How cool is this  – a new website letmego.com lets you name the price you would pay for a hotel room. How?? Well, it is the reverse of Priceline, where you bid on hotel rooms that fits your budget. At letmego.com, you name how much you’d like to pay and then hotels bid on  your business! So practically speaking, you could actually wind up with a bid that is LOWER than what you want to pay. Perfect for this economic climate.

I tried it to see what I could get and made up an upcoming trip. (The service does try to weed out “bookers” from “lookers” by asking for your credit card, but won’t charge you unless you book a room.)

I chose to to go New York City March 26-29…a three day weekend and spring break for some. I had to choose how many people were staying (5 – 2 adults and 3 kids)…what kind of hotel I wanted (Family? Casual? Historic? )…and if I wanted upscale, five star, or and economy hotel.

I  chose an upscale family hotel. Then I had to choose how much I wanted to spend for three nights in NY. I said $300 a night, thinking that this is not a great deal, but in NY this is still reasonable for five people. I was hoping to get lower. I also had to type in a time limit that I needed to hear back from any bidders. Since I wanted to write this post, I gave the bidders a mere 12 hours to respond.

There’s a small snapshot of the place I got – a Park Avenue loft for $760 for three nights – $140 under what I had bid! It is a loft so there is only one bedroom, but three beds that can sleep 6, and a kitchen, which is nice with kids. Good location.

If anyone actually uses this website, let me know. It’s always nice to pass on ways to save travel dollars.

Not my type of place to spend more than one night…nor would I bring the kids…but oh is it pretty. Enjoy and have a good weekend. www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels

As much as LA gets a bad rap and is consistently not included on any “favorite travel destination” list, I will point out some travel-worthy spots in the City of Angels, for OUR little angels.I am focusing on places that roll out the red carpet for kids in LA…since family travel is my bag. Some of these places may surprise you…

But this one is obvious : Hit the Beach - No trip to So Cal is complete without getting a little sand between your toes. If only more people did this, there would be fewer shrinks in this town.

–Malibu: Malibu LagoonState Beach right on Cross Creek Rd. My favorite beach for families. Wetlands and a small quaint little beach..as long as you don’t veer too far.

The tidepools keep the kids busy, and the waves are gentle enough you don’t have to worry too much with kids who can swim – but when they break farther out it’s great for boogie boarding. Right across the street is the Malibu Country Mart for great sandwiches.

–Santa Monica: Rent bikes at Perry’s Cafe and Rentals and ride 22 miles (or part of the way) along the beachfront bike path. NOT  just your average day on the beach, a very scenic ride passing Venice Beach performers, and the acrobats on the rings near Santa Monica pier.. It is an awesome way to spend the day.  If you have real little ones you can also rent a carriage to connect to a bike. Perry’s: 1200 Palisades Road 310 939-0000

–Holmby Park  & Pitch and Putt: This is a hidden gem that very few people know about. Beautiful in spring when all the jacaranda are in bloom…and such a peaceful, quiet place for Los Angeles because it is a ways back from any main road. Great little put put course, 18 holes, and depending on skill level of your child, I would say it is appropriate for most kids up to 10. Longest hole is something like 62 yards. Parents can work on their short game while your up and coming Phil Mickelson is going for par. Green fees for kids: $2.00

Malibu horseback riding: Park Place Stables. Truly a special experience – learn to ride or just enjoy while guides take you through the Santa Monica mountains or along the beach. And how would you love to get a glimpse of the sun coming up while riding on the sand? Park Place offers sunrise and moonlight rides for that only in CA experience. www.maliburiding.com

Will Rogers Park: in Pacific Palisades….great big field for kids to play football, Frisbee, soccer, whatever. Pack a lunch, hike in the hills, and relax on a blanket. There aren’t many parks with this much open space. Some days you may even catch a polo match. 310 454-8212.

Both the Getty Museum in Brentwood…and the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades have terrific activities for kids.

The gardens at the Getty are beautiful and kids will have a place to run around and burn off some energy also.

The California Science Center -engaging and interactive displays ranging from the watching baby chicks hatch… to playing sports in front of a green screen. Learning is snuck in. IMAX theater also. www.californiasciencecenter.org

The new Griffith Observatory – Go at night for the Public Star Watching Parties! Cool huh?Families look through telescopes with the help of professional astronomers to see small planets, the moon, and other celestial bodies.  If you skip the nighttime act, and want to see the observatory by day, it is more suited to older kids. www.griffithobs.com

–There is nothing quite like a Dodger game on a warm Los Angeles summer evening. Can’t put my finger on exactly why. Dodger stadium isn’t even the nicest facility around…and you have to plan for traffic when you go…but the Dodger dogs are still good… and Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw are even better (And some might say Manny..) Go to Craigs List a day or two before the game for $10 tickets.

–Universal Studios – A taste of movie making. Most perfect for the 11 year old boy…entertaining tours and fun rides. Pack the sunscreen. Inside look at how movies are made..tour real sets and see special effects.

–Sprinkles:  When the cupcake craze hit, this was one of the first to hit LA, and I have to say it is still my favorite, I am convinced they put nicotine in the frosting. Pricy little petite cakes, but they even sell cupcakes for your dog if you travel with Fido. In Beverly Hills on Little Santa Monica Blvd.

This weekend, my husband is going on a boys trip to Sin City and asked if I knew of any hotel deals in Vegas.

Almost every traveler in the know has read about how Vegas is the great value right now thanks to the new 6,000 rooms added in City Centre, and the decrease in travel (even for conventions.) But I had to check if any of these deals are available for a last minute bookings.

At Aria in the brand new City Centre, I found an average room rate of $205 checking in Friday 3/5 and checking out Monday 3/8.

BUT – added to that is a $75 resort credit that can be applied to food, gambling, room cost, or entertainment. That makes the room cost more like $180 a night.

On weekdays, it is a better deal: rooms for $149 with the same $75 resort fee – this deal lasts until May.

I thought I could find better and I did.

Yes, it would be fun to stay at the new place in Vegas, but if you’d rather spend your money on the craps table, here are some options – and remember these are all last minute for this weekend. Planning ahead does save you more:

Circus Circus: Average for the three nights 3/5-3/8 = $56!!

Planet Hollywood: Average $111 a night.

MGM Grand: Average $70 a night.

Mandalay Bay: Average $100 a night.

These prices are for your most basic room for two people.

TIP: When booking last minute call the hotel directly. If they still have rooms left they sometimes  lower the prices. I tried calling a couple hotels mentioned above to see if I could get a better rate, and didn’t have any luck – but trying closer to the date of travel could bring greater success.

And how’s this for a final twist: According to reports,  Aria is the largest LEED certified building in the world…and one of the first LEED certified hotels in Vegas. Nice to see a little conservation in a town of indulgence where green usually refers to the color of money…