Kids-go-free deals galore for midterm

IT'S A FREE WORLD:MIDTERM BREAK is nearly upon us (October 31st to November 4th) and a number of Irish hotels are offering packages that include kids-go-free deals or complimentary extra-curricular activities.

At Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, children under 10 go free on a B&B basis when you book two nights at €159 per person sharing. This includes dinner at the award winning La Fougère restaurant for the parents. For more information see khh.ie.

A night’s accommodation in a family room in a Bewley’s hotel in Dublin for two adults and two children under 12 costs from €99, including breakfast and you get free entry into a choice of family attractions including Dublin Zoo, the National Aquatic Centre and the Dublin Sightseeing Bus Tour. See bewleys.com.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Spa in Sligo is offering two nights accommodation with a buffet breakfast each morning and dinner on a night of your choice in the Classiebawn Restaurant with kids staying free in a parent’s room from just €125 per adult sharing. There’s also a third night available midweek for free and complimentary access to the leisure centre. For more information, see radissonblu.ie.

At the Twelve Hotel in Bearna, Co Galway a two-night stay in a family suite for two adults and two children with a cooked breakfast each morning is available from €590. On the first morning the kids can visit The Twelve’s on-site bakery and learn the art of cookie making.

In the evening, there’s a free babysitting service while children watch a movie and eat popcorn and pizza. Meanwhile parents can go for a five-course wine tasting dinner in the restaurant. For more see thetwelvehotel.ie.

At Parknasilla Resort and Spa in Sneem, Co Kerry a five-night Halloween stay costs from €999 for a family of four staying in a lodge. Little horrors will be met with special Halloween treat bags on arrival before watching scary movies and trying pumpkin carving.

Family activities include tennis, swimming, fishing and treasure hunts. For more see parknasillahotel.ie.

Catch: a lot of kids-go-free deals get trickier if you have more than two children as you may not all fit into a family room and the age at which kids go free varies.

Take note:the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is offering a break focused on parents having a good time. See flynnhotels.com.

FREE ROOMand villa upgrades are being offered by Turkey holiday operator Exclusive Escapes with savings of up to 25 per cent on bookings for its 2012 coastal holidays made before October 31st.

Guests can get an automatic upgrade from a hotel room to a suite, or from a standard to a luxury villa. The offer applies to villas and rooms on the Lycian coast in southwest Turkey and includes peak season.

You can save €3,468 at Korsan Koy in August if you book two large villas – ideal for a house party during the school holidays – with a private beach front, sea kayaks and games area with pool and table tennis. Pay €6,938 per person for the first two sharing and €636 for each additional guest (villa sleeps 12). Price includes 14 nights, jeep hire, return flights to Dalaman and transfers.

Or you can save €1,040 at Villa Gunbatimi in June – a sea front villa in Kalkan ideal for two couples. Pay €2,313 per person for the first two sharing and €636 for each additional guest. Price includes 14 nights, jeep hire, return flights to Dalaman and transfers.

Exclusive Escapes’ boutique hotel offers include a saving of €925 at the Dionysos Estate in July and August – families and couples can upgrade to a private pool suite at this canyon-top hotel overlooking the Bay of Kumlubuk. Pay €1,273 for the first two sharing and €636 for each additional guest. Price includes seven nights B&B, return flights to Dalaman, transfers and a sea cruise. At the Kalkan Regency in October couples can save €462 per person and upgrade to a pool suite. Pay €2,200 per person for 14 nights BB, return flights to Dalaman, transfers, a cruise and a Turkish bath.

Catch:even with the €3,468 saving on the upgrade, a two-week stay in two villas for 12 people in Korsan Koy costs a whopping €20,268. Flights are from the UK.

Take note: see exclusiveescapes.co.uk.