Weak tourist trade spurs clever hotel incentives

Florida vacationers who want to stay horizontal can head straight for Crane’s BeachHouse in Delray Beach, one of many hotels that are going beyond simple discounting to draw visitors in a weak tourism environment. The 27-room hotel is offering “The Bed-in for Peace” package, linked with a nearby exhibit marking John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 8-day “bed-in” during 1969. The package includes champagne, fruit and other goodies to make breakfast without leaving the room. In Fort Lauderdale, the 124-room Atlantic Hotel is promoting a restaurant or spa credit equal to the age of the oldest in the room. A 38-year-old guest, for example, would get $38 in credit. Sam Shank, chief executive of dealbase.com, a search engine for hotel deals, said hotels are doing anything they can to increase usage without reducing prices. [Sun-Sentinel]