Spring Break Staycation Ideas: No. 3—Get Away for a Weekend Close to Home

If you've never tried it, staying overnight or an entire weekend at a nearby hotel can be the best of all worlds—a truly great escape without a truly great expense.

This is one of three creative ideas for spring break staycations I've thrown out there. The first suggested that the kids and family would feel great doing some local volunteer work. No. 1 in the series said "Let's go to a show!" Here, we say splurge. If you can't get far away, you still can get away.

3) Overnight close to home

—155 38th Ave., St. Charles

Enjoy two nights at Country Inn & Suites. Spring break special includes $30 USD/CAD Amazon.com Gift Card (some restrictions apply, please ask when booking rooms), Valuable T.G.I. Friday's coupon and 3,000 bonus Gold Points for Goldpoints Plus members, or those willing to enroll.  There is a two-night minimum stay required, and the stay must be booked three days in advance.

The hotel also provides comfortable guest rooms and suites and convenient amenities and services, including an indoor pool, free Internet access, a fitness center and complimentary shuttle service to fantastic dining and attractions in downtown St Charles. Call 800-596-2375 to make a reservation.

—1555 E. Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva

You will go crazy about the savings at Comfort Inn & Suites during March. From March 1 through April 3, any room, any day is just $74.99 (plus tax). Plus, you will receive $15 in gift certificates. This offer is not valid for groups. Please call 630-208-8811 or visit comfortinngeneva.com for more information.

—2096 Bricher Rd., St. Charles

Nickelodeon Getaway: Double your points & family fun with Nickelodeon Your Stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Bring the kids and enjoy a fun staycation. At the Fairfield Inn & Suites St. Charles, you can plan a great getaway at great discount prices while doubling your Marriott Rewards points. Take advantage of rates starting at $84 with your choice of king or double/double room, or upgrade to a suite for only $10 more. 

The rate includes deluxe continental breakfast, complimentary high speed Internet, indoor pool and spa, Nick Your Stay activity book, activity placemat, Nickelodeon bracelet, (one) Sponge Bob cinch backpack filled with (one) splash ball, (one) sunglasses and (one) 3-D Sponge Bob! *$10 For each additional Sponge Bob cinch backpack with splash ball, sunglasses and 3-D Sponge Bob.

Book online at www.marriott.com/chicr  - Group code SPR or call 630- 845-5500 and mention Spring Break Special when booking your reservation. The offer is valid March 1 through April 3.

—15 S. River Ln., Geneva

Downtown Geneva Staycation for $139 plus tax. The getaway includes a room with two double beds, milk and cookies delivered during nightly turndown service, and a complimentary European-style continental breakfast buffet in the morning. The offer is based on availability of standard room type and only valid on new reservations. Call Jennifer 630-208-7433 Ext. 509. 

—4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles

• Mardi Gras Getaway. You don't have to go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Pheasant Run's own cobblestone Bourbon Street replicates the excitement every Saturday in March. Special Mardi Gras mask and bead making is available at Craft Corner on Saturday afternoons. Make sure to join the fun on Saturday nights for an authentic Second Line Parade throughout the resort's hot spots and watch as Bourbon Street comes alive with a caricature artist, balloon artist, stilt walker, tarot card reader and much more. All from $119.
• Princess & Pirate Spring Break Getaway. Join us this Spring Break for a Princess & Pirates themed getaway the whole family will enjoy. Participate in fun activities for boys and girls including daily family movies, princess parade & tea party, mini nail polish changes by the Mario Tricoci Salon & Spa, make a princess bracelet and decorate tiaras, cookie decorating, listen to a storyteller, treasure hunts, make your own pirate hat, ice cream eating contest, ship races in the indoor "oceans" of Pheasant Run, access to resort amenities including three pools, fitness center, Kids Klub and more. Available March 25-26 and April 1-2, starting from $109.
• Spring "Breaks" Package. Get away with the family this spring for a fun family staycation at Pheasant Run Resort. This package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, games and crafts at craft corner, $25 food voucher good for any of Pheasant Run restaurant, access to water volleyball, Guitar Hero station, three pools, fitness center, kids klub and more. Available April 1 through May 22, starting from $109.

Call 630-584-6300 for more details or to make your reservation for any of these packages.