A trip to Nantucket doesn’t have to break the bank – Nantucket Island Resorts offers fantastic rates this spring and summer with their Hot Dates, Cool Rates. Think sun-filled days at the beach and evening clambakes on the dock!

Book a room with the Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion and receive a dinner credit ($25 on $100 spend, or $50 on $150 spend) and two $25 spa treatment credits.

The Hot Dates, Cool Rates offer for 2012:

• Jared Coffin House from $125 | Relax at this historic inn just steps away from Nantucket’s Main Street
• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin from $175 | Admire stunning views of the harbor and spend time with man’s best friend at the WOOF Cottages, the Cottages’ pet-friendly accommodations.
• White Elephant from $195 | Sip on delicious cocktails on the lawn overlooking the harbor, stroll the cobblestone streets and shop downtown.
• The Wauwinet from $225 | Retreat from the bustle of the town and take a trip to Great Point Lighthouse (located at the very tip of the island with no other soul in sight).
• White Elephant Hotel Residences from $350 | Enjoy all of the complimentary extras that the Residences offers, including access to the hotel’s private swimming pool (in season) and complimentary bicycles.

To book online, visit the website of the Nantucket Island Resorts property of your choice and enter the booking code HOV, or call 800.ISLANDS (800.475.2637) or 508.325.1000 and mention booking code HOV.

All scallops are not created equal, and Nantucket bay scallops’ sweet flavor and velvety texture has made these island natives a favorite among gourmands. Nantucket scallop season kicked off last month and is in full swing through the end of March. There has never been a better time to feast on the tiny delicacies as the icy waters of Nantucket Bay make them plumper and juicier.

Head to Nantucket this winter to taste the native seafood straight from the source.  When you aren’t getting your scallop fix, cozy up at the historic Jared Coffin House, warm up with a beer at Cisco Brewery, and browse the quaint shops on Main Street.

Can’t make it to the island? Baked, sautéed, or seared, there are so many delicious ways to prepare scallops at home. Try this tasty recipe from Chef Fred Bisaillon of the White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill.

Scallop and Ham, with Crisp Parma and Arugula (Serves 4 people)

Ingredients:

1 lb. Nantucket bay scallops
¼ tsp. kosher Salt
¼ tsp. fresh ground black Pepper
4 oz. Parma ham cut into 2” squares
1 lemon cut into 4 wedges
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
½ lb. baby arugula

Directions:

1. Season scallops with salt and pepper
2. Heat pan on med/high heat, add olive oil, then place scallops in the pan
3. Let scallops cook (without moving them) for 30-45 seconds
4. Add butter to pan, and turn off heat.
5. Move the scallops around the pan for another 15-20 seconds. They should be golden brown on one side, and butter should be brown but not burned.
6. Spoon scallops and warmed oil/butter over the Arugula, and place Parma ham in the same pan for 20-30 seconds until warm, then place on top of scallops.
7. Squeeze lemon wedges over the scallops

Nantucket Town is about as traditional New England as it gets – grey shingled buildings line the cobblestone streets, ice cream parlors and general stores flourish and there is not a traffic light in sight.  Add Victorian-appareled carolers, hot cider and cornbread, and Santa Claus parading down Main Street and it reads just like the pages out of a storybook.

Nantucket Island fetes the entire holiday season with Nantucket Noel, a month-long celebration organized by the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce. The highlight event is the Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend that takes place December 2-4, 2011.  Stores, shops, and restaurants open their doors for holidays shoppers, carolers sing favorite holiday tunes, and Santa Claus arrives via a Coast Guard Vessel.  This is an authentic experience not to be missed! (Especially for shoppers looking for the perfect present – almost everything on the island is on sale at this time to make way for new merchandise coming in for the following season.)

Several Nantucket Island Resorts properties are open for the Stroll Weekend, including the historic and centrally located Jared Coffin House, the iconic White Elephant, The Cottages and Lofts at the Boat Basin, and the luxurious White Elephant Hotel Residences.   These properties offer a variety of cozy accommodations for visitors to the island.

Enjoy the holidays stateside…

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Where: White Elephant and Jared Coffin House

What: A New England holiday

Why: Nantucket Island celebrates the season with Nantucket Noël, a month-long celebration that runs November 25–December 31. The highlight event is the Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend, December 2–4.  Stores, shops, and restaurants open their doors for shoppers (almost everything on the island is on sale!), carolers sing favorite holiday tunes, and Santa Claus arrives aboard a Coast Guard vessel. Steps from historic downtown, White Elephant is the perfect place to spend the weekend. For a longer stay, the Jared Coffin House is ideal. Open all season long and built in 1845, this historic hotel will have you feeling the spirit of the holidays.

When: White Elephant rates start at $195 per night from December 1–5. Jared Coffin House rates start at $155 per night during this special season.

Jump the pond…

Provence, France

Where: Hotel Crillon le Brave

What: A traditional French holiday experience

Why: Hidden in a tranquil town in France, Hotel Crillon le Brave is the perfect place to go for a peaceful escape. Festivities start on December 23 with a classical music concert in the local village church. On Christmas Eve, the hotel hosts an elaborate dinner that is sure to get guests into the Christmas spirit, who are also invited to celebrate the New Year with champagne in La Grange, the cozy bar, followed by a decadent dinner in the restaurant by a roaring log fire.

When: Holiday rates start at $329 dollars per night from December 23–January 2.

Salisbury and Canterbury, U.K.

Where: Onboard Orient-Express British Pullman

What: Festive seasonal journeys that rival the magical Polar Express (and you don’t have to go as far as the North Pole!)

Why: Hop on the British Pullman and enjoy the caroling in Canterbury or Salisbury’s world famous cathedrals. Following the concerts, guests are welcome to roam freely through the festive cities. With each excursion, they can look forward to a delectable brunch served with a Bellini on the outward journey and a four-course meal with wine and champagne on the way home. To make the trip even more unforgettable, upon return to London, guests visiting Salisbury may choose to stay overnight at The Goring, a luxurious hotel adjacent to Buckingham Palace, where Kate Middleton spent her last night as a commoner.

When: Rates begin at £350 ($550) per person and include brunch and a four-course dinner with champagne and wine. Dates for the Canterbury journey are December 6 and 13, 2011, and for the Salisbury journey, on December 15, 2011.

Paris, France

Where: Le Pavillon des Lettres

What: A cozy Parisian getaway

Why: The new Le Pavillon des Lettres is housed in a classic Haussman townhouse in the 8^th arrondissement. The hotel features 26 rooms – each devoted to a letter of the alphabet and an international writer corresponding to that letter. Shakespeare, Baudelaire and Rousseau are among the authors whose quotes are elegantly scrawled on the walls en Français. Settle down in the hotel’s library, next to the fireplace, and spend the holidays relaxing and reading while sipping a sumptuous cocktail from the honesty bar.

When: Rates start at £250 ($345) per night.

Farther still…

Marrakech, Morocco

Where: Royal Mansour Marrakech

What: A Rockin’ Moroccan New Years

Why: Spend the advent of a new year in utmost relaxation unwinding in a private riad, a Moroccan style house decorated with luxurious hand-done tile work and mosaic-covered courtyard floors. Visit Royal Mansour’s own traditional-style hammam, while the children are entertained at the exciting Kids Club, before a luxurious meal with menus created by three Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, or escape into the city of Marrakech for a bite while soaking in the unique rhythms of the centuries-old city.

When: Holiday rates start at $2,228 for a one-bedroom riad from December 15 to January 7.

As far as you can get…

Paro Valley, Bhutan

Where: Uma Paro

What: Ten days of exploration in this culture-rich Himalayan Kingdom

Why: With sweeping mountain views, there is no shortage of adventure at Uma Paro. Bring the whole family during Uma Paro’s 10-day holiday program and attend lectures on Buddhism, go for hikes in the Himalayas, watch an archery contest, or participate in candlelit yoga sessions. There will also be a special mask performance, a Bhutanese film night, and an evening of traditional music and dance. Children 12 and under who are sharing a villa with their parents stay free.

When: rates start at $330 until December 31, 2011.

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Thailand

Where: Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa and Rasananda Phangan Island Resort & Spa

What: Two island experiences for the price of one

Why: For anyone wanting to get away for a week of relaxation and exploration before the holiday season kicks into high gear, the “Two Island Experience” package from Anantara is a perfect fit. The six-night island hopping adventure begins with a three-night stay at Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa on beautiful Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, to be whisked away by speedboat to the more remote yet infamous island of the full moon parties, Koh Phangan, for an additional three-night stay at Rasananda Phangan Island Resort & Spa.

When: rates start at $578 through December 20 and include accommodations, daily breakfast, speedboat transfer, and roundtrip airport transfers.

Bali, Indonesia

Where: Uma Ubud and COMO Shambhala Estate

What: A Balinese escape for the mind, body, and soul

Why: The holidays can be exhausting, so treat the family to a well deserved break at Uma Ubud. This exotic retreat overlooking a valley is the perfect place to unwind and explore with its lush forests, sweeping rice paddies, and COMO Shambhala Retreat spa. Nearby in the town of Ubud is COMO Shambhala Estate, a secluded, residential health retreat with a focus on wellness and relaxation. The Discover COMO Shambhala program allows guests to design their own wellness experiences at the retreat and is the perfect way to decompress during this stressful season.

When: Holiday season rates start at $290 per night from December 20–January 6 at Uma Ubud, and the Discover COMO Shambhala program at COMO Shambhala Estate starts at $1,400 for three nights.

Uttarakhand, India

Where: Shakti Kumaon Village Experience and Shakti 360° Leti

What: A unique getaway that’s far off the beaten path

Why: Experience the culture and beauty of India this fall with Shakti’s Kumaon village walking experience followed by a stay at 360° Leti, the boutique hotel set at 8,000 feet elevation.

When: Season is from October 1 until April 30, 2012.

A four-day, three-night Shakti Kumaon village experience is $1,307 per person, based on two or three adults, and includes accommodations, food and beverage, activities, English-speaking guide and porters, car at disposal, and roundtrip transfer between Kathgodam train station or Pantnagar airport and village houses, and taxes. Rates for a three-night, four-day package at 360˚ Leti start at $1,916 per adult, based on two traveling on a twin/double share basis. Rates include accommodation in a private cottage, all food and beverage, activities, English-speaking guide and porters, car at disposal, roundtrip transfer between Shakti Kumaon village experience and Shakti 360˚ Leti, and all taxes.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Where: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa

What: An elephant adventure in Northern Thailand

Why: For anyone seeking an unforgettable holiday adventure with the whole family, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa’s Mahout Discovery package is just the ticket! Learn how to feed, bathe, and ride these gentle giants through the forest during a 3-day mahout training course. Perched on a lush hillside near the borders of Burma and Laos, the resort, so rich in culture, is a blissful escape for adults and children alike.

When: rates start at $342 per night based on double occupancy through December 31.

United Kingdom
Where: Orient-Express’s British Pullman
What: A murder mystery filled with tricks and treats at every turn!
Why: Halloween can be awfully spooky with ghosts out to play and witchcraft in the air. But when you add murder to the mix, all bets are off! Leave the trick-or-treaters at home for this thrilling and chilling journey aboard the Orient-Express’s day train, the British Pullman. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s famous novel Murder on the Orient Express, the Murder Mystery Lunch will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hop aboard and travel back to 1933 where love and intrigue set the mood. Piece together the clues during an exquisite five-course lunch, accompanied by a glass of champagne and a half-bottle of wine, as you watch the mystery unfold.
(This journey departs November 11, 2011, rates start at $460 per person)

Nantucket
Where: Jared Coffin House and the White Elephant
What: A supernatural encounter
Why: Nantucket is the perfect place to take the family for a Halloween escape! Every year kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at the shops and stores lining Main Street. Stay at the White Elephant, a family-friendly hotel located just a few blocks from the action. For a super spooky stay on Nantucket, the Jared Coffin House, built in 1845, is said to be haunted by the ghost of the whaling captain after whom the house is named. The ghost of Jared Coffin is rumored to appear in room 223, and guests of room 609 have claimed to see an apparition of a little girl. Other ghosts are also believed to roam the halls and rooms of this historic property, including the ghost of an old man who sometimes sits near fireplaces when a fire is roaring. Come see for yourself if the stories are true!

Paris
Where: La Reserve, Le Pavillon des Lettres, Pavillon de la Reine and Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
What: A haunting visit to the Catacombs of Paris
Why: For a chilling and historical Halloween experience, work up your courage and climb down into the Catacombs of Paris, where the bones of millions of people rest. Transferred from Parisian cemeteries in the late 18^th century, the remains line the walls of the underground labyrinth. Wander through at your own pace for an eerie peek into the past. After your tour, unwind at La Réserve, located in the ultra-chic 16^th arrondissment. If you love literature, stay at Le Pavillon des Lettres, the Didier Benderli-designed hotel located just steps from the Champs-Élysées. Its sister hotel, Pavillon de la Reine, is located on the beautiful Places des Vosges in the Marais, Paris’s Jewish quarter. Head over to the quintessential Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and sip mulled wine at Le Bar. No matter which hotel you choose, this is sure to be a Halloween you’ll never forget!

Guinot and ESPA
Where: at home!
What: A special Halloween face mask
Why: Even if you’re not planning on dressing up for Halloween and knocking on neighbors’ doors, you can still wear a mask! Try Guinot’s NEW Hydra Sensitive Face Mask to soothe and strengthen the skin after a week of munching on candy at every meal! Or, try ESPA’s NEW Skin Radiance Mask, made with pumpkin to enliven dull and tired skin. So, carve a pumpkin to make a spooky jack-o’-lantern for your front door and continue the pumpkin party with this radiant mask!

Santa Fe, New Mexico
Where: Inn on the Alameda
What: Diá de los Muertos and a few ghost sightings
Why: There’s nothing like a dark autumn night, a huge harvest moon, and a few ghouls to get your heart pounding. In Santa Fe, All Hallow’s Eve coincides with a Mexican celebration, Diá de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, when souls return to Earth and are greeted with feasts, music, and dancing. The spirits here are in full gear when Halloween comes around. Take advantage of the Inn on the Alameda’s 26^th Birthday rate that begins on October 30 and be on watch for La Llorona, the weeping woman who appears mysteriously, crying for her lost children, according to an old New Mexico legend. Perhaps you’ll bump into Julie Shuster Staab, the former lady of the manor who haunts La Posada, or Geronimo Lopez, who’s still hanging around his 18^th century home.

JetBlue is offering roundtrip flights New York (JFK)/Nantucket (ACK) for just $98 from now until October 10. Take advantage of this great deal and enjoy everything Nantucket has to offer in the fall – beautiful autumn weather, dwindling crowds, and amazingly low hotel rates at Nantucket Island Resorts! Schedule your trip around the Nantucket’s Cranberry Festival, October 7-9, for a chance to see the island’s famous Windswept Cranberry Bog, one of the few certified organic bogs in the county and open for just a short time in October when berries are harvested.  Indulge in delicious cranberry creations and enjoy the seasonal bog tours, hay rides, and sheep-shearing. Burn off those extra calories with a bike ride down the recently resurfaced 6.4 miles of bike paths, tee off on Nantucket’s top-notch Sankaty Head golf course, or simply wander the cobblestone streets lined with pre-Civil War architecture.  Not only is the airfare low, the rates at some of Nantucket’s most popular hotels are also reduced throughout the fall, making a Nantucket trip a no-brainer.

• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin from $175 | Enjoy the views of the harbor from the docks, where The Cottages are located on three wharves jutting out into Nantucket Harbor.
• White Elephant from $195 | Sip on delicious cocktails on the lawn overlooking the harbor (Lobster Bloody Mary, anyone?)
• The Wauwinet from $225 | Play a game of tennis, or engage in a cooking class with Chef Kyle Zachary in the kitchen of TOPPER’S restaurant.
• White Elephant Hotel Residences from $350 | Enjoy all of the complimentary extras that the Residences offers, including access to the hotel’s private swimming pool (in season) with daily fruit and ice cream service.
• Jared Coffin House from  $125 | Relax just steps away from Nantucket’s Main Street in this historic inn’s newly decorated guest rooms.  Additionally, guests of the Jared Coffin House receive 10 percent discount on brunch at the Brick Bistro, part of the Jared Coffin House.

After Labor Day we’ll be putting away all our summer whites but not so fast with those Nantucket Reds, they’re alright! While Nantucket conjures images of quintessential New England summers and those famed weathered-looking pants, we recommend donning the slacks this autumn and heading to the Grey Lady. Forget high season crowds, in the fall the masses have dispersed and the rates have dropped. If that alone is not reason enough, here are another 14 Reasons to visit Nantucket in the fall.

1.       Value

Fall rates at hotels on the island are greatly reduced in September, October, and November. For example, at the iconic White Elephant the lowest midweek July rate available is $550, while in September guests can stay overnight for as little as $375 with the Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion.

2.       Nantucket Restaurant Week , September 26-October 2, 2011

For a small island, Nantucket has a wide variety of renowned culinary establishments that include the new Brick Bistro, award-winning TOPPER’S, and the harborside Brant Point Grill, home to the Lobster Bloody. During restaurant week, three course dinners will be offered at these and other top Nantucket eateries from $25 – $45.

3.       Nantucket Historical Association’s Harvest Fair, October 2011

Celebrate fall harvest at the Old Mill and learn about Nantucket’s agricultural heritage, play lively colonial games, and make traditional crafts such as cornhusk dolls or beeswax candles.

4.       The Nantucket Project, September 30-October 2, 2011

Unlike crowded, impersonal meetings-of-the-minds like TED and the Aspen Institute, the first Nantucket Project will gather amazing speakers including Ed Crane, founder and President of the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, and Craig Ventor, biologist and entrepreneur best known for being among the first to sequence the human genome, for an intimate weekend of stimulating lectures and conversation held at the White Elephant.

5.       Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Cranberry Festival, October 8, 2011

Visit Nantucket’s famous cranberry bogs, generally closed to the public but open for a short time in October just when the berries are harvested. Partake in bog tours, hay rides, sheep-shearing, and, of course, fresh berries and delicious cranberry confections.

6.       Golf

Nantucket’s top-notch Sankaty Head Golf Club’s coveted ocean views and links-style holes are usually only available to members. In the off season (October-May), for a fee, anyone can tee off.

7.       Nantucket Slam, Cystic Fibrosis Benefit, September 11-13, 2011

This all-inclusive, two-day, competitive catch and release tournament is two days of competitive fishing for Bluefish, Bonito, Striped Bass, and Atlantic Bonito/False Albacore. To get a “Slam,” one must catch three of a designated species in the same day. All proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

8.       Scenic Hiking and Biking

Rent a bike and roll down the recently resurfaced 6.4 miles of bike paths of Nantucket and check out the beautiful fall foliage. Bike rentals typically cost around $30/day; complimentary bikes are available for guests of White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and The Wauwinet.

9.   Spooky Halloween at haunted Jared Coffin House

Every year kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at the shops and stores lining Main Street. Enjoy a super spooky stay on Nantucket at the Jared Coffin House, said to be haunted by the ghost of the successful 19th century ship-owner after whom the house was named. Other ghosts are rumored to roam the halls and rooms of this historic property – room rates start at $125 October 23-31.

10.   ACK Pink with Nantucket Island Resorts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2011

For the month of October, Nantucket Island Resorts will be donating $1 from every room night bought to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer charity.  In addition, guests booking a stay during the weekend of October 14-16 will have the opportunity to participate on the Nantucket Island Resorts-sponsored team during Nantucket’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 16. Nantucket Island Resorts has committed to a $1000 donation for the Breast Cancer Walk. Those who join the team will receive a complimentary team tee-shirt. Additionally, proceeds from themed cocktails and treats on offer at The Wauwinet, the White Elephant, the White Elephant Hotel Residences, and Jared Coffin House will be donated to the cause.

11.   Inexpensive Airfare

Think getting to Nantucket is difficult and pricey?  Phooey!  Fly Jet Blue direct from New York City to Nantucket starting at $69 this September.

12.   Romance

If you took the kids to Nantucket this summer, come back in the fall without the little ones and stay at the romantic Wauwinet (open until October 29).  The 32-room inn doesn’t allow children under 12, so there’s no chance of having a screaming baby just down the hall.  Rates at this luxury inn start at just $225 in October.

13.   Traditional New England Thanksgiving

Visit the state where the original Thanksgiving took place.  The White Elephant’s Brant Point Grill hosts a special Thanksgiving buffet with all the comfort foods you’d expect at your grandmother’s house without all the cooking and dirty dishes. Brave souls can participate in the 10^th Annual Turkey Plunge on Children’s Beach, where hundreds jump into cold Nantucket Harbor on Thanksgiving morning.

14.   Fall isn’t all… Come in December for Christmas Stroll! December 2-5, 2011

Nantucket Island celebrates the entire holiday season with Nantucket Noel, a month-long celebration organized by the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce that runs November 25-December 31. The highlight event is the Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend.  Stores, shops, and restaurants open their doors for holidays shoppers, carolers sing favorite holiday tunes, and Santa Claus arrives via a Coast Guard Vessel.  This is an authentic experience not to be missed! Several Nantucket Island Resorts properties are open for the Stroll Weekend, including the historic and centrally located Jared Coffin House, the iconic White Elephant, and the luxurious White Elephant Hotel Residences.   These properties offer a variety of cozy accommodations for visitors to the island.

NEAR

Nantucket Island Resorts

Nantucket, Massachusetts         

Nantucket Island Resorts, including Jared Coffin House (starting at $125), White Elephant (starting at $195), The Cottages & Lofts (starting at $200), and White Elephant Hotel Residences (starting at $350 for guestroom or $500 for residence)

Easter Happenings: Amazing rates at each of the properties over Easter Weekend – and a delicious brunch at the Brant Point Grill featuring Easter Basket Workshops and Egg Hunts!  

The Offer:  Spend a great family weekend on Nantucket with plenty of amusement for the little ones. The following will be happening at the White Elephant. For event and brunch reservations, please call 508.228.1320.  

• Saturday, April 23 – Easter Basket Workshop at 1 pm and 3 pm.  Reservations required; $5 per child; open to the public
• Sunday, April 24 – Easter Brunch with Raw Bar at Brant Point Grill – $42 adults; $21 children
• Sunday, April 24 – Easter Egg Hunts – 11 am and 2 pm with a special guest on the White Elephant Harborside Lawn

Subject to availability. Excludes room tax.

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C.

A tony Washington DC design and foodie favorite in the fashionable West End Georgetown neighborhood.

Easter Happenings: A three-course, buffet-style brunch from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Highlights include sunnyside eggs with cod cakes and spicy buttermilk sauce; roasted leg of lamb with rosemary jus and shallots; local rockfish with pea sauce and morels; and Belgian Liege waffle with Mountain Huckleberry Marmalade.

The Offer: $90 per person and $45 for children between six and 12; children under six years of age are welcome on a complimentary basis.

Park Hyatt Toronto

Toronto, Ontario

Set in fashionable Yorkville just across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum and five minutes from the theater and financial districts, Park Hyatt Toronto offers a contemporary city getaway, with 336 guestrooms and the award-winning Stillwater Spa.

Easter Happenings: Relax in comfort with Park Hyatt Toronto’s Awaken at The Park package: overnight accommodations and full breakfast for two in the acclaimed Annona Restaurant. Annona is also offering an Easter Brunch Prix Fixe and an Easter Dinner Prix Fixe.

The Offer: The Awaken package is available from Friday, April 22 until Monday, April 25 starting at $208. Three course brunch menu at Annona is $71 per person, while the three course dinner is $52 per person.

FAR

Pavillon de la Reine

Paris, France

This impossibly chic and charming hotel is located on the historic Place des Vosges in the Marais. Blooming with life in the spring season, the ivy-clad 54 bedroom Pavillon de la Reine was originally built in the 1600s as part of the Place Royale by King Henri IV.

Easter Happenings:  Guests are welcomed with a chocolate egg and bottle of champagne upon arrival. Following an egg painting session, kids will enjoy running throughout the private courtyard on the quest for chocolate eggs. The Easter weekend package also includes brunch for two.

The Offer: Superior rooms start at 390 euros per night, Junior or Duplex Suite start at €550 ($792 USD) per night.

Le Pavillon des Lettres

Paris, France

The new literature-inspired hotel offers 26 rooms – each devoted to a letter of the alphabet and an international author corresponding to that letter (think S for Shakespeare, V for Voltaire…)

Easter Happenings:  A chocolate egg, bottle of French white wine, and a book of the best places to eat chocolate will be waiting in your room upon arrival. Enjoy brunch for two on Easter morning in the Salon amongst the hotel’s literary greats!

The Offer: Deluxe rooms start at €360 ($518 USD) per night.

Hotel Crillon le Brave

Provence, France

The refined rustic Hotel Crillon le Brave is one of France’s most notable boutique hotels. Just 90 minutes North of Marseille, its consists of seven beautifully restored stone houses dating from the 16^th and 17^th centuries, which are linked by bridges, cobblestone walkways, and hidden courtyards.

Easter Happenings:  While the kids participate in entertaining French lessons, learn to make French desserts, and visit a local boulangerie and olive oil mill, parents can enjoy wine tastings and spa treatments. 

The Offer:  The Provençal Family adventure package is offered April 17-22 and April 25-29 and costs €2,290 ($3,297 USD) for a family of four.

Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow

Moscow, Russia

While “egg hunt in Russia” might inspire thoughts of “finally, a chance to find those missing eight Fabergé eggs,” Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow is offering an even sweeter deal. Built on the former site of Hotel Armenia, this  hotel combines classic Armenian and Russian design elements, and is located within immediate vicinity of Moscow’s most famous landmarks, including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kremlin, Red Square, and Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

Easter Happenings: Free chocolate eggs will be given to take home at Easter Sunday Brunch on April 24^th. Executive chef Guillaume Joly will be whipping up traditional Easter dishes like kulich, paskha, roasted leg of lamb, and much more at The Park Restaurant. For children, an egg hunt (yes, of the chocolate kind) will take place, with “sweet” prizes to be won.

The Offer: RUB 3,900 per person ($138 USD), including VAT and service charges.

Nantucket honors the trumpeted bloom with its annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival Weekend. From April 29-May 1, the island celebrates with activities such as the Window Decorating Contest, the Antique Car Parade, the Children’s Parade, and the Daffy Hat Pageant, all culminating in the Annual Tailgate Picnic. Also be sure to eat at Jared Coffin House’s new Brick Bistro – opening just in time for the festival weekend. 

In honor of the weekend, Nantucket Island Resorts has a special package available at the White Elephant,

The Cottages, and the Jared Coffin House.

Inclusions:

• Transportation to and from the Annual Daffodil Tailgate Picnic, with chairs and a blanket
• Prepared picnic from Brant Point Grill for two with a bottle of wine
• Two official butter yellow baseball caps with an embroidered Daffodil Festival logo

Rates (based on two-night stay)

• White Elephant: $500 per room
• The Cottages: $450 per room
• Jared Coffin House: $370 per room

For more information, please contact janet@alicemarshall.com, 211 861 4031.

Nantucket Island Resort’s Hot Dates, Cool Rates are back!  Guests who book Nantucket vacations by February 18 not only get their first choice of Hot Dates but also receive the lowest rate of the season with the Hot Dates, Cool Rates Guarantee.

Other benefits to booking early include a dinner credit ($25 on $100 spend, or $50 on $150 spend) and two $25 spa treatment credits.

The Hot Dates, Cool Rates for 2011:

• Jared Coffin House from $125 | Relax just steps away from Nantucket’s Main Street in this historic inn’s newly decorated guest rooms.
• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin from $175 | Enjoy the views of the harbor from the docks, where The Cottages are located on three wharves jutting out into Nantucket Harbor.  *Named Best Resort Location in the U.S.  on Condé  Nast Traveler’s 2011 Gold List*
• White Elephant from $195 | Sip on delicious cocktails on the lawn overlooking the harbor (Lobster Bloody Mary, anyone?)  *Voted #1 Resort in Massachusetts in Travel + Leisure’s 2011 World’s Best Awards*
• The Wauwinet from $225 | Play a game of tennis, take a boat ride on The Wauwinet Lady from late-June to mid-September, or engage in a cooking class with Chef Kyle Zachary in the kitchen of TOPPER’S restaurant.  *Named 3^rd Top U.S. Small Hotel in Condé  Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards*
• White Elephant Hotel Residences from $350 | Enjoy all of the complimentary extras that the Residences offers, including access to the hotel’s private swimming pool (in season) with daily fruit and ice cream service.

Nantucket Island Resorts also offers add-on packages at any of their hotels to make your Nantucket experience as unforgettable as possible – these include family, couple, babymoon, girlfriend, and golf packages, or more “Uniquely Nantucket” activities like scalloping, lobstering, and seal- or whale-watching.  Or choose to visit during one of Nantucket’s annual festivals including Daffodil Festival weekend (April 30-May 1), Wine Festival weekend (May 18-22), and the Nantucket Film Festival (June 22-26).

To book online, visit the website of the Nantucket Island Resorts property of your choice and enter the booking code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800.475.2637) or 508.325.1000 and mention booking code GTDLOW.