hotels.com Highlights Top Five Cities for Mardi Gras Parades and Parties

DALLAS, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fat Tuesday is less than two weeks away and hotels.com® is highlighting the top five cities for travelers to partake in the best parades and parties with its Mardi Gras sale. From New Orleans to San Diego, cities hosting Mardi Gras galas will be draped in hues of purple, green, and gold. Party-goers can save up to 30% on hotel deals if they book by March 8 for travel during February 25 – March 9.

"Celebrating Mardi Gras is a great reason to pack your bags and break the spell of cabin fever," says Taylor L. Cole, APR, director of public relations and social media for hotels.com. "With our Mardi Gras sale, travelers can save and also explore towns that have great atmosphere and energy during this holiday."

New Orleans, Louisiana

Also known as The Crescent City, New Orleans is home to the largest and most well-known Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. Travelers can find rooms and for as low as $69 a night and free continental breakfasts at the Ambassador Hotel New Orleans and the Queen & Crescent Hotel. The former is also a three-star property and has a rate of $112 per room on Fat Tuesday, reflecting a savings of 20 percent.

St. Louis, Missouri

Home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the Midwest, St. Louis offers travelers an array of choices to indulge all five senses. From all-you-can-eat buffets to live bands, this town puts on a parade that is sure to excite the crowd on Fat Tuesday. Travelers looking to grab a great deal should stay at the four-star Moonrise Hotel where rooms start at $119 a night. For those looking to snag a deal for under $100, the Millennium Hotel St. Louis has rooms starting at $79 a night.

San Diego, California

Celebrating its 17th annual Mardi Gras gala, San Diego gives New Orleans a run for their money when vying for the wildest party on March 8. From parades to fire performers, Gaslamp Quarter is strictly off-limits to those under 21 years of age. Travelers heading out west for the hottest party on this side of the Pacific should rest at the three-and-a half star Welk Resort San Diego before and after the festivities. Rooms start at $139 per night – a 25% savings.

Mobile, Alabama

Miles away from The Big Easy, Mobile boasts the longest Mardi Gras celebration with festivities having started on January 6. The Mobile Carnival Museum chronicles the first celebration of Fat Tuesday that occurred in 1703. This year's activities include family-friendly events to the Conde Cavaliers parade. Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Mobile West where rooms start at $139 a night.

Miami, Florida

East of The Crescent City is Miami, another hot destination for Mardi Gras revelers to enjoy the festivities. After a night of celebration in sultry South Beach, travelers can opt to explore or relax in splendor when staying at the four-and-a-half star EPIC Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel, for $293 a night. For party-goers looking to save on accommodations, the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club has rates starting at $86.

All deals subject to availability. To book your hotel room to enjoy the festivities, visit www.hotels.com or call 1-800-2-hotels. Other news available at our media room http://hotels.mediaroom.com/.

About hotels.com

Hotels.com® is a leading provider of lodging worldwide, offering more than 130,000 properties in over 60 countries from national chain hotels and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts. Hotels.com is the smarter way to book travel by offering  welcomerewards®, an industry leading loyalty rewards program; the real opinions of other travelers captured in over 1.5 million Guest Reviews and;  a Price Match Guarantee, so that those booking with hotels.com can be assured they are getting the best deal, either online or by speaking directly to a travel expert at 1-800-2-HOTELS 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit hotels.com. Hotels.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE). Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hotelsdotcom and Twitter via www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom or visit the hotels.com Travel Smart Blog for consumer and business travel information. Get clayed at http://www.clayyourself.com. Detailed Hotel Price Index data is available at: http://www.hotel-price-index.com, hotels.com, A Smarter Way to Book™.

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