Best Part of a Room? Its Discount

The lodging industry continues to compete for the patronage of the mature traveler as indicated by the increasing number of hotels and resorts that offer discount incentives.

Couples who book any Aston Resort are given free membership in Aston’s Sun Club, which provides a 25% discount off quoted rates at 32 hotels and condominiums throughout Hawaii. One member of the party must be over 55. At the Kaanapali Shores on Maui, for example, rates start at $109 for a studio suite (regular rate $145). A one-bedroom, one-bath suite that houses four people starts at $150 (regular rate $200). The Waikiki Circle Hotel offers Sun Club rates from $79 (regularly $105). For information, call (800) 922-7866.

The elegant Hotel De La Poste in New Orleans’ French Quarter is offering a Senior Advantage Rate that gives guests over 50 a 50% discount. Under this plan, a double room usually priced at $165 is $82.50. The hotel is located near many French Quarter attractions. , including art galleries, antique shops, Jackson Square, the Jax Brewery and the Aquarium of the Americas. Many rooms have balconies and private terraces overlooking a garden courtyard. For reservations, call (800) 448-4927.

The Holiday Inn of Auburn in California’s historic gold country is offering a 10% discount through the end of 1996 to people over 50. For a brochure and information, call (800) 814-8787.

The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo in northern Washington will resume its popular Age-Less Rates program beginning Oct. 1. It works like this: The older member of a couple who books lodging at the inn can deduct his or her age from the regular hotel rate. A 50-year-old guest who books a room at the regular rate of $125 would pay $75. The older the guest, the larger the discount. The inn also offers a 20% discount on its dinner menu. Semi-Ah-Moo is on Puget Sound, two hours north of Seattle or 45 minutes south of Vancouver, Canada. The resort has an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, boat tours to nearby islands, sightseeing in Canada, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, para-sailing, whale-watching trips and a health spa. For information, call (800) 770-7992.

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Senior Summer School has expanded its campuses from three to six and now offers programs in Canada, Maine, Los Angeles, Wisconsin, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Senior Summer School is a program for retirees who may not have been able to attend college as young adults or are interested in courses that were not available then. Programs range from two to 10 weeks in length. Seniors can enjoy lodging, dining, travel and take courses for two or three weeks for less than $800; 10-week courses can run as much as $2,000. Transportation to and from campuses is not included. For complete information on subjects, costs and campus locations, call (800) 847-2466.