Visit sogocountry.com for more information and to book your stay.

Beautiful neighborhoods, forests and a stunning waterfront are the icing on the cake for this city with plenty of historical patina. Tour the factory where Louisville Slugger baseball bats are made, watch the ponies at Churchill Downs, or take a stroll through one of the many beautiful urban parks.

During your visit, stay at one of the Country Inns & Suites properties conveniently located near the airport, Fort Knox or Churchill Downs.

The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Louisville Airport North offers great amenities, including an indoor pool, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a free hot breakfast each day. This aiport hotelis also close to Churchill downs and Six Flags, and offers a fitness center, an airport shuttle and comfortable accommodations that help you relax.

Two more hotels—Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in East Louisville and South Louisville — both offer indoor pools and complimentary high speed Internet access. The properties also have comfortable rooms and suites for every occasion, freehot breakfast, fitness centers and more.

How’s your short game coming along? Show off your fairway skills by treating yourself to a hotel and golf Package at a Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM. Book the Golf Package for stays between now and Dec. 31, 2012, at participating hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and enjoy greens fees for two for 18 holes and cart rental at a local golf course, along with our everyday amenities including:
• Hot complimentary breakfast (at select locations)
• Free High-speed Internet
• Workout facility
• Business Center
• Free weekday newspaper
• Free freshly baked cookies
• Read It & Return Lending Library^SM
• Swimming pool

Check availability today for your next vacation destination, and enjoy this great offer. Plus, Club Carlson members can also earn 1,000 bonus Gold Points by booking online at www.countryinns.com.

Whether you’re a skier or snowboarder, book a hotel Ski Package between now and Dec. 31, 2012 at participating hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and enjoy lift tickets for two at a local ski area plus all of our everyday amenities*, including:

• Hot complimentary breakfast—now available on classic diningware at select locations.
• Free high-speed Internet.
• Workout facility.
• Business Center.
• Free weekday newspaper.
• Free freshly baked cookies.
• Read It & Return Lending Library.
• Swimming pool.

Plus, Club Carlson members can also earn up to 1,000 bonus Gold Points by booking their Ski Package online at countryinns.com or clubcarlson.com!

See you on the slopes!

*Please note, amenities and package offerings vary by location

Orlando is a city that rarely sleeps or even stops to take a breath, as the bustling and eclectic nightlife scenes in downtown Orlando and downtown Disney area no doubt attest. Even more well known is that the greater Orlando area holds the mantle of being one of the world’s premier tourist destinations, from swan boats and Clydesdales to oranges and alligators.

Attractions, thrill rides, restaurants, comedy clubs, theme parks: whether you’re talking about Universal Studios, SeaWorld Adventure Park or any of the four theme parks of the Walt Disney World Resort, there’s always something magical in the air.

During your visit, stay at one of the Country Inns & Suites properties conveniently located near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Orlando-Maingate at Calypso offers countless amenities, including three heated pools, an 18-hole mini-golf course, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a free hot breakfast each day. This hotel, near Walt Disney World Resort, also offers a fitness center, two hot tubs, laundry facilities and a game room to help make your Florida vacation unforgettable. A free shuttle to area theme parks is also available.

The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Orlando Universal near Universal Studios,  SeaWorld and Walt Disney World Resort offers a convenient, scheduled shuttle for guests. The property also has rooms and suites for every occasion, a complimentary hot breakfast, outdoor pool, boardroom, fitness center and more.

According to the Association of Bridal Consultants, February is also recognized as National Weddings Month. But, while few couples actually get married during February, many brides and grooms are knee-deep in last-minute preparations for their spring and summer fairytales.

With National Weddings Month in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson’s best hotel wedding packages—some complete with personalized assistance, professional catering, elegant banquet space and overnight accommodations—for planning your special day.

Bothell, WA:
Your wedding should reflect your dreams, so whether it is a grand affair for 150 or an intimate ceremony for 10, the exceptional staff at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bothell, WA promises you a flawless reception. Offering quality cuisine and service coupled with comfortable accommodations and numerous amenities, this location prides itself on creating a warm and friendly atmosphere with special attention to the smallest detail to ensure that the wedding of your dreams will be a complete success. The wedding package includes banquet tables and chairs, champagne or sparkling cider toast, complimentary suite for the bride and groom on wedding night (with chocolate-covered strawberries waiting in the room), discounted room rates for out-of-town guests and much more.

Deer Valley, AZ:
The banquet space at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Deer Valley, AZ can accommodate a quaint wedding reception of 30 to 80 guests.  Multiple seating arrangements and catering menu options are available. And, when you book your wedding guests’ accommodations you will receive a complimentary customized web page complete with event details, bridal gift registry information, driving directions and more.

San Diego, CA:
The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, San Diego North, CA is pleased to offer three different wedding packages (Moments in Time, Simply Elegant and Treasured Dreams), so you can choose the plan that best fits your budget and vision for your big day. Each package includes professional cake cutting service, champagne or sparkling cider toast, coffee station, deluxe accommodations for the bride and groom, special group rates for guests, decorated head table, white linens and parquet dance floor.

Raleigh, N.C.:
The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Raleigh-Durham Airport, NC employs an experienced team of professionals who work tirelessly to provide wedding guests with the event of a lifetime. This location also offers a unique wedding package that includes ballroom rental (2,100 square feet), complimentary stay in the Honeymoon Suite on the wedding night (along with champagne and chocolates), group rates for wedding party/attendees, transportation to RDU Airport and complimentary parking at the hotel for the duration of the honeymoon.

Check availability at your preferred destination and discover what it is offering for a Romance Package.

Sight Hound
by Pam Houston
Dog lovers in particular will be charmed by Pam Houston’s debut novel (she has previously published short story collections). Rae is a Colorado playwright who is learning about hope, love and faith from an unlikely source—her Irish wolfhound, Dante. Though Dante is diagnosed with bone cancer and loses a leg, his strength and serenity impacts everyone in Rae’s life.

Each chapter is narrated by a different character in the story, including animals. Rae’s complicated life is anchored by Dante and, in his own chapter, he offers insight into how he wants Rae to learn to trust love and keep hope alive in a world without him.

Crashing Through: A Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See
by Robert Kurson
Mike May lost his sight at age three, but thanks to a revolutionary stem-cell and cornea transplant, he regained his vision at age 46. After decades of blindness, he embarks on a physical and emotional journey as he adjusts to his ability to see.

Although this is a true story, May’s life seems at times unbelievable. He was a CIA analyst, champion skier and entrepreneur before ever undergoing the procedure. As he weighs the physical risks of the transplant, he also struggles with how his identity and self-image are changed.

Shem Creek: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorthea Benton Frank
If you’re in the mood for a good narrative, try this one from Frank’s Lowcountry Tales series. Linda Breland is a single mother who decides to pack up and move, along with her two teenage daughters, from New Jersey to Mount Pleasant, S.C. Her sister Mimi is waiting with open arms and endless advice for the three women.

Linda is hired to work at a local restaurant, and the owner seems like a refreshing departure from the men she left in New Jersey. The story unfolds as the likeable cast of characters all learn to depend on one another and find a new life together in this small Southern town.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bloomington, MN
Spend the weekend taking on America’s largest mall, the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. With more than 400 stores to explore, you should have no problem finding that perfect gift. The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bloomington’s “Shop ’Til You Drop” package includes a Mall of America coupon book, shopping bag (to fill up with all your great purchases) and two bottles of water to quench your thirst while power shopping.

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bothell, WA
For shoppers on the hunt for deals in the Pacific Northwest, look no further than the Country Inn & Suites, Bothell, near Seattle. This package includes a $10 dining voucher for room service, discount coupons to Country Village Shops and Seattle Premium Outlets and a pedicure at Blooming Nails & Spa (because your feet are going to be super tired). And don’t forget, after you’ve had your fill at the mall and the spa, make sure to relax your mind and body in your room (or upgrade to a suite)—where else are you going to store all your shopping bags?

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Deer Valley, AZ
Shopping isn’t a treat for everyone. Which is why Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Deer Valley (outside of Phoenix) wants to help you make it an enjoyable experience. Their shopping package comes with an Arrowhead Towne Center goody bag that includes a $40 gift certificate to spend anywhere in the mall! And when you’re all shopped out, the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service will pick you up and bring you back to your room where you can relax and take a dip in the heated pool and whirlpool.

Westfield Mall in San Diego
Marathon shoppers will be in heaven at Westfield Mall in San Diego. With 114 stores, including Macy’s, Nordstrom and the Apple Store, you’ll have no problem finding something for everyone on your list.

The shopping package from Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, San Diego North, makes your day even sweeter with a $100 gift card to the mall and a welcome bag with an energy bar, bottled water and more! A complimentary shuttle with take you from the hotel to the mall and back.

Legends Outlets in Kansas City
See the savings stack up at Legends Outlets in Kansas City. The stores and restaurants stretch over 1.2 million square feet! Your shopping package from Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Kansas City at Village West includes a $50 gift card you can use at any of the stores or restaurants. After a day of exploring Legends, rest your tired feel at the hotel’s heated indoor pool and hot tub.

Shop Your Style in Covington, LA
Browse through the antique shops in search of a one-of-a-kind gift, or hit the new shopping districts for the latest designer fashions. Your shopping package from the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Covington, LA, includes a $50 Visa Gift Card you can spend wherever you’d like. The hotel is convenient to fantastic shopping, and you’ll get coupons and shopping guides to help you navigate the deals. Warm chocolate chip cookies will be waiting upon your return. And you’ll have plenty of room for all of those shopping bags in your upgraded suite.