An upside of the still-sluggish ecomomy is that even the most luxe hotels are still willing to put a good offer on the table. Take the Grand Del Mar on the northern edge of San Diego,  about 10 minutes from the city’s quietest beaches. The AAA Five-Diamond property, which opened in 2007, has an Italian villa vibe as well as four pools, golf, tennis, a spa, kids' club and an equestrian center; it also has Addison, one of the biggest foodie-magnet restaurants south of LA. It’s about 25 minutes in any direction from Legoland, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo.

But do a little digging and you'll find that even a plush spot like this is willing to throw in extra value to get you there. We were intrigued by the new Family Fun Package, available  through December 30, that starts at $465 a night. Here's what it includes:

• Kids eat free  (worth $35/child x 2 kids x 2 days= $140 )
• 4-hour stint at Explorers Club for two kids ages 5-12 ($50 x 2 kids = $100)
• Connecting room at 50% off (worth $233)

When we price-checked a stay in April, regular rates started  at $425, which is $40 less than the family package. Once you factor in the value-added freebies, the package pulls ahead by $200 in added value. If you need that second room, the package cuts a further 25% off your room bill.

Deal or no deal? If you are prepared to fork out for just one room, you can get a better deal by browsing the specials page and booking the Grand Life offer, which starts at $333 a night and includes a one-time $100 credit you can use at the restaurants, spa or golf course. The rate delivers a 22% savings even before you even factor in the credit.

Both offers are good through December 31. As usual, a few blackout dates apply. You can book the deals online, or by calling 888/314-2030.