If Grandma and Grandpa are up for taking the kids somewhere fun over the holidays, Gaylord Hotels’ “Grandparents Stay and Play Free” package
might be just the ticket. The offer includes a two-night stay plus tickets to the hotel group’s signature
attraction, ICE!, a larger-than-life holiday ice sculpture display. The package, advertised with rates starting at $299, is
available on select dates between November and early January, 2010, at four
Gaylord properties: Gaylord Opryland in Nashville; Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida;
Gaylord Texan in Dallas; and Gaylord National in suburban Washington DC. Note that the $299 starting rate is not available at every property.
- two nights in a deluxe room (regularly $239/night, so worth $478)
- four tickets (two adult, two children) to the hotel’s ICE! Show, “Christmas on the Potomac" ($18/adult x 2 + $13/child x 2 = $62)
- one souvenir photo per booked room (estimated at a $15 value)
If the elements of the package were purchased separately, this two-night stay would come to $540. The package saves you $145, which translates to a 27% savings.
Deal or no deal? Joy to the world, it’s a bonafide deal that could bring some nice holiday memories. Still, it's unclear why the package is marketed as a "stay free" deal for grandparents. Nobody stays free as far as we can tell. And it turns out that you need to jump through one small hoop to get the deal. At check-in, you need to show a photo of your kids' favorite holiday memory with grandparents.
Note: This package is only available by phone. Mention the “grandparents package” when booking. Toll-free phone numbers for each hotel are listed on the website.
