40 - Sunday, February 2, 1992 — North Shore News

TRAVEL

Seattie’s Claremont offers great winter deal

’M NOT going to howl
**poverty” to you.

It’s fairly obvious that we can

afford to travel or we'd stay
home. However, I enjoy getting a
good deal just as much as the next
guy. We take a lot of long trips
but I enjoy an impromptu week-
end (usually extended a_ bit)
almost as much.
‘This week, I decided to be a
bargain shopper. And ! found
myself.on the track of a few in-
teresting: (looking) short-trip of-
ferings.

This first was a coupon in one
of the daily papers for a Seattle
hotel —- the Claremont. It's right
downtown at 2004 Fourth Ave., at
Virginia Street. I dialed 1-800-
448-8601 and got a cheerful gen-
tleman who was happy to take my

. Feservation.

The price is excellent.— $49
(CDN at par) per night, for a
suite with two double beds. We
live with a king bed and won’t
settle for less. The suite includes a
kitchea! -

That may sound strange, who
goes on a holiday to cook?.I do!
The hotel is just a short walk
from the Pike Place Market and
I’ve always wanted to bring some
of the. spectacular foods - right
home and cook. Our usual retreat,
the Inn At The Market, is lovely
but forget hauling in the groceries.

The cost of the Claremont is
roughly half of the cost of the
Inn. Have we found a great deal?
We're heading down this month
so Pl let you know. ~

The gentleman at the reserva-
© tion’ desk also promised me a
. foom witha view of the water,

which is another plus.

-. | The coupon is in Saturday’s

Sun and.you must have it to’ get
‘the special price. ~

. ‘Brian is a dedicated golfer, so
the next two packages investigated

7 ‘included golf as an option.

“Lake Okanagan Resort is just
-south of .Kelowna. It opens for

' the season on April 1 and is offer-
bookings for.

ing ‘‘early. ‘bird”’

“CRUISE NIGHT
co Featuring
Colonial America
plus Bermuda |

12 days on “Royal Odyssey
O¢ 28, from New York, to

er

a Washin ington, D.C. ...

: Willig wig, Virginio,
‘ Hamilton, Bermuda
Charleston, South Carolina

Savannch, Georgia

St. Thomas, Virgin islands

San Juon, Puerto Rico
You can save *1,250 to
52,000 per couple by
booking with Roseway
Join us ot 7:30 p.m. on

Wednesday.
February 12,1992

April and May at 25% off the
rack rate.

I’ve not seen this resort but a
call (1-800-663-3273) quoted me
$87.50 a night for a suite with
kitchen, This price also includes
unlimited golf and tennis. I was
told that they offer a pool, jacuz-
zi, horseback riding and bikes.

They cater to families.

To take advantage of the special
rate bookings must be made prior
to Feb. 29.

The Bayside Inn Resort in
Parksville is offering mid-week
specials for those who don’t have
to limit their travel to weekends.
If you arrive Sunday, you can
purchase a two-night package in-
cluding two breakfasts and one
“gourmet’’ dinner — I always
choke up a bit on that word! That
rate is $99 per person, double.
The same package with 18 holes
of golf is $125 per person. Your
choice of any of three golf
courses.

This resort also offers pool, hot
tub, saunas and tennis. Call i-
800-663-4232/248-8333.

Circus-Circus in Reno has
published a coupon in various
publications advertising special
Canadian
March 26 (you've got to get hold
of one of the coupons to qualify).
The offer is valid Sunday to
Thursday and Jan. 31-March 26,

‘the room rate is $28 (second night

free). Additional.nights are 20%
off.

The last time we stayed at Cir-
cus-Circus I wasn’t thrilled with
much about it. For. starters, 1
found our room poorly cleaned. A
reader called at that time to tell
me that she had encountered the
same thing, but she called again a
few weeks ago to report 100%
improvement.

Of course there are fly-hotel
packages available (and bus tours

rates effective until

Barbara
McCreadie

TRAVELWISE

of every description) at reasonable
tates. Only those who drive down
need to book their own hotels.
Driving down is still very popu-
lar, even this time of year. Gas is
a lot cheaper than here and, barr-
ing a blizzard, the roads are good.

Pm not a dedicated cross-
border shopper but should we go
south we do take advantage of
our $100 duty free (two-night
stay). Of course it’s a myth that

Departs June 8
Regal Princess.
from as low as $1099 -

For more Metals call

985-7447 (SHIP)

1823 Capilano Rd.

everything’s cheaper. Some things,

maybe.

If we had little kids, I'd check
the prices on toys very carefully
before I left home. No sense
wasting your duty-free allowance
on something you can get at the
same price here.

The same goes for electronic
equipment, tools, small electricals
and kitchen equipment.

Liquor and cigarettes are a
bargain but are limited — one
carton; 40 ounces of liquor or 24
beer.

I pick up a few groceries —
especially milk, cheese and eggs.
However, we're limited to how
much of this stuff we can use. I
have a list of a few products that
I like which are unavailable in
Canada and buy them every visit.

Our Ministry of Tourism
publishes a guide to all accom-
modation in the province. It is
available, free, at any tourist in-
formation centre. Our closest one
is 131 East 2nd St. in North Van.
Mosx budget accommodation isn’t
available through travel agents so
the guide is invaluable.

It lists important things like
Prices, facilities and gives phone
humbers so you can reserve. By

calling the hotel or resort directly |

Emergency Road
Service for your RV...

es @
908 Park Roya! Mall South

922-3361 Fax 922-3532

Space Needle
e

Seattle Center

Sth Avenue
Theatre
@

Monorail
@
Seattle
Arn Museum
>

“E. Magpnin

YOU ARE HERE.

Elliott Bay Books

Pike Place Market

Waterfront Shops
e

Pioneer Squate
e

Trolley

Smith Tower
e

Aquarium
e .

you can also get directions and
other helpful hints such as off-
season clothing and footwear
you'll need to take advantage of
the outdoors.

For some, this information
might include vital information
such as, ‘‘We’re not licenced and
the nearest liquor outlet is 40
miles of gravel road from here.”*

If you are interested in renting a
condo-type lodge it's important to
know if you must bring your own
supplies. Some don’t provide
bedding or towels! It’s often wise
to bring your own groceries if
you’re getting into the outback.
The nearest store may well be one
with limited stock and unlimited
prices. Even if we’re renting a
condo in Hawaii 1 usually pack
small quantities of my favorite
seasonings.

Remember that rural lodges
may provide little in the way of
entertainment. During the day
walking is usually a pleasure, but.
it’s wise to pack some cards and
games for. long winter evenings.
Don’t rely on the lodge to provide |

— there may not be even paper-  :
backs, so come prepared.

I'd be interested’ in hearing .

‘from ‘any - readers...who.’ have.

discovered. ‘interesting getaways, ©

close “enough that. we. can: enjoy -.

them for a- weekend. PH pass
along any’ hints. :

We also sell'i insurance.

* Homeowners
© Out-of-Province.
- . Medical Insusance -
* Autoplan |: -
-© Term Life

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roe merous required. Not valid wih otber offers. Rete nubjet 10 local taxes. Experes 3/3/92, Subject to evatlasliry

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