Hotel Group Offering New York Discounts

Some relief from the high cost of hotel rooms in New York City is being offered to mature travelers by the Doral Hotel group through its Doral Classics Club.

The club not only provides a break on room rates, but also a booklet listing many citywide attractions that offer senior discounts. These include most of the city’s major museums, zoos and other points of interest, plus a list of discounted tours.

There are four Doral hotels in New York City, all of them conveniently located near shopping, transportation, restaurants and attractions.

Concierges at each of the hotels have been briefed to tend to the needs of their mature guests, with help on theater or transportation reservations and other matters. Arrangements can be made in advance of your visit.

A continental breakfast is included each day at each hotel, and all rooms are equipped with refrigerators. Participation in the Classics Club is limited to guests over 60 years. Rates for two persons in deluxe accommodations are $110 per night (normally $120 to $195 single), or a one-bedroom suite for $150 (usually $275).

For brochures and information, call toll-free (800) 223-5823, or write to Doral Hotels Classic Club, 600 Madison Ave., New York 10022.

A series of tours designed by Vistatours for grandparents and grandchildren has been prepared for 1990 with features that will appeal to the youngsters as much as the oldsters. There are four selections, some with a multiple choice of dates. Both kids and grandparents on each tour receive gifts, most meals and each tour is accompanied by a full-time guide.

The history tour consists of nine days/eight nights of U.S. historical sites and colonial cities, including Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Jamestown, Yorktown, Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg.

All participants receive a disposable camera, T-shirt and other items. Price, including air fare from the Los Angeles area, is $1,521 per person, double occupancy, $1,443 for three or $1,382 each for four. Departure date for the history tour is June 15, 1990.

The Texas Ranch Adventure includes Big Bend National Park, tours of ghost towns, Carlsbad Caverns, Western museums, a float trip in Colorado Canyon, cookouts, hayrides, horse rides, wagon trips, rodeo events and overnight camping.

Two tours in 1990 are for one week, departing June 18 and Aug. 13, including all meals, motor coach, accommodations and round-trip air fare. Per-person price for two, three or four persons are $1,047, $997 or 917.

The Florida Adventurer tour takes in all the major central Florida attractions, including Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Cypress Gardens, Disney/MGM Studios and Busch Gardens. For some activities, children and grandparents will be with their own age groups.

For one week, guests are accommodated at the Embassy Suites hotel, with an American breakfast every morning and a two-hour cocktail reception for the elders each evening.

Per-person prices, including air from Southern California, for two, three or four persons, are $1,304, $1,160 or $1,088. Departure dates are June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15.

A one-week South Dakota Adventure tour includes Mt. Rushmore, Bear Country Wildlife Park, Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Carving, Custer State Park, an 1880 train ride, camping, cookouts and swimming, with books for the adults and a photo album, sleeping bags and mineral samples for the kids.

Eight meals are included. Three departure dates--June 27, July 18 and Aug. 14. Per-person prices from the Los Angeles area for two, three or four are $997, $914 or $883.

The land-only portion of any tour may be purchased separately at reduced prices.

For more information and day-to-day itineraries of tours, call toll-free (800) 647-0800. Or write to Vistatours, 1923 N. Carson, No. 105, Carson City, Nev. 89701.

Mature travelers who may be including the nation’s capital in their 1990 travel plans can get a free copy of the Golden Washingtonian Club Gold Mine directory, which lists more than 1,600 area merchants who offer discounts to visitors over 60.

Hotels, restaurants and sightseeing services are listed, as well as gift shops, jewelry stores, shoe and clothing stores and almost every type of product or service that is found in telephone directories.

Even doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and other health professionals offer discounts. Discounts in the Gold Mine directory average 10% to 20%, some even more.

Proof of age is not required to receive a copy of the directory, but individual merchants may request evidence of age at the time of purchase or service.

For a free copy of the Gold Mine directory, write to Gold Mine Guide, 415 12th St. NW, No. 312, Washington, D.C. 20004.