Four Seasons Boston Offers 50% Break on Adjoining Rooms and Family Treats

You’ve probably read that many company executives, meetings and conferences, and business travelers have been fleeing the five-star hotels because corporate travel has become tainted by the so-called AIG Effect (the revelation that the insurer AIG accepted a government bailout and continued to spend taxpayers' money on luxury items for its executives.) Therefore, the super deluxe hotel chains like The Four Seasons have been looking for new markets with new customers and new whims to cater to.

Last year, the hotel began noticing that more and more of its business travelers were keeping their guestroom over a long weekend, adding a few days of pleasure onto a few day's of work. And often they invited spouses and kids to join them. So this year, with families being one of the few segments of the travel market remaining strong during the summer, the Four Seasons Hotel Boston has put together a family package with welcome discounts.

Families who want to tour Beantown in the ultimate class act can check out the hotel's "Play In The City" offer. Across the Four Seasons brand, families are being welcomed with 50% off the second adjoining room, giving parents a chance to enjoy privacy and romantic luxury in their own room while kids play (and maybe sleep) safely nearby. With the discounted rate comes a hotel credit of $75 to spend on property, and four tickets to the Boston Children's Museum, a wonderland for ages 1-10 years.

Best yet for many kids, the Four Seasons Boston has an Ice Cream Man who roams around the hotel with his wares to make sundaes and other sweet treats for kids. Parents can enjoy ice cream, too, and the Ice Cream Man's in-room visit makes a great photo op.

The Boston hotel, located in the center of the celebrated Beacon Hill neighborhood, has recently undergone a $30 million renovation. The hotel's Bristol Lounge, known as "Boston's living room," according to general manager Bill Taylor, is a long time local favorite.

There are dozens of great things to do in Boston with kids of all ages. In an era when families want to learn more about government and how the Executive Office functions, Boston's Kennedy Library is a great place to introduce these topics to your younger family members. David Wilkening, in his "Boston, Massachusetts with the Kids," suggests many fun things to do with the kids that bring historic government events – the Boston Tea Party, the Freedom Trail – to life. Teens will enjoy seeing the town's many college campuses, all of which have public tours, and strolling downtown Cambridge. If you need more ideas, the Four Seasons Concierge has put together a family-oriented "Play In The City" guide that can be used to customize an itinerary for every age group. Young kids who spend a lot of time in the hotel can try the concierge's scavenger hunt and look for prizes.

Of course, every Four Seasons prides itself on customer service, so before you depart for Boston, call ahead to see if the concierge can get you tickets to an upcoming Red Sox game. Even if you're not a Yankees hater, the historic Fenway Park is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. After the game, have a burger at the Bristol Lounge or plan a celebratory meal at Aujourd'hui, the hotel's fine dining restaurant. For summer, they offer a three course tasting menu for $40 per person.

There are Family Values Packages at Four Seasons Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Each hotel is having this special through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009. The package price varies from property to property. For additional information and reservations, visit www.fourseasons.com.