Armed with a refund after filing the previous year’s tax returns, the call of the open road -- or the open skies -- beckons many travelers. Whether they boast locations by the beaches of Curacao or in metropolitan Chicago, many hotels have launched sales and deals linked to Tax Day (April 15). Some are flash sales, some discounts are good for next Wednesday only, and others yet are good for the rest of the year. Here are eight ways to cash in:
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort (Curacao)Operating as a flash sale, Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort’s 48-Hour Tax Relief promotion gives you between April 15 and 17 to get up to 40 percent off rates. So as long as you can act quickly, you can plan ahead -- the sale applies for travel through September 30. Rates drop as low as $139 a night.
Hotel Monaco Chicago (Chicago, IL)
This Kimpton property in Chicago’s Loop celebrates Tax Day by offering all guests cash back during the month of April. You'll find rooms starting from $189 per night -- with no charge for occupancy and lodging taxes. Considering Chicago’s lodging tax is 16.4 percent (equivalent with New York's), the numbers can quickly add up. And if your stay falls over April 15, the savings are even sweeter. Drop by the front desk for a candy bar honoring tax day (choose from PayDay or 100 Grand).
Westin New York Grand Central Hotel (New York, NY)
You don’t have to wait until Tax Day to claim the 15 percent discount offered by Westin New York Grand Central Hotel, convenient to many Manhattan attractions from its Midtown location. Rooms start at $199. Book between now and May 17, using promo code TAXBRK, for travel through 2015.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Right in the heart of downtown Chicago, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago is coaxing springtime travelers with 25 percent off, for stays between April 16 and 28. The caveats are that you must stay at least two nights, book by April 15, and avoid the blackout dates of April 20-23. Use promo code J-TAXDAY when booking.
Grand Lucayan Resort and Spa (Bahamas)
If you make a booking between now and April 16 at Grand Lucayan Resort and Spa, for a four-night stay between May 1 and December 20, you'll get $100 resort credit. Considering the property has a spa, golf course and multiple restaurants, cashing that in shouldn’t take too much effort. Rates start at $109 a night. To book the deal, use promo code RTTAX.
Marriott Hotels of Washington D.C. (Washington, D.C. & Arlington, VA)
Targeting late-spring and summer travel, Marriott Hotels of Washington D.C. -- which also includes properties in Arlington, Virginia -- unleashed a Tax Day deal that’s bookable between April 13 and 20. Rates start at $89 per night (a 25 percent discount) for weekend stays between May 2 to September 8. A total of 12 hotels are in the group, spanning the three brands of JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels.
Sunstream Hotels & Resorts (Naples, Florida)
Looking to catch some sun? Head to one of this hotel group's three hotels in Florida between April 15 and July 31 to shave 15 percent off room rates. For late May, we found that prices at the Four-Diamond Bellasera Hotel dip as low as $186 for a studio room with a pool view (the lowest of the season). Also in the group are Park Shore Resort and Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort.
Royal Caribbean International
Eyeing a cruise? Between April 11 and 15, Royal Caribbean will relieve guests from having to pay the cost of taxes, port charges and fees on new bookings made for sailings that depart April 15 through March 31, 2016. The savings represents up to a $200 per person savings for itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Europe for six nights or longer. (Note: The offer excludes sailings aboard Quantum of the Seas and its soon-to-launch sister ship Anthem of the Seas.)
Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos (Mexico)
How does an all-inclusive vacation sound? For travel between May 1 and July 31, CheapCaribbean.com is offering a four-night stay with air at this resort, from $539. Book by July 11.
