have a long way to go. As Heather Poole, a long-time flight attendant, who has penned her experiences up in the air in her book, Cruising Attitude, says: "Are you even allowed to use the word 'best' in the same sentence as 'airplane food?'" So I wanted to know from my favourite frequent fliers --those who have crossed continents and been on a red-eye more than they have in their own beds--what their best meal on a plane was in the dire landscape of in-flight dining. Here's are a few of their favourite airlines and what they had to say:
Summer has sprung! Across the country, temperatures are warming up and our collective, eager sense of anticipation is dang-near palpable these days. Summer is on our doorstep and that means tons of untapped potential adventures in store for the coming months. What'll it be this year? If you're looking to explore a bit more of our country's great outdoors, your best bet is to do it on foot. There are seemingly endless stretches of walking and hiking trails from coast to coast to coast, all of them offering up something a little different. If the time has come to strap on your hiking boots and explore on foot, here are some of the best hiking trails this country has to offer — from west to east.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the cheapest roundtrip flight ever found between Vancouver and Paris. And it's in June too.
From cupcake ATM’s to vampire-themed restaurants, we’ve put together a list of some of the quirkiest food establishments in the world.
Beverly Hills, California
Sprinkles Cupcakes bakery in Beverly Hills, one of the first cupcake bakeries in the city, recently launched into foodie fandom with its cupcake ATM machine. Located on South Santa Monica Blvd., the machine offers cupcakes at $3.50 per cupcake, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for when you really need a cupcake. The cupcakes aren’t made inside the ATM, but taken from a stock of cupcakes made that day.
Taipei, Taiwan
It’s a bit of a rage in Asia but can you stomach it? Modern Toilet restaurant, located in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan offers diners the unique experience of a toilet-themed restaurant. Seats are made from toilets, the walls are covered with bathroom décor like showerheads and plungers and yes, you even eat out of a toilet.
As social media has become the new source of vacation planning, the myriad of choices can be difficult for the modern traveler when he or she decides where to stay in style. I asked my favourite travel bloggers and writers-- those who have been across continents in search of great value without sacrificing good taste--about their favourite luxury for less destinations and hotels (under $200). Read below for their fabulous finds.
Feature Photo: The Colony Palms Hotel, Palm Springs. Credit: Jen Pollack Bianco
New travel website and your “concierge to Canada,” Vacay.ca, recently announced its inaugural list of the Top 50 Restaurants in Canada, inspired by similar lists like San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna’s World’s 50 Best.
With the aim of celebrating Canada as a culinary destination, here’s a quick review of Vacay.ca’s top restaurants in Canada and where you can find them.
Vancouver, BC
The number one restaurant in Canada according to Vacay.ca is Vij’s, known for its contemporary Indian cuisine. Also in Vancouver, L’Abbatoir at #7, the newly renovated Hotel Georgia’s Hawksworth restaurant at #21 and Ensemble at #23 featuring chef Dale MacKay from Top Chef Canada fame.
Toronto, ON
Coming in at #2 is Langdon Hall, just 1.5 hours from Toronto in Cambridge and offers local-centric tasting menus by chef Jonathan Gushue. Stay the night in the cozy country manor and be sure to visit the spa.
There's a certain allure to just up and heading out on an adventure with no fixed plans, but few of us can actually pull it off. For those of us who like to nail down even just the skeleton of a plan before we leave, that's becoming less of a pain thanks to fancy new websites and apps that promise to do a lot of the trip-planning work for us. Whether you just want to keep track of all your trip details, get inspired, plot your itinerary or meet new travel buddies, there's plenty of online help to ensure a seamless and exciting adventure. Here are some of the best places to start.
