Minnesota's Lutsen Resort is celebrating its 125th year of welcoming travelers to its ruggedly beautiful setting along Lake Superior's North Shore.  This rustic Great Lakes landmark is a popular spot for families, in part because it offers complimentary year-round activities from kayaking and swimming in the summer to night hikes and guided snowshoe tours in the winter.  

The resort offers a year-round  Minnesota Family Package that delivers some free meals for the whole family.  The package is valid on stays of at least two nights in any lodging style, from standard guest rooms to three-bedroom condos.  Is the offer a good deal for families?  We took a close look at the numbers to find out.  A family booking this package for two-night October weekend would get:

• accommodations (for an October weekend stay in a main lodge double room, worth $135/night x 2 nights = $270)
• breakfast daily in the lakeside dining room (worth $10 x 4 people  x 2 days = $80)
• one dinner entrée per adult in either the pub or lakeside dining room (worth $40/adult x 2 = $80)
• one kids' menu dinner per child under 12 (worth $15/child x 2 kids = $30)
• free lodging for kids (no added value, because kids always stay free)

When we price-checked an October weekend stay for a family of two adults and two kids under 12, the package rate was quoted as $175 a night for a main lodge room with two double beds.  So a two-night stay would total $350.  If the package components were purchased separately, the total spend would be $460, or $110 more than the package, for a difference of 25%.

Deal or no deal?  Deal. This package delivers two free breakfasts and one free dinner — which translates to an average added value of $55 a day.  Book online or call 888/881-6991 and ask for the "Minnesota Family Package." Note: the package is not available during certain holiday periods.

For families looking for a resort that delivers a casual yet active vacation, Club Med delivers a lot of positives: all-inclusive pricing, good food, imaginative kids' programming (including, at some properties, a circus school), and a wide array of family activities.  

Club Med is offering all of that at a substantial discount during its Fall “Wow” Sale,  with rates starting at $399 per person for a three-night stay.  When we test-booked three nights in September at Club Med Cancun Yucatan (see our review) for a family of four, we landed a price of $1,298 for a club two-bedroom suite (the standard lodging option). That's a savings of nearly 60% off the regular price of $3,152.

And that's not all. When you book a deluxe room or suite at Club Med resorts in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, you'll get either a free massage at the resort spa or a local excursion for two.  (A three-night September stay in a deluxe two-bedroom oceanfront room would run $1,578.)

The catch? You have to book by August 30, and travel between September 1 and October 31.  Stays of seven nights or more qualify for the discounted "wow" rates through April 29, 2011, including holidays. Book online or call 888/932-2582 and ask for the "wow" sale.

The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, located directly across from the popular marine attraction and its sister park Discovery Cove, offers guests a heated outdoor pool, spa, and five on-site eateries with SeaWorld-themed activities (think breakfast with Shamu). The hotel has announced a Family Escape! package valid through December 15, with nightly rates starting at $99, free kids meals and a few extras. But is it really a good deal for families?  We crunched the numbers to find out.

A family of four booking this package would get:

• overnight accommodations in a deluxe guest room (regularly $129/night on a September weekend)
• welcome glass of champagne or sparkling cider for parents (worth about $10)
  
• two free kids' meals daily for kids 12 and under (worth about $12/meal x 2 meals x 2 kids = $48)
• family movie night with one large pizza, soft drinks and in-room movie (about $25)
• 10% discount on spa services (discount amounts to $11 on one-hour massage or facial)

When we price-checked a September weekend stay for a family of two adults and two kids under 12, we found a nightly rate of $129 with the package. The non-package, "leisure" rate for those dates was also $129 a night.  If our hypothetical family booked the same stay without the package, the tab would total $212, which is $83 more than the package price.  Room rates at this hotel vary widely during the promo period; we found nightly rates for a deluxe room ranging from $109 on an August weeknight to $369 on a Friday in early December.  In all cases, when the Family Escape package was available, the package rate was identical to the regular room rate. 

At first glance, the package offers savings of nearly 40%. But should all the package components be factored in to our assessment? The welcome drink is just a token perk. And to take advantage of the spa discount, you have to spend money to save money. After factoring out those components, what's left is a package that offers savings to the tune of about $75 a night, which is 35% off the non-package price.  

Deal or no deal?   For families with school-age kids who plan to eat at the hotel, this package is a deal because it offers real savings on food costs.   The fine print: Availability is limited and there are some blackout dates. The "kids eat free" offer is good for a maximum of four children.  Book online or call 800/834-7015 and use promo code "P50."

Taking its name from its serene location, Tranquility Bay Antigua is set on a one-mile stretch of calm water and white-sand beach on Antiqua's west coast.  This is the island's only all-suite property, whose units feature full kitchens, washer/dryers and plenty of room to spread out.  The resort also boasts two pools, tennis courts, a complimentary kids' club, water sports, and access to all of the amenities at neighboring Jolly Beach Resort. 

Through September 12, Tranquility Bay Antigua is offering a Relax Together Summer Vacation package that offers a family of four a seventh night free, sightseeing, and a few extras.  But does the advertised rate of $1,495 for the package make it a good bet for families?  We took a close look at the numbers to find out.  A family of four booking this package for a seven-night stay would get:

• seven-night stay in a two-bedroom suite (in August, worth $279/night x 7 nights = $1,953)
• family photo session with a complimentary keepsake portrait  (worth $100)
• three-hour harbour cruise or an off-road ATV tour (value of $280)
• $100 credit for the adjacent supermarket (worth $100)
  

When we price-checked a stay for a family of four in August, the package rate came in at $1,495.  If a family booked that seven-night stay and the extras separately, they would pay $2,433—a whopping $938 more than the package price. You save more than $500 on your accommodation alone, even before you add in the grocery credit, sightseeing tour, and photo session. 

Deal or no deal? A super deal, delivering a savings of nearly 40%.  Book online or call 888/411-2012 and ask for the "Relax Summer Special."

Set on 429 acres overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club delivers a roster of traditional resort activities to wow families (see our review).  The expansive lawn in front of the historic mansion hosts croquet, badminton and kite-flying, and there’s plenty of imaginative kids' programming (think tidal pool exploration and lunch with Cape Cod minor-league baseball players).  Throw in four restaurants, six pools, a private beach, tennis, golf, bike trail, and charming towns just minutes away and you've got a family-friendly vacation in the making.

We spied a last-minute deal on Travelzoo that’s great for New England families looking for a Labor Day getaway—or any family with pre-schoolers not tied to a school calendar.  Book a stay in a one-bedroom villa between August 29 and September 6, and you'll land a rate of $225 a night. Since regular rates during that week range from $275 to $345, that's a savings of up to 35%.  Plus, if you check in on Sunday and stay at least three nights, you’ll receive a nightly $50 resort credit.  Use the credit toward meals and you’ll reduce your spend even more.

If those dates don't work for you, there's another offer on the table during the resort's high season: come mid-week betwen August 1 and August 28 and you can stay in a one-bedroom villa for $275 a night (regularly $295-$350). Stays of five nights or more during those four weeks will also nab you a $100 resort credit. Saturday and Sunday nights in August are also discounted.

To take advantage of this offer, book by August 3. Go online or call 800/343-6074 and use promo code TZOO.

The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes has an enviable location in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The resort is set on 2,200 acres on the intercoastal waterway, tucked off the main strip yet still very accessible to the Carolina Opry, Dixie Stampede, Broadway at the Beach, Nascar Speedpark, and other attractions that make Myrtle Beach so appealing to families.  The hotel offers a naturally-landscaped beach, tennis, golf, and accommodations ranging from standard guest rooms to spacious suites with full kitchens, fireplaces, and washer/dryers. Better yet: The resort has a "kids stay, play, and eat free" policy all summer long for kids 12 and under. 

Still shopping for a summer getaway? The Marina Inn's Last Days of Summer special is valid for stays from August 8 to August 31, and it's a straightforward deal with two options.  Stay five or six nights in a grande guest room or two-bedroom suite and you'll receive one free night.  In August, a grande guest room costs between $149 and $209 a night, depending on travel dates; the free night will chop about 15% off your bill—and that's in addition to what you'll save on kids meals. Two-bedroom suites run $314 a night during those dates.

Stay a week and you'll save even more; book seven nights and you'll get two more for free—which translates to a savings of 22% on a nine-night stay.  The offer can be used to book the hotel's roomy three-bedroom/three-bath suites, which run $419 a night in August, so two free nights means saving a sizable chunk of change.

Book online or call 866/337-4958 and ask for the "Last Days of Summer" special. Note: There is also a $15-a-day resort fee that includes in-room wi-fi, rental bicycles, valet parking, and shuttles to the beach, about a mile away.

• accommodations  (deluxe double room starts at $129/night in August with the best flexible rate)
• four tickets to the Florida Aquarium  (worth $19.95/adult x 2 + $14.95/child x 2 = $69.80)
• a "Finding Nemo" audio CD (worth, let's say, $10)
• a "loaner pet fish" in a small aquarium, placed in guest room for duration of stay

When we price-checked a stay for a family of four in August, the package rate was quoted as $181 per night in a deluxe double room. If booking an identical room only using the best flexible rate, the cost would be $129 for the night. When you factor in the value of the aquarium tickets, the package delivers a value of $198.80. In other words, booking the package saves you about $18, or roughly 10%, on a one-night stay.

But keep in mind that if you book the package for multiple nights, you'll be charged the higher rate for each night.  After the first night (when the rate covers the cost of the aquarium tickets), it makes sense to spend $52 less for each subsequent night using the best flexible rate ($129 instead of $181). 

Deal or no deal? This package delivers guppy-sized savings.  The rent-a-fish and CD add some fun but no genuine extra value. Think of it like this: Saving $18 is almost like getting one free adult ticket to the aquarium. But remember, if booking more than one night, you're better off paying the best flexible rate for the rest of your stay. You can book online or call 866/402-0758 and use rate code IKCT1.

Naples Bay Resort is offering a three-night Florida's Wild Side package through December 18, with rates starting at $310 per night for a family of two adults and two kids. But is it a good deal for families?  We did the math to find out.  A family booking this package for a weekend in August would get:

• three-night stay in a two-bedroom canalview suite (in August, worth $182/night x 3 = $546)
• welcome amenity of two Florida stuffed animals (worth, let's say, $15)
• popcorn and one pay-per-view movie (worth about $10)
• in-room pizza dining on one night (worth about $25)
• four tickets to Naples Zoo (worth $19.95/adult x 2 + $11.95/kid x 2 = $63.80)
• four tickets for a half-day Everglades Adventure (worth $129/adult x 2 + $65/kid x 2 = $388)
  
• full-day poolside cabana rental (worth $40)

When we price-checked a stay for a family of four in August, the package rate was quoted as $348 per night in a two-bedroom canalview suite, which works out to $1,044 for a three-night stay. If the components are booked separately, the price would come to $1,088 for the three nights—$44 more than the package. Long story short: The package delivers a savings of about 4%. If getting a good price is a priority, you're better off booking a room only and purchasing tickets to the attractions you most want to visit. 

Because the package is available for an extended period, both room rates and the package price fluctuates, depending on dates.  For example, if you were to book a weekend stay in December, you'd pay $269 a night for a room, or $807 for three nights. Adding in the components of the package brings your spend up to $1,348.  Comparatively, that same stay booked with the package would cost $420 a night, or $1,260 for three nights. In this case, the $88 you'd save with the package works out to a savings of 7%.

Still, you could pay much less if you booked à la carte and simply opted to forego the stuffed animals, pizza, in-room movie and cabana rental. Those little extras really do add up when you're paying for them yourself. And with this package, you definitely are.

Deal or no deal?  Nah.  When you subtract the value of the movie night, cabana rental, and stuffed animals, the package price and the non-package price are essentially the same. The resort has basically priced the package to cover the cost of the components. 

You can book online or by calling 866/605-1199 and requesting the "Florida's Wild Side" package.

Families have been returning to Michigan's Mackinac Island for generations, and it's easy to see why: No cars are allowed on the island, and the place seems to have been plucked from another era, with its ferry ride, horse-drawn carriages, old-fashioned ice cream parlors, fudge purveyors, and easy bike path that rings the island. 

Set on 18 acres along the southeastern shore of the island, Mission Point Resort features a heated outdoor pool, kids' club, tennis, golf, and even a museum with local historical exhibits.  The resort is offering a two-night Family Island Adventure package through October 24, with rates starting at $851 for a family of two adults and two kids under age 12. But is it really a good deal for families?  We took a close look at the numbers to find out.   A family booking this package in August would get:

• two-night stay in a garden double room (in August, $215/night x 2 = $430)
• two breakfast vouchers for adults; kids under 12 eat free (worth, let's say, $30)
• two dinner vouchers for adults; kids under 12 eat free (worth about $50)
• four tickets to Fort Mackinac (worth $10.50/adult x 2 + $6.50/kid x 2 = $34)
• four tickets to the Tower Museum (worth $5/adult x 2 + $2.50/kid x 2 = $15)
• four half-day bike rentals (for single-speed bikes, $18/person x 4 = $72)
  
• four tickets to the resort's putting course (worth $12/adult x 2 + $7.50/kid x 2 = $39)
• four tickets to the Butterfly House (worth $8.50/adult x 2 + $4/kid x 2 = $25)
• four round-trip ferry tickets ($21/adult x 2 + $11/kid x 2  = $64)

When we price-checked a stay for a family of four in August, the package rate was quoted as $851 for two nights in a garden double room. If booking the room only using the best available rate, the same room would cost $430 for two nights. Add in the prices of the package components, and your total spend would come to $769—so the package price is actually $82 more than what you'd pay if booking à la carte.  

That long list of package inclusions seems very impressive at first glance, but the package doesn't save you a dime. In fact, the price has been inflated to more than cover the cost of the individual components.

Deal or no deal?  No way, no how, no deal. You're much better off booking a room on its own and then cherry picking the activities your family would like. 

Note: If you book this package, full payment is due at the time of booking. There's a minimum 14-day advance cancellation policy.  There are also a few blackout dates.  You can book online or call 800/833-7711.

Summer officially kicked off less than three weeks ago, but many families around the country are already halfway through their school breaks.  To help you squeeze out every last drop of the season's fun, Georgia's Jekyll Island Club Hotel has launched an End of Summer Special good for stays August 1 through September 2.  The BOGO offer is as straightforward as they come: Stay one night at the regular rate and you'll get a second night free, which equates to a 50% savings. The deal is good on all room types except the Presidential Suite. August rates start at $249 a night for a double room, so this promo could save you about $500 on a four-night stay (wow!).

Once the winter retreat of millionaires such as Rockefeller, Goodyear, and Astor, the historic hotel now offers up a luxurious yet laid back line-up of family-fun activities, from golf and tennis to croquet, swimming and more (see our review).  

To book this offer, call 800/535-9547.  The fine print: There are two black out dates (August 6 and 7). Taxes and resort fee are not included.