A Room With an Ocean View

I'll admit it. Around this time of year, while everyone else is putting up holiday decorations and fighting the crowds at the stores, I fantasize about sneaking away for a few days. That's why, while I was supposed to be shopping for my sister's present, this last-minute deal caught my eye.

Hotel Casa del Mar, a luxury hotel right on the Santa Monica beach, is offering a 30 to 40 percent discount for the last two weeks of the year on oceanfront rooms -- prime rooms that don't see discounts very often. You can even finish your shopping at the 3rd Street Promenade. If you feel like leaving your private poolside cabana.

I'd suggest returning after the wrapping paper is thrown away and the decorations are back in the attic. Bah, humbug.

A few details:

Hotel Casa del Mar is located in Santa Monica, California, on the boardwalk, a couple blocks from the Santa Monica Pier, and a bike ride away from Venice Beach.

Standard ocean view rooms are offered at $180 off regular rates. The special rate is $425 per night verses $605 per night, not inclusive of taxes. This represents a savings of 30 percent.

Families can spread out in an ocean view suite for $850 per night versus $1500 per night, not inclusive of taxes. This represents a savings of over 40 percent.

The offers are valid from December 15 - December 30, 2005.

No minimum night stay is required.

From December 4, United Airlines is offering a roundtrip direct flight from JFK to LAX for less than $300.

Guests can indulge in the new Spa at Casa Del Mar as well as tryout new Segway scooters along the boardwalk.

To book a reservation, please call 800-898-6999.