Memorial Day Weekend deals for military past and present

BY BOB & SANDY NESOFF

With Memorial Day Weekend hard upon us, a number of resorts and hotels are offering discounts to all who have worn the uniform of the United States.

In New York, the Wolcott Hotel is offering a 15 percent discount on its room rates starting at $170 per night. The hotel has a great midtown location at 4 West 31^st Street, between Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

The Wolcott is surrounded by New York’s terrific shopping and is blocks from the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden. Hotel amenities include complimentary breakfast, concierge service for obtaining tickets to shows, a fitness room and laundry.

The offer is valid through the end of 2013. Go to www.wolcott.com, use promotional code “MIL” and enjoy.

In the Finger Lakes area, the Maxwell Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast is offering a 25 percent discount off available rates for those showing a valid military ID.  The discount applies to active military and immediate family.

To book, go to www.maxwellcreekin-bnb.com or call 315-483-2222. Use promo code “USMil2013. The owners, Belinda and Pat McElroy, have two sons in the Marines and are paying it forward.

Also in the Finger Lakes district, the Hampton Inn is offering a flat rate of $100 per night for weekdays. Go to www.owego.hamptoninn.com or call 607-687-4600.

In the Caribbean there are several resorts participating in the Military Appreciation program.

St. John, USVI Westin Resort & Villas is offering rates as low as $165 per night. Guests must present a valid government ID on check-in. For information, go to www.westinresortsstjohn.com and select government employee under rate preferences or call 800-734-7345.

Bahamas Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino has rates as low as $190. The special military rate includes daily breakfast for one. Information at www.sheratonnassau.com; select government employee and mention the GO Rate Plan or call 866-716-8106. Valid government ID is required.

The Aruba Westin Resort & Casino starts its military rates at $179 and includes a complimentary upgrade to an ocean view room based on availability. Here too a valid government ID must be presented. You can book online at www.westinaruba.com; select “GO” rate plan. If you call 877-782-0149, mention the plan as well.

The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino offers rates beginning at $195.  Go to the web site at www.sheratonpuertoricehotelcasino.com, select government employee and enter GO Plan.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort (Puerto Rico) is more expensive but has dropped its bottom rate to military to $299. www.stregisbahiabeach.com. Mention the GO Plan.

Puerto Rico’s Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa has rates bottoming out at $139. www.wyndhamriomar.com. Rates here are good until Dec. 23, 2013. Situated on 500 acres along a mile-long section of tropical beach adjacent to El Yunque Rain Forest, it has a huge casino and two golf courses. Book either through the website or by calling; make sure you give the rate code GOVGEN.

There very well may be many other hotels and resorts offering military discounts. Call the destination directly and ask if they offer any discount for current or former military. You can find discounts in some of the most unexpected places.

For instance, Home Depot and Lowes offer military and former military a 10 percent discount on virtually all purchases. Some auto rental agencies offer the same courtesy.

Applebee’s offers current and former military free lunch and/or dinner on Memorial Day. Military ID is required. Others, such as McCormick & Schmick offer a dining discount.

Some of those providing military discounts do not advertise the fact but will give it immediately if asked.

As a former staff sergeant in the 11^th Special Forces Group (Green Berets), the male half of this writing team urges all those eligible not only to take advantage of these offers, but to remember to say “thank you” for the courtesy as well.