Hotels.com has great offers this week!
Right now, Hotels.com is offering 9% off on bookings with the coupon SUMMERFUN9 in both the US and Canada.
Also, Hotels.com is celebrating Labor Day in the US and Labour Day in Canada with savings up to 30%.
Save an extra 9% at Hotels.com Canada with code SUMMERFUN9! Book by 9/8, Travel by 11/30
We are big fans of Parksville, BC in the summer. Very family friendly and incredible resources for the whole family.
We had a chance last weekend to attend the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting.
The gated exhibition opened on July 13th and will remain open until Sunday, August 18th, from 9am to 9pm daily. Voting for the ever popular “People’s Choice Award” begins after judging has been completed. Judging takes place on Sunday from 3pm to 5 pm and the winners are announced Sunday at approximately 5:30 pm.
The community voted and the winning sculpting theme for 2013 is Fairy Tales.
All of the solo and double sculptors will have to create something to do with Fairy Tales.
Here are some of our favourites:
This is one of our favourite activities to do – doesn’t cost much and you get to see some incredible work.
Entry to the exhibition is by a suggested donation of $2.50 per person. Proceeds from your donation support several local non-profit organizations with over $40,000 per year being donated back to these volunteer community groups.
Enjoy!
WIFI on a flight is great – you can do a tweet or share your favourite Facebook photo or even tweet a photo of your meal.
However, if the airline you are flying with does not have WIFI or if it is too expensive but still need to work, I have some ideas:
This is a free Chrome Plugin. It syncs with your Gmail inbox, and you will be able to get your messages.
I find it frustrating when the flight I am on down not have outlets (more are coming). This is why I love to fly Air Canada on their newer planes (not Jazz planes).
The iCarrier with 5V@2A/ 1A outputs is capable of charging a tablet (2A) and Smartphone (1A) at the same time.
If you have a notebook, look at the products from Hypershop.
Put articles, videos or pretty much anything into Pocket. Save directly from your browser or from apps like Twitter, Flipboard, Pulse and Zite. If it’s in Pocket, it’s on your phone, tablet or computer. You don’t even need an Internet connection.
What other apps or devices do you use for travel that help you work?
Before I had my poor experience at the Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway I had an incredible experience at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui. Usually, near the end of a holiday part of me is looking forward to getting back home but not this trip. We spent five nights at this resort and it was incredible (rooms usually go for above $400 to $500 a night).
The resort had this fun pirates ship that I took my 15 month old daughter (at the time).
We went down that slide so many times and she loved hanging out with the other kids and the water.
Next to the pirate’s pool (shared by the north and south villa), was a nice little playground for the kids.
We stayed in a Ocean View Studio Villa room that was spacious for the three of us. It had a separate lounge and an enclosed bathroom that made the room feel very spacious.
Our room including a breakfast bar, full-sized kitchen appliances, flat-screen TV, DVD player, and a Bose® AM/FM Wave® radio. The tv was high-quality and had high-definition signals.
The resort was so clean and perfect. The Ka’anapali beach was walking distance in front of us and we enjoyed the easy access (also had plenty of showers to clean off the sand before entering the resort).
The beach was close enough so that when we wanted to bring her inside for a nap it was really easy to.
What makes this particular resort stand out for us was the large pool (always lots of room) and the amenities like the big water wheel!
Another bonus for staying here are the large koi ponds
We had an incredible time and would love to return to this amazing resort (I could not find any issues with the resort except one major thing my wife noticed). Starwood is really eco-conscious and provides recycling containers in each room but we noticed the maid simply throwing everything into the garbage.
One of the benefits of staying at any of the Starwood properties in Ka’anapali is the use of the free shuttle.
Guests of The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Westin Maui Resort and Spa and Sheraton Maui Resort now have access to a complimentary shuttle that will travel between Ka’anapali and three locations in Lahaina. All guests will be asked to show their room key prior to boarding the shuttle, whose stops include the Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina Gateway Mall, and Hilo Hattie’s! You don’t really need a car once you get there because the car takes you into town to get groceries and you can pick up supplies.
If you have a flight with Air Canada scheduled before October 6, 2013, register and you will earn 500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles on any fare, every time you take-off or land at these eligible Canadian airports:
Offer ends September 2, 2013.
Thanks to Thrifty Foods to being an Aeroplan partner.
It is an easy way to keep your miles from expiring (have to make at least one transaction every 12 months).
In their latest flyer, they have a deal for Quaker Chewy Bars or Dipps, Assorted, 156-187g, 5 for $10.
However, you earn 1000 Bonus Club Thrifty Foods Points When You Buy 5. (Limit of ten boxes).
This is a great opportunity to purchase a number of boxes to donate to shelters or other charities for easy Aeroplan miles.
Remember 2,000 Club Thrifty miles ($20 of Quaker Chewy Bars or Dipps) = 1,000 Aeroplan miles (Good for a top up).
I recently had the chance to stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway (located in the suburbs in Langford, BC).
Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway is located well outside the core of Victoria off of the Trans Canada Highway, with shopping and recreation nearby.
According to the website, they claim it takes 10 minutes to downtown Victoria (even if you hit all traffic lights this is not possible from Langford, BC).
Using Google Maps, I get a distance of 14 km and a time estimate of 15 – 23 minutes.
The area (Langford) only has two hotels (both owner by Starwood). The other is a Westin that is more expensive (and charges a resort fee of $15 daily).
The hotel has 117 comfortable, contemporary guest rooms have nice features like a 42” flat screen TV and free High Speed Internet Access.
[styled_box title=”Disclosure Statement” color=”black”]I booked my hotel room using Expedia and am an SPG Preferred Plus member. [/styled_box]
We stayed in a connecting room with a nice king-sized bed (although we were booked into a room with two queen sized beds).
The bathroom was very clean and sparkled (I was impressed with the brightness).
Our room did not have a bathtub (which was OK).
They had a nice sitting area in our room and had good local literature (business magazine).
We had access to a coffee machine and teas (although the hotel has coffee and many more teas in the lobby). One part I didn’t like is the bottled water (since Starwood is all about cutting down on waste). I like the gesture but this doesn’t do anything for me (I refuse to buy bottled water because of the waste involved).
We had a nice 42″ tv in our room but I was disappointed with the quality. At our last Westin stay we had a high definition signal for the channels and if a hotel tv doesn’t have that (where available) it shouldn’t bother with a fancy new tv!
The Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway had a nice pool and hot tub (steam and sauna were also available). The pool area was starting to show wear and tear but it was a nice area to swim in (long hours available as well).
As part of my rate I was entitled to a free breakfast (which can make or break a property for me). We received a continental breakfast that consisted of:
That was it! It was the most disappointing breakfast served at a Starwood property ever.
Sheraton should improve on this breakfast because this was unappetizing and inedible (we ended up eating elsewhere).
I suggest saving your money and dining elsewhere in Langford or Victoria (I am sure this pub must have decent food but do not go for breakfast)!
Air Miles Canada has a back to school promotion where if you spend over $50 at their merchants you will receive 100 bonus Air Miles (worth $10.50 or use towards travel).
You will also earn 15 x the regular Air Miles (usually 1 Air Miles per $20 transaction excluding shipping, handling and taxes.
All online stores are subject to change and may be withdrawn without notice at any time. Collector must sign in at airmilesshops.ca before purchasing in order to earn reward miles. Reward miles will appear in your Collector Account within 75 days.
I personally buy a gift card where I earn the bonus miles and then use the gift card for either gifts or Christmas shopping.
Here is a link to the landing page.
WestJet.com and AirCanada.com have released their fall sales (must be booked by August 7, 2013).
Use promotional code SURPRISE15
Save an extra 15%* for travel within Canada
Promo code: WJC71
Coupon code: 2CCSYWP
Book by: August 7, 2013 (9:59 p.m. MT)
Travel from: September 3, 2013 to February 12, 2014
Blackout dates from: December 17, 2013 to January 5, 2014
How to get this offer: To redeem this offer, bookings must be made on westjet.com. Both the promo code and coupon code are required at time of booking on the first page of the booking process. Percentage is applied to base fare excluding taxes, fees and charges. Discount can only be applied towards fares displayed in the Econo and Flex category.
As a Victoria resident, I am blessed to live close to this amazing property with such a large history attached to it.
Have you heard of The Friends of The Empress?
It is a program open to all residents of British Columbia and members will receive a Friends of the Empress membership card by mail, to receive the exclusive offers. Check back often for updates, new partners and special offers.
Here are some of the discounts you receive during your stay (or outside of your stay with their partners):
20% Off Fairmont Empress Dining including:
*Based on regular menu prices. Discount not valid on major holidays or Friday & Saturday evenings in The Bengal Lounge.
10% off retail at our Willow Stream Spa
15% off any treatment at our Willow Stream Spa, Sundays -Thursdays
10% off our Best Available Rates at The Fairmont Empress when booked online.
15% off merchandise in The Fairmont Store, located across from our Tea Lobby entrance
10% off in Tasar’s Jewellery & fashion boutiques located in The Fairmont Empress
*Discount does not apply on sale items, tobacco or sundries
10% off Best Available Rates at The Fairmont Waterfront, when booked online
20% off regular menu in Herons West Coast Kitchen + Bar
Five Star Whale Watching – 38% off whale watching tours
LA Limousine Victoria – 10% off rentals of 2 hours or longer
Victoria Carriage Tours – 15% off 30 minutes or longer carriage tours. Advanced reservation required, (not valid on holidays).
Harbour Air and Westcoast Air – Receive 20% discount on regular fares for confirmed travel on any scheduled services. Conditions apply**
Flowers on Top – 10% off flowers, official supplier to The Fairmont Empress.
Walkabout Historical Tours – 20% off on Historical tours of The Fairmont Empress
Studio 4 Athletics – 20% off regular priced services at Studio 4 Athletics.
Olympic View Golf Club – 20% discount on clothing and merchandise, (soft goods), from the onsite Golf Shop***
The Royal BC Museum – 20% off daily admission or annual memberships for up to 4 people.
[button href=”http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/promotions/friends-of-the-empress/?emlid=edm_emp_EMPNewsletter&utm_source=edm&utm_medium=email&utm_content=emp&utm_campaign=EMPNewsletter” align=”left”]Join the Friends of the Empress Club[/button]