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Budget trip planning doesn’t have to be boring or ordinary thanks to Colorado’s Westin Westminster Water World. This summer they’re offering a Family Weekend package that’s great for the whole family. Water World is already one of the largest family water parks in America, and a top place for summer fun with over 45 different watery adventures ranging from things like speed slides to rides and attractions designed for very small children. And now with their Family Weekend package, tiny ones and thrill seekers alike can enjoy a budget-friendly weekend at the water park.

The Westin Westminster is a hotel with 369 rooms and a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains, located at 10600 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster, Colorado, between Denver and Boulder. It sits in the midst of a wonderful shopping district, top restaurants and the largest ice arena in the nation. The hotel is a dog-friendly place to stay with features like an outdoor spa, fitness center and indoor heated pool, so there’s plenty for families to enjoy just within the hotel. Pair that with the Water World in the Family Weekend package, and you’ve got an irresistible and affordable getaway.

The package includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets to Colorado’s Water World and lodging in one of the deluxe and newly remodeled guest rooms. Each night is $195, but with the second booked night you also receive four tickets that offer mini golf and electric go-kart fun at the Adventure Miniature Golf and Raceway.
Also included is a Westin Kids Club backpack given to families so that kids can enjoy the experience even more. The backpack contains a hat, a world map, a postcard for kids to color and colored pencils. Kids under age 2 also get their own special kit complete with a nightlight, rubber duckie, toiletries and covers for parents to put on the electric outlets in the room for safety.

Kids shouldn’t miss the Kids Summer Story Hour that’s held on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer at Westin Westminster. Kids are regaled by a story at 6 p.m. on those days starting Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day.

To take advantage of the Water World Family Weekend package at Colorado’s West Westminster, call 303.410.5000 for reservations or visit the website at westindenverboulder.com. The Family Weekend package is for Friday and Saturday nights only from now until August 31, 2009.

To go back to a simpler time, teens and adults can now experience what is was like to be a cowboy (or cowgirl) during the Wrangler Summer Camps at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch. These camps are designed to get kids (and adults) away from cell phones and video games for a while and let them have fun with horses, swimming and old-time ranch activities.

The children’s camps are limited to 10 children each to keep the camper to counselor ratio at 3:1. This will ensure that kids get lots of individual attention so that everyone will have a great experience

The Junior Wrangler Camp lasts 6 days and is offered from June 14th to June 19th for kids ages 12 and 13, and from June 21st to June 26th for kids ages 14 through 16. This camp experience will include camping, cookouts, swimming, hiking, fishing and tracking local animals. Each child will have one horse during the camp stay to take care of and learn horsemanship, and the final night includes and invitations for parents to come to a BBQ and a rodeo where the kids can demonstrate what they’ve learned. Parents can sleep over in the Main Lodge. The Price for Junior Wrangler Camp is $1,800 per child, which includes the parent’s night BBQ and lodging in the Main Lodge as well as all the meals, activities and lodging for the kids through the week.

The Junior Wrangler Mini Cap lasts 4 days and is offered June 28th to July 1st for kids ages 12 and 13, and July 12th to July 15th for kids ages 14 through 16. This camp will teach horse care and riding basics, as well as swimming, hiking, games, crafts, cookouts, ranch activities, and even a hayloft sleepover. The final night includes a BBQ and a horse skills demonstration for parents who can sleep over in the Main Lodge. The cost for the Junior Mini Wrangler Camp is $1,275 per child which includes the parent’s night BBQ and lodging as well as all lodging, meals and activities for kids over the 4 days.

For adults, the Big Kids Go Country Camp runs from September 6th to September 10th, and is the perfect getaway for grown-up cowboy and cowgirl wannabes. Adults get to spend the time as ranch hands during the day learning horsemanship and riding the trails of Devil’s Thumb Ranch and exploring the wilderness. Hiking, swimming, fly-fishing and other great activities are available, and Western fine-dining will be served nightly at the Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon. An awards ceremony tops off the experience. This is the ideal place for family reunions, corporate events and friend vacations for those who want to do something different than the ordinary. The cost for the Big Kids Go Country Camp is $2,100 per person, which includes lodging, meals and scheduled activities. Any alcohol or spa treatments are not included in the price.

About Devil’s Thumb

The Devil’s Thumb Ranch sits on 5,000 acres of wilderness 65 miles west of Denver, Colorado. The area known for winter sports, cowboy heritage, and is rich with Arapahoe and Ute Tribe Native American history and culture. The Ranch Creek Spa is a new addition to the area that features 52 rooms and world-class spa services.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch has been ranked by both Travel + Leisure Magazine and the International Conservancy as one of the top eco-friendly hotels worldwide. One of the reasons is no doubt the locally acquired meat and game that makes up 85% of the fare at places like the Heck’s Tavern and the Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon.

Reservations are required at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch, located at 3530 County Road 83, Tabernash, CO 80478. You can reach the Ranch by phone toll-free at 800-933-4339 or locally at 970-726-5632, or online at www.devilsthumbranch.com.

Brett Schoenfield brings over 25 years of hospitality industry experience to Vail Cascade Resort & Spa as the new general manager. His extensive experience in the industry includes opening the 406-room Palm Springs luxury Riviera Resort & Spa.

Additionally, he spent over 10 years operating the Homestead Resort and Spa. This historic property saw improved customer satisfaction during his tenure there, as well as high employee retention and property renovations that he initiated. Schoenfield also led several recreational activities and programs while at the Homestead Resort, and will bring that focus and commitment to associates, service and the community to the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa as its new GM.

Rachel Benedick has been announced the new sales and services VP for VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has filled that position twice since September of 2005 and now will serve as a permanent replacement for Doug Small, who last year was named President of the Grand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau. Benedick is a Michigan State University alumnus with a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado.

Richard Scharf, the President and CEO of VISIT DENVER, said that after a national search and discussions with many clients, they had the best person already on their staff in Rachel Benedick.

She has been with VISIT DENVER since 1998 and has recently served as the Associate Vice President of Convention Sales, as well as serving in the position she now holds from September of 2005 to June of the following year, and again September of 2008 to April of 2009. Benedick brought the Democratic National Convention to the area, and attracted other huge bookings from organizations like SnowSports Industries America. She has the distinction of being the top convention salesperson consecutively for the last 6 years, bringing in more than $800 million dollars in business.

Benedick helped to create the Denver Alliance, which is a joint effort between several Colorado organizations including Denver’s Division of Theaters and Arenas, Centerplate, the Hyatt Regency Denver, VISIT DENVER and the Colorado Convention Center manager. In 2007, Benedick was also given a top honor by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International.

VISIT DENVER is a non-profit Denver trade association that has been promoting and marketing Denver for over 100 years, and helping tourism become the second-largest industry in the city. This supports 65,000 jobs and generated almost $3 billion dollars in 2007 while increasing economic development and generating taxes to help the local area. You can call for more information about Denver toll-free at 800-2-DENVER or visit the website at VISITDENVER.com

For a fantastic vacation that feels like a luxury get away, but is priced like a budget outing, look to Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

Featuring many different packages, some starting as low as $159 dollars, visiting the newly renovated Sheraton Steamboat has never been a more attractive opportunity.

Whether you are traveling to enjoy a romantic get away, to enjoy the outdoors, or just relax, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort has everything you need for a memorable vacation.

For the winter months, enjoy the ski in/ski out conference center, and year round enjoy all the amenities in every room. The new guest rooms at the resort are complete with Sheraton Sweet Sleeper II bed, flat panel televisions, large business workplaces and gorgeous natural surroundings, like the stunning views of Mt. Werner.

The website at http://www.sheratonsteamboatresort.com/ is the place to find every bargain and luxury package the resort offers.

Swing In For Golf ‘Til You Drop

If golf is your game, Steamboat is your kind of town! The Golf ‘Til You Drop:” promotion gives you the ultimate in golf vacations. Here are the top features:

• Up to 36 holes of golf per person, per day – including the cart
• Use of the driving range for a day of play
• Daily complimentary breakfast
• Off season special rates: between June 4 and July1 and from Sept. 7 to October 17, rates begin at $339 per night.,
• If you stay between Sunday and Thursday from July 2 to Sept. 6, then the rates are $389 and up, and on Friday and Saturday nightts, the rate reaches $439.

To take advantage of this great package deal, use the code GOLFDROP.

Birth Year Pricing

Stay the first night for $109, then for subsequent nights, pay only the amount of your birth year! For example, if your birth year is 1948, you’ll pay $109 and up for the first night, then only $48 a night for subsequent nights!

This rate applies only from June 4 to December 31, 2009.

To get the rate, you’ll need to show a valid ID identifying your birth year at check in. there are only three nights allowed with this promotion.

Use the booking code NBR to get  your birth year rate.

Plan Ahead and Save
If you can plan ahead for at least 21 days, you can save 20 percent on your stay at Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

This promotion is only available if you have at least a three night consecutive stay, but you can arrive any day of the week.

Booking options for this rate, with prices starting at $189, are subject to availability.

Tomorrow is a Better Day: Save Half on the Second Night’s Stay!

For every night you enjoy at Sheraton Steamboat Resort, you’ll get 50 % off the next night.  The only requirement is that  you stay at least four nights – make each new day a better day by saving fifty percent.

To take advantage of this bargain rate, arrive anytime Sunday through Wednesday up until September 30.

These rates require prepayment and are not refundable. The 50 percent discount is from the non-restricted rates. As always, the fares are subject to availability.

Getaway For the Weekend at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort

This special package includes a complimentary, full American breakfast each day,  and late checkout of 4 p.m. so that you can enjoy every minute of your weekend getaway.

As usual, check for availability. Rates begin at $169.

Feel the Romance

Try the Sheraton Steamboat romance package to reconnect and unwind with your partner. Relax in the beautifully remodeled rooms as you enjoy these amenities that are included with your package:

Sparkling wine and chocolate (or fruit, if you prefer)
Breakfast for two at our restaurant each morning of  your stay.
If possible, a 4 p.m. checkout
An in-room movie on the house

Rate code SIROMPKG will get you this fantastic package starting at $239 each night.

Bring the Gang – Kids Eat Free
Bring on the fun, and bring on the laughs. Sheraton Steamboat welcomes the kids of all sizes as your family makes lasting memories together.

With the help of these great amenities, you’ll have a fun-filled weekend including: Free kids meals with the purchase of an adult entrée, a welcome to the Sheraton snack for the kids on their first night, and in-room movie, free!

As usual, reservations are subject to availability, and rates begin at $229.

Be Treated Like Royalty in the New Villas

The newly renovated Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas are as luxurious as a royal retreat. They have full kitchens with a separate dining area, private balconies for nighttime star gazing, and your choice of two or three bedrooms.

These special rates are effective through October 17, 2009.

A two bedroom villa is $359 per night, while a three bedroom is $459 per night. If you also want mountain views with your three bedroom villa, it will begin at $499 per night.

To get this score, use the Rate Code VILLAS.

If you’re looking for a getaway that features all kinds of fun at a reasonable price, then the Hotel Boulderado Downtown Excursion package will provide everything you’re looking for!

Enjoy a beautifully appointed suite or guest room, a $25 Downtown Boulder Gift Card that is honored at over 150 of Boulders restaurants, shops and service providers, and a $20 credit at Q’s Restaurant or the Corner Bar. Both dining establishments are located off the hotel lobby.

Book online or call Hotel Boulderado’s reservation line to reserve your getaway package. Rates vary based on the date of stay.

The hotel itself is a landmark in Boulder. It is situated just north of the Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall, an award-winning shopping area. The Boulderado is a notable fixture in the skyline in the city, and the Pearl Street Mall is becoming a landmark itself as well.

Visitors enjoy strolling the open-air, four block stretch that is lined with red brick. There are historic buildings housing galleries and microbreweries, quaint shops, great restaurants and serviceable offices. Sidewalk cafes provide a perfect place to relax and enjoy the signature tulips of Pearl Street.

The daily crowds enjoy entertainment from street performers such as Zip Code Man, Bongo the Balloon Man, and the local contortionist who folds his body into a small box.