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Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation—Free Meals

If you are like me you don’t need a financial “expert” to tell you that the economy is in crisis and that your household’s budget is taking a direct hit as a result. For some families the thought of spending money on a vacation this summer is simply out of the question. However, in my continuing series on ways to save on summer travel I have been providing tips on how you can take advantage of travel deals designed to preserve your annual family tradition. Today, I’m turning the spotlight on free food. If the words “Kids Eat Free” makes you smile then you will be happy to see how many lodgings around the country are making it easier for families with children to save on meals.

HOLIDAY INN

The popular discount chain was the first to offer the now famous “Kids Eat Free” promo back in 1993. These days kids 12 and under still eat free at nearly 900 Holiday Inn properties throughout North America.

HYATT

I just got back from a family trip to Hawaii and was able to take advantage of an incredible money-saving promotion being offered by Hyatt Regency Resort properties in the “Aloha State.” From now until the end of summer Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is offering a “Kids Eat Free” deal that allows kids 12 and under to eat free at the resort’s restaurants provided they order off the Johnny Venture menu. Meanwhile, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa has a “Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free” offer where kids 12 and under eat free and get one free shave ice (it’s like a sno-cone only better) at Hyatt on the Beach.

MARRIOTT

The Marriott hotel chain includes Courtyard, Residence Inn, Renaissance, and Marriott Resort. Each property, including the extremely popular and always booked Orlando World Center Marriott, is offering the “Escape! Family package,” which provides kids 12 and under with free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The deal also includes a free pizza party, which features in-room movie rental, pizza, and beverages.

STARWOOD

Starwood Hotels & Resorts just unveiled a new “Love Your Family” program at 29 of its most popular properties, including some Sheraton, Le Meridien, and Westin lodgings in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Canada, and the Caribbean. This particular program allows kids 5 and under to eat free off the children’s menu, while kids 6 to 12 eat for half price from the regular menu. Other perks include a daily $100 resort credit, and a souvenir cup that’s refillable with unlimited soft drinks, juices, and milk.

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This entry was posted in Adventure Travel and tagged , , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.