Discounts for San Francisco Hotels

A popular destination of mature travelers is San Francisco, where a central reservations service in the Bay Area, San Francisco Reservations, handles more than 200 hotels, motels and bed and breakfast inns, many of which offer discounts for senior visitors. Callers, who must identify themselves as seniors, can obtain the prevailing senior rates. In addition, since the firm contacts its client hotels daily, it is able to provide last-minute specials, many of which are even lower-priced than the senior discounts.

One example is the regular rate for some of the rooms at the prestigious Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel on Nob Hill. It’s $200 for one or two people per room, per night, with no senior discount. However, these same rooms were recently listed with San Francisco Reservations for $99.

Another example is the Savoy Hotel at Union Square. It offers a family suite for four persons, including valet parking, continental breakfasts, two T-shirts and the 11% hotel tax, for $159 daily. The regular rate for this package is $200, and a senior discount of 10% is $180, or $21 more than SFR’s rate.

Not only does San Francisco Reservations book rooms for pleasure traveling, but it also offers assistance in booking for business, helps families find rooms close to shopping, dining and sightseeing, and offers locations close to theaters and other attractions.

For reservations and information, contact San Francisco Reservations, 22 Second St., 4th Floor, San Francisco 94105, (800) 677-1550.

Hawaii’s chain of Outrigger Hotels, now numbering more than 20, has extended its “Fifty-Plus” senior discount program through Dec. 18, 1992. Depending on the hotel and location of room, regular rates--which start at $70 in some Waikiki hotels--will be reduced 20% to $56 during the peak season. Off-season minimum rates have been reduced to $52 from $65. The peak season runs from Dec. 20 to March 31, 1992, and the off-season runs from April 1 to Dec. 19, 1992. Members of the American Assn. of Retired Persons (AARP) will receive an additional 5% discount upon presentation of their membership cards. Fifty-Plus discounts also apply to Outrigger Hotels on Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii. For more information and reservations, or for a brochure and rate schedule, contact Outrigger Hotels, 2375 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96815-2939, (800) 733-7777.

The Channel Islands Motel in Oxnard, Ventura County, offers a bountiful selection of benefits, with discounts for mature travelers. All rooms feature a kitchenette with a microwave oven and refrigerator, VCR and blow-dryer. Videos and popcorn are free. Complimentary cooked breakfasts are served, and free cocktails are passed around from 5 to 7 p.m. (except Sundays). Also free are fresh coffee and danish, plus a daily newspaper, available in the lobby throughout the day. A large recreation room with nine pool tables and other features is open, as is a heated swimming pool and a spa. There is also a laundry room with washer-dryers, bleach, detergent, irons and ironing boards--all at no cost. Guests who reserve rooms in advance will receive a large basket of fresh fruit on arrival.

Guests also have free use of fax equipment on incoming messages, and pay only long-distance charges for outgoing messages. There is no charge for local phone calls, credit-card calls, 800 numbers or collect calls.

Prices for kitchenette rooms are $79, reduced to $74 for mature travelers. Larger kitchenette suites that have balconies or patios are regularly $82, discounted to $79 for seniors. Prices are for two people. For a brochure, information or reservations, contact Channel Islands Motel, 1001 E. Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard 93033, (805) 487-7755.

The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey is offering a “Golden Getaway” package for seniors that will be in effect for an indefinite period, Sunday through Thursday. The package, designed for two persons, includes two nights in a marina/city-view room, two “Sunset Dinners,” chocolate chip cookies and milk on retiring, plus complimentary valet parking. For information or reservations, call (310) 823-1700.