The joys of spending a night in a hotel

Hotel rooms aren't always cheap but they can be a welcome break from daily drudgery. In a survey of U.S. adults recently commissioned by hotels.com, respondents were asked what they looked forward to when spending a night in a hotel. The results:

* 66 percent -- simply peace and quiet.

* 66 percent ( a tie!) -- having no responsibilities.

* 58 percent -- not having to make the bed or clean up.

* 43 percent -- room service.

* 41 percent -- a full night's sleep.

* 18 percent -- control of the TV and remote.

Participants in the survey were also asked what they gladly leave behind when heading for a hotel. The answers:

* 75 percent -- chores and housework.

* 47 percent -- their jobs.

* 11 percent -- their children.

* 8 percent -- their spouses or significant others.

The study was conducted as part of a promotion for the website's welcomerewards program, in which guests automatically earn a free night in a location of their choice after booking and staying 10 nights with hotels.com.

Fascinating fact

Israel (8, 019 square miles) is less than one-fourth the size of the state of Maine (34,554 square miles).

Free 3rd, 4th or 5th night in Florida's Gulf Islands

Florida’s Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch are offering free nights at 16 properties through Oct. 31. Included are properties hotels,  mini resorts,  condominiums and luxury vacation rentals at varying prices. Depending upon the property, you get a free third, fourth or fifth night, which sounds so much better than saying you get a discount of 33, 25 or 20 percent.

For details and offers, click here. 

Trivial question

Twelve countries lie on the Equator. How many can you name? (Answer with next posting.)

Two autumnal offers from a Cape Cod resort

The Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, Mass., has a couple of packages for fall and beyond. The one-night Cranberry Harvest Package, with rates starting at $239 through November,  includes a welcome gift, dinner for two at Grand Cru Wine Bar and Grill or Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant ($40 in meal allowance) and a $40 Gift Voucher to use in the resort's Beach Plum Spa or Sea Breeze Gift Shop. Meanwhile, the one-night Fire and Ice Romance Package starts at $169,  Columbus Day through Memorial Day. The offer features champagne, chocolates, a 
$10  allowance off  lunch or dinner at the Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant or Grand Cru Wine Bar and Grill and 10 percent off all Beach Plum Spa services.

Call 888-297-2200 or 508-771-3000. For resort details, visit www.capecodderresort.com.

Worth quoting

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”

                                                                                                     -- Aldous Huxley

Get set for the Buffalo Wing Festival!

Few things attract a crowd like buffalo wings. In fact, more than 75,000 people are expected to attend the 8^th annual National Buffalo Wing Festival, to be held Labor Day Weekend in where else but Buffalo, N.Y. A highlight   will be the second annual Celebrity Chef Challenge sponsored by Frank’s RedHot, the secret ingredient in the original Buffalo wing recipe. The chef challenge will feature festival founder, Drew Cerza, aka The Wing King,  and Kevin Roberts, executive chef, cookbook author and radio personality. Attendees will learn savory sauce secrets and  the history of Buffalo wings. Afterward, you can cool off by visiting nearby Niagara Falls and Ontario wineries.

Visit www.buffalowing.com.