You don’t have to trot the globe to be an eco-friendly traveler. While green travel usually is associated with visits to tropical retreats in places like Costa Rica or Belize, it’s possible to be a responsible guest much closer to home.   Country Inns & Suites new property in Tuscon, AZ is a great example of how you can live green a bit closer to home.  Read on for more details about this exciting new property, and information about what you can do as a hotel guest to positively impact the environment!
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Last month we ran some great hot weekend rates – and I’m excited to announce that we’ll be doing it again for select dates / select locations in March!  Visit http://www.countryinns.com/weekendrates to book your weekend away, today!

I love this Country!
~Emily

Sometimes life turns on a footlocker. At least it did for Jerry Swanson of San Luis Obispo, California. In 2002, the newly retired Swanson was tossing out old papers when he discovered a footlocker containing Air Force orders from 1958–59, when he’d been stationed at a small base near Nashville, Tennessee. Memories of good times with good friends flooded back. Swanson decided it was time to reconnect.   By Melany Klinck
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Back by popular demand, our fabulous spring promotion, 1-2-Freee! is here once again.

Visit our website to learn all about this great offer, and book your getaway.

1-2-Freee!  It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Stay tuned for some fun details as they unfold!
~Emily

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, our loyalty program goldpointsplus has partnered with FTD Flowers to come up wtih a great offer –  for a limited time, goldpoints plus members receive 20% off FTD purchases!

First – Join and access discount via www.goldpointsplus.com. 

Second – join gpp or log in —  and say I love you with a special deal on a beautiful floral arrangement for somebody special.

I love this Country!
~Emily

I’m thrilled to announce our new $80 Weekend Nights program for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson! 

Book a Friday and/or Saturday night stay in February at select Country Inns & Suites By Carlson℠ hotels and enjoy nightly rates* under $80.  But hurry, these deals are going fast!

Click here to view all Country Inns & Suites with weekend rates under $80 in North America!

 Click here to view all Country Inns & Suites with weekend rates under $80!

Its not too late to plan a getaway.  I love this Country!
~Emily

Central Florida’s state parks provide a unique opportunity to see Florida manatees both in rehabilitation and in their natural habitats. At Homosassa Springs and Blue Springs State Parks, visitors can learn more about these gentle giants. By Renée Zenaida
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Hey bloggers, are you attending BLISSDOM 2010 in Nashville?  I’ve got the scoop on some great goings-on in nearby Goodlettsville, TN.

First off — I’m proud to be the host of the Country {Inn}troductions after-party at the Goodlettsville, TN location (pictured above).   The party takes place on Thursday, February 4th, after the day’s conference wraps up.  We’ll run a shuttle back and forth between the conference site and the hotel, where we’ll be hanging out at the hotel — mixing, mingling and talking about social media.  The party is hosted by yours truly – Emily — with co-hosts Jyl and Kelli.  You can RSVP for the party by visiting Jyl’s blog, and when you arrive and check in via 4square, you’ll be automatically registered to win some great prizes from Jyl and Kelli – in particular, our GRAND prize, a 2-night stay, valid at any Country Inns & Suites By Carlson property, courtesy of yours truly, Emily.

Just wait — it gets better.  For those of you looking to save a little money on this year’s trip to Blissdom, we invite you to stay at the Country Inns & Suites in Goodlettsville, TN at a special discounted rate of only $69.99 per night for up to four adults. We also offer free parking, free high-speed internet, free continental breakfast and complimentary fresh baked cookies upon arrival!

For more information about our Goodlettsville property, visit us at http://www.countryinns.com/hotels/tngoodle, or call (615) 851-4444 to book your stay today!

The event will feature food and beverage by some friends of Kelli and Jyl – Cahuga Winery, Firefly Vodka, Steaz teas, Sweetbird smoothies, CountryBob’s BBQ sauce… and the neighboring TGIFridays!  We’ll gab and giggle and sip and munch throughout the night.

A shuttle will be provided between the conference site and the hotel, running every 45 minutes starting at 6:45.  So go register today!

I can’t wait to meet so many of you superbloggers that I’ve been tweeting and emailing with for the past few months.  I have a lot to discuss, and am looking forward to learning from each and every one of you!

Happy Travels!
~Emily

 *This special rate is not available online, so to schedule your stay please call (615) 851-4444 and request the Blissdom Discount.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Lexington Park, MD
44941 Worth Lane
California, MD 20619
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As many of you know, we celebrated our descent into the city that never sleeps this week — the GRAND OPENING of our Queens property was on Friday, and WOW, was it a good time.   This spacious hotel is located in an emerging arts community,  just 1 block from the subway where you can catch a 5 minute ride into the heart of Times Square.  And the timing couldn’t be better: today we kick off our fall social media campaign, where we’ll follow some of our super-bloggin’ friends as they “retreat and refresh themselves” across the country, enjoying various local flavors and destinations near some of our favorite Country Inn & Suites By Carlson locales.

Tomorrow night: join our Working Mother Magazine Twitter Party and chime in as we discuss how busy moms indulge in “me time.”  Working Mother will moderate the conversation, handing out prizes throughout the hour-long affair, and we’ll conclude by announcing one lucky winner of “The Ultimate Retreat,” courtesy of yours truly.    Ultimate Retreat includes a 2-night voucher good at ANY Country Inn & Suites property, an airline voucher, and a $100 Visa gift card.  Ladies, think of it — 2 nights without kids or husbands, with your girlfriends or alone.  Enjoy a manicure, a massage, a movie or whatever you consider your ideal “me time,” compliments of the Country Inns & Suite By Carlson family.

This week, we’ve got several of our favorite ladies heading to Queens — follow Zippy and Shannon as they each head to the Big Apple to “Retreat and Refresh” for a few days. 

I love this Country!
~Emily