When a resort has neither a beach nor snow, it has to up the ante in other ways during the winter months.  Typically, this is when you see a big price drop. At La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa, about 50 miles outside of Houston, you can score a Holiday Friends and Family rate of $119 a night during December. When we price-checked some late December dates, we discovered that the regular starting rate is $229 a night, so the $119 deal amounts to a whopping 48% savings. The offer also promises that kids under 5 eat free—though, as it turns out, kids under 5 eat free all the time at the resort's eight restaurants.

The resort sits on the 22,000-acre Lake Conroe. This time of year, day temperatures can be as low as the 50s or as high as the 70s, and almost all the amenities are available:  its 3.5-acre waterpark (with some heated pools), mini golf course, 18-holf golf course, spa, and a marina with boating, kayaking and fishing. Both the aqua park and mini golf are free for guests.

The special offer doesn’t apply for New Year’s Eve (they do have a Winter Solstice deal for $169, which includes breakfast for two). The 445-room hotel is comprised entirely of suites and villas. 

You can book the offer online or call 877/286-9590 and ask for the Holiday Friends and Family Discount.