AUSTIN, TEXAS—As the price of gas approaches $4 per gallon in parts of the country, travelers are taking notice. For the fifth year in a row, BedandBreakfast.com members are putting money where guests need it most—in their gas tanks. Guests who fill up on hearty breakfasts at participating B&Bs will find themselves treated to their own fill-up through the BedandBreakfast.com “Tanks a Lot!” promotion, in which inns offer free gas to B&B travelers. Knowing that travelers are increasingly interested in traveling green, BedandBreakfast.com members have crafted a number of creative offers to reward guests for conserving gas and to say “Tank You” for traveling.
B&Bs in more than 40 states, the Caribbean Islands and three Canadian provinces have created more than 150 money-saving deals for inngoers. For a complete list of inns participating in the BedandBreakfast.com “Tanks a Lot!” promotion, go to www.BedandBreakfast.com and click Free Gas Promotion in the lower left corner of the screen.
Here are a few examples of eco-friendly Tanks a Lot! promotions, listed alphabetically by state.
• The Colonial Terrace, Carmel, Calif.: Eco-friendly vehicles are wanted at this charming inn, just one block from Carmel Beach. Through the end of June, arrive in a hybrid vehicle, Sunday through Thursday, and receive $25 off the total bill to put toward gas.
• The Ruby of Crested Butte, Crested Butte, Colo.: Red is the new green here. Two AARP member couples carpooling and staying two nights, Sunday through Thursday between April 1 and June 30, will receive two ruby red hot deals to reward their green efforts, including two $25 gas cards plus an extra 5 percent discount if the couples arrive in a hybrid vehicle or fuel-efficient equivalent.
• Island Goode’s, Hilo, Hawaii: Look forward to fresh produce grown on this eight-acre estate, plus solar-heated water at this eco-friendly inn. Book two nights and get a $25 credit toward auto or travel expenses; stay four nights and get a $50 credit. Call for a free airport pickup, and ride green in the inn’s 2006 Toyota Prius (47 mpg).
• Pilgrim’s Inn and Cottages, Deer Isle, Maine: As an Environmental Leader in Maine’s hospitality industry, this inn is working hard to reduce its impact on the environment and wants to reward guests who are doing their part by driving hybrid vehicles. Now through October 18, guests arriving in a hybrid vehicle will receive a deduction in their lodging bill up to $40 for a tank of gas.
• White Swan Inn, Whitehall, Mich.: Now through June, stay two nights, bring a grocery bag of non-perishable food items or personal care products for the local food pantry, and receive a $40 discount on the bill to help with gas. Mention “Fuel and Food” when making your reservation.
• Inn at Ellis River, Jackson, N.H.: Burn wood, not gas. Stay two or more nights in a fireplace room anytime between April and July, and receive a refund up to $50, figured by the distance traveled at 25 mpg fuel usage. Stay a third night, and a complimentary three-course dinner for two will fuel you up.
• Wilder Farm Inn, Waitsfield, Vt.: Vermont is French for “green mountain”, and you can keep it that way by carpooling or driving a hybrid to Wilder Farm. Stay two nights at the regular price now through July and each additional night is $100; save an additional $10 if you drive a hybrid or carpool with friends who are also staying there.
• Floating Feather Inn, Ocean Shores, Wash.: Now through June 15, receive $25 for every two-consecutive-night stay. Bring a bike, kayak or kite board for some eco-adventure or car pool as a group of four or more and receive $50 to offset gas costs. Book three or more rooms plus carpool and receive $75 for travel costs.
• Gillum House, Shinneston, W.V.: Stay two consecutive nights at the regular rate through the end of August and pay no more than $2.25 per gallon for gas at the local Go-Mart for up to 15 gallons of gas. The inn will pick up the rest. Plus, bring five cans of food for the local food pantry, and receive $15 in Jimmy’s Diner dollars.
• Red Forest B&B, Two Rivers, Wisc.: From May 25-October 14, take advantage of the Carless B&B Getaway, including two roundtrip Lake Michigan “bike and passenger” ferry tickets, two nights’ lodging including a full breakfast each morning, and two certificates for a hot fudge sundae to fuel up during your stay, all for $399 per couple including all taxes.
• Ocean Wilderness Inn, Sooke, B.C., Canada: Stay for two nights, Sunday to Thursday through June, and receive a $25 reduction off lodging costs to put into your tank. You get to relax, rather than drive out one day and back the next. Stay a third night, and a $25 contribution will be made to the David Suzuki Foundation, to support its work in solving global warming.
