Image courtesy Hawks Cay
By Maryann Hammers
Hawks Cay Resort, a four-diamond tropical island resort in the Florida Keys halfway between Key Largo and Key West, holds its eighth annual Heroes Salute program, Aug. 15 through Nov. 21, 2016. Active and retired members of the military enjoy steeply discounted room rates starting at $129, plus discounts on spa treatments, dining, activities, and events. The 60-acre resort offers activities including diving, kayaking, kiteboarding, standup paddleboarding, tennis, and Segway tours. The resort has 177 guestrooms, 225 two- and three-bedroom villas, a full-service marina, six restaurants, a saltwater lagoon, five swimming pools, kid and teen clubs, and a spa. The Heroes Salute Weekend, with live music, fireworks, food, activities, and a special tribute ceremony takes place Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-4. The resort also will hold weekly ceremonies to honor fallen military heroes and those still serving. Call (866) 525-5368.
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Lemon Tree Inn in Naples welcomes active duty U.S. servicemembers with 25-percent off the best available rate. The 34-room hotel is steps from the high-end shops of Fifth Avenue South and eight blocks from Gulf Shore beaches. Daily continental breakfast is included. Call (888) 800-5366 for information; use the code MRR when booking online.
Marriott Vacation Club — including resorts in Florida’s most popular destinations — offers active duty, National Guard, and retired U.S. military members a 15-percent discount. Participating Marriott Vacation Club resorts are located in Fort Lauderdale, Marco Island, Miami, Miami Beach, Orlando, Palm Beach Shores, Panama City, and Riviera Beach. The offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2016. Call (800) 845-5279, or book online using code XYD.
RLHC (as the Red Lion hotel chain is called) offers military savings up to 30 percent at more than 130 properties throughout the country. In Florida, you can stay at the Red Lion Hotel Jacksonville (call [904] 281-9700) or the Red Lion Hotel Orlando near Disney World (call [407] 396-7300). Use code MIL when booking online to ensure you get the military price.
StaySky Resorts & Hotels, a six-hotel chain, offers up to a 20-percent military discount. The offer is valid at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa in Orlando (call [866] 756-3778), The Enclave Hotel & Suites in Orlando (call [800] 457-0077), staySky Suites in Orlando (call [800] 228-2027), Hawthorn Suites Lake Buena Vista in Orlando (call [866] 756-3778), Coral Cay Resort in Kissimmee (call [866] 357-3682), and Hawaiian Inn Beach Resort in Daytona Beach Shores (call [800] 922-3023).