Forget the standard percentage-off deals. This summer, the top hotel deals are throwing in things like free nights, free food — and yes, even free water park tickets.
Perhaps rising travel costs, particularly when it comes to the cost of dining out, has something to do with it (yes, restaurant prices in the U.S. are up on 4% in May 2025 versus May 2024, which is an even faster pace than the overall 2.4% rate of inflation).
Want to hear even more about hotel deals? Tune into the Summer Travel episode of NerdWallet’s Smart Travel podcast:
Meanwhile, hotels are also getting more creative with perks to cater to travelers who crave experiences that are both memorable and Instagrammable. So whether you’re after a killer deal or just something totally unique, here are the top hotel deals worth snagging for summer 2025:
Book three or more nights in a one-bedroom Arbor Villa and save 20%. Villas include a kitchenette, living room, and washer/dryer — ideal for families. On-site amenities include pools, kayaking, tennis and the region’s only Nicklaus-designed golf course.
Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole, WY: National parks package
The lobby at Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa)
Stay four nights and receive a $150 dining credit, $100 spa credit, and a free National Parks Pass. The offer runs June 1 to Sept. 30, 2025, and it includes donations to Grand Teton and Yellowstone park foundations.
Hotel Terra & Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa: Stay 4 nights, pay for 3
(Photo courtesy of Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa)
Hotel Terra has a modern mountain design with a a rooftop spa. Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa features its own fancy spa, SpaTerre, plus expansive suites with fireplaces and award-winning dining at Spur Restaurant & Bar. Both resorts have outdoor pools and hot tubs with panoramic valley views.
Freebies every day at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
An Ocean View room at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani. (Photo by Sally French)
Now through Aug. 31, 2025, guests at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, get all sorts of freebies, including classes and sweet treats.
It’s part of a campaign called “Sunshine Perks,” where every day guests get something new. Exact offerings vary by day, but some highlighs include:
Tuesdays: Free shave ice from 3 to 4 p.m. at the pool deck.
Thursdays: Free wine from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for guests 21 and up in the lobby.
Fridays: Free ice cream crafted at Halekulani Bakery by Pastry Chef Michelle Baldomero from 2 to 3 p.m. in the lobby.
And that’s not their only offer this summer. For stays between Aug. 18 through Sept. 30, you can get a fourth night free with a three-night stay. Plus, you’ll get a goodie bag including towels, slides and reusable water bottles.
Save up to 40% on your Kauai getaway
If you prefer an island that’s a little quieter than Oahu, head over to the Garden Isle (that’s Kauai). there, Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort is running a deal if you booked between July 11 to 18.
With it, you’ll find up to 40% off the resort’s best available rates — its biggest discount of the year — for stays during August, October, November and December 2025.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, TX: 25% off holiday stays
This deal is bookable over the summer, but is designed for stays in winter. It’s the resort’s “Christmas in July” deal. With it, you can save 25% on standard room rates when you book a stay before July 31, 2025, for visits between Nov. 16, 2025 and Jan. 4, 2026.
Holiday festivities include a Thanksgiving brunch, tree lighting and weekly “S’mores with Santa” and “Breakfast with Santa” events. On New Year’s Eve, ring in 2026 with a family-friendly party and fireworks.
The resort recently debuted five new luxury villas with four bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, private patios and exclusive villa hosts. Plus, the on-site water park is open year-round with heated pools — ideal for a winter splash.
For Disney hotels, it’s generally wise to compare prices on reputable, theme-park oriented third-party resellers, such as Undercover Tourist. Often, these sites can either match Disney’s deals — or even top them.
on Undercover Tourist®’s website
on Undercover Tourist®’s website
Types of tickets available
E-tickets or mailed tickets with free shipping.
Offers refunds and returns?
Yes.
There’s a 365-day cancellation window; Undercover Tourist will refund 95% of the total, with some exceptions.
Pros
Offers discounts on theme park tickets.
Counts as a travel purchase on credit cards.
Cons
Bigger discounts usually have more strings attached.
You can’t get a full refund.
Types of tickets available
E-tickets or mailed tickets with free shipping.
Offers refunds and returns?
Yes.
There’s a 365-day cancellation window; Undercover Tourist will refund 95% of the total, with some exceptions.
Pros
Offers discounts on theme park tickets.
Counts as a travel purchase on credit cards.
Cons
Bigger discounts usually have more strings attached.
You can’t get a full refund.
Walt Disney World in Florida: Get free water park tickets with stays at Walt Disney World hotels
Want free Disney tickets to the Walt Disney World Resort water parks? With certain hotel reservations, you’ll get them.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)
Guests who book a qualifying stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel for stays with a check-in date anytime in 2025 receive complimentary tickets to either of the two Disney water parks—Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. That’s ideal for the hot summer days (and in Orlando, practically any day can feel like summer).
Disney water park tickets typically cost about $80 per person, so this can be huge savings for families or groups who would have purchased water park admission anyway.
Just note that this benefit only works at certain Disney hotels. It also only applies on your check-in day, so plan your trip accordingly (and check-in to your hotel early to maximize the deal’s value).
Disneyland in California: Up to 25% off Disney-owned hotels
The pool at the Grand Californian Hotel. (Photo by Sally French)
Disney is offering savings of up to 20% on select rooms at a Disneyland Resort hotel, but it only applies to stays Sunday through Thursday nights (again running between May 16 and August 14, 2025). To book this deal, you need to reserve before July 31, 2025.
IHG Hotels & Resorts: Save up to 20% worldwide
IHG’s Summer Sale includes up to 20% off participating properties across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, East Asia and the Pacific.
IHG is the company behind popular hotel brands including the pet-friendly Kimpton and the luxurious InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.
Booking window: July 8-16.
Travel dates: July 11–Sept. 30.
Book at least 3 days in advance.
Cancel up to 7 days prior to avoid penalty.
By the way, it’s actually free to join IHG One Rewards — so do it to earn rewards for your stay, too.
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki.
For stays booked between now and July 28 — and for travel between July 9 and September 30, 2025 — World of Hyatt members are entitled to 25% off hundreds of hotels across the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and a few other international destinations.
Non-members get a good (but less great) 20% off. Alas, since it’s free to join World of Hyatt, there’s little reason not to sign up for the full 25% off.
Xanterra Christmas in July Sale offers saving on lodging at national parks and luxury resorts
From July 18–30, 2025, travelers can book some of the country’s most iconic hotels and experiences at deep discounts as part of the Xanterra Travel Collection® Christmas in July Sale. Whether you crave classic national parks or globe-trotting tours, here’s what’s included:
National Park Lodging Deals
Grand Canyon South Rim: Save up to 30% on hotel stays for travel Oct. 26, 2025–March 12, 2026
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel: 50% off train tickets with a 2–4-night Platinum Stay & Save package (travel July 31, 2025–March 5, 2026)
The Grand Hotel (near South Rim): Free breakfast buffet for two (travel July 31–Aug. 28, 2025)
The Oasis at Death Valley: 30% off at The Inn and The Ranch at Death Valley (travel July 31, 2025–Jan. 15, 2026)
Yellowstone National Park Lodges: Save up to 25% (travel July 16–Dec. 20, 2025)
Glacier National Park – Cedar Creek Lodge: 30% off (travel Oct. 13, 2025–March 31, 2026)
Experiential and International Travel Deals
VBT Bicycling Vacations: 5% off any 2026 biking trip (book by Oct. 16, pay in full by Oct. 30)
Country Walkers: 5% off all 2026 trips (book by Oct. 16, pay in full by Oct. 30)
Windstar Cruises: Free all-inclusive upgrade + $50 deposit per guest (for sailings through March 2026)
Holiday Vacations: Save $300 per person on select Hawaiian island tours
Sea Island, GA: Save 25% at The Cloister and The Lodge, plus a $250 resort credit (valid for Dec. 1–25, 2025 stays)
The Broadmoor, CO: Save 30% on rooms, suites and cottages (for select dates Nov. 2025–March 2026)
Mexico and the Caribbean hotel deals
Up to two kids stay free at Mexico’s ultimate eco all-inclusive
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen was always great for families, but this makes it even better. Up to two kids stay free when you book between now and July 21 for travel through Oct. 28, 2026 (blackout dates apply).
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is an all-inclusive with nearly a dozen dining experiences, a 29-slide waterpark, a swimmable cenote (essentially a natural sinkhole), river snorkeling, Broadway-style entertainment, a rescue animal barnyard and water sports like kayaking.
Resorts World Bimini, Bahamas: Package deals from $449
Starting at $449 per person, this package includes roundtrip ferry service from Fort Lauderdale and a 2- or 3-night hotel stay. Guests also gain access to a private beach, pools, shopping and a spa.
British Colonial Nassau, Bahamas: 20% off and dining credits
Use code FALLBC to save 20% and get a $50 food and beverage credit. This downtown Nassau hotel just completed a $50 million renovation. Book by Dec. 1, 2025, for travel through Dec. 31.
At the Aruba Marriott Resort, you’ll get more than just a room with a view. Their Seas the Summer offer adds thoughtful extras without touching your wallet. Basically, you’ll feel like you have the highest level of Marriott elite status (even if you don’t).
Here’s what’s included:
A room upgrade, if available.
A beach bag with aloe products, because, yes, Aruba is sunny.
The property sits right on Palm Beach, with 10 restaurants, two pools, the island’s largest spa and casino, and — of course — beach access that requires zero effort.
Book three nights or more by Sept. 30, 2025, and enter cluster code CUE to activate the offer.
Other tricks for saving money on hotels in summer 2025
No matter where you’re headed, chances are there are some loyalty points promotions, hotel deals or special offers to help you save cash or enjoy more during your trip. And if not, don’t be afraid to call the hotel and politely ask if there are any deals.
Hilton offers the fifth night free on award reservations for Hilton Honors members with Silver status or higher. When you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll get the fifth night free, no matter what level of status you have.
Book directly with the hotel
Many hotels offer better discounts when you book with them directly. For example, Ovolo Hotels is a Hong Kong-based chain (with no resort fees) operating boutique properties in Australia and Asia. Across all Ovolo properties, its perks include free breakfast, free self-service laundry, a gym, a complimentary in-room mini bar, candy in the lobby and a snack bag offered at check-in. The catch? You only get them when you book direct.
Stock prices surged 112% this year thanks to a 48% increase in sales and 83% increase in net profit U.S. government and private demand. Some on Wall Street said, “Valuation concerns are 277 times higher than PER. 1 trillion dollars in market capitalization in 2 to 3 years.”
Palantir logo
Palantir, an artificial intelligence (AI) software company, posted quarterly sales exceeding $1 billion for the first time. While stock prices have also hit record highs, Wall Street is seeing mixed forecasts on corporate value.
Palantir announced on the 4th (local time) that it recorded sales of 1.04 billion dollars (about 1.3941 trillion won) in the second quarter. This is a 48.0% increase year-on-year, the largest quarterly performance of the company.
Net profit was $405 million, up 82.7% over the same period. The EPS was $0.16, which beat market estimates by $0.14.
The strong performance is attributed to the growth of sales in the U.S. government and the private sector. Sales in the U.S. rose 68% from a year ago to $733 million.
In particular, U.S. government sales rose 53% year-on-year to $426 million thanks to President Donald Trump’s government efficiency policy. U.S. private sector sales also rose 93% to $306 million during the same period.
Palantir closed at $160.66, up 4.14% from the previous trading day, setting a new all-time high. After the earnings announcement was made, it rose more than 5% in after-hours trading.
The company raised its full-year revenue forecast for the year to $4.142 billion to $4.15 billion from $3.89 billion to $3.9 billion.
“Withstanding years of investment and external ridicule, our business growth has accelerated dramatically,” Palantir CEO Alex Karp said in a shareholder letter. “Sceptics have now lost their power and surrendered to us.”
This year, Palantir has soared 112.43% with a market capitalization of $379.1 billion. It ranks 20th among U.S. companies and 13th among global technology companies.
But on Wall Street, there are mixed views on valuations. Palantir’s 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) is about 277 times.
Except for Tesla (about 160 times) among the top 20 U.S. companies in market capitalization, it is the only company with triple digits.
Dan Ives Wedbush, an analyst with a strong technology stock, predicted that Palantir’s market capitalization could reach $1 trillion in the next two to three years. “This quarter’s performance is transformative,” Ives said, “If you add to last week’s hyperscalers’ performance, you can see that the next phase of growth in the AI revolution has just begun.”
“Palantir is on par with Nvidia and Microsoft,” he said. Regarding valuation concerns, he said, “If I had only looked at the valuation and made a judgment, I would have missed all transformative tech stocks now,” and stressed, “Palantir falls into that category.”
On the other hand, caution is also being raised. Palantir’s growth potential is great, but some point out that its stock price is too high. Goldman Sachs, UBS, Mizuho Offer ‘Negative’ Opinion To Palantir.
Mizuho said, “Government sector sales will be solid despite geopolitical uncertainties, and we could grow at least 40% per year in the short term,” but added, “We are concerned that Palantir’s valuation is significantly higher among the software industry and could be adjusted in the next few quarters.”
UBS pointed out that “the fundamentals are very impressive, but valuation is the biggest stumbling block.”
Citi, which presented a “neutral and high-risk” opinion to Palantir, said, “The expansion of AI introduction can be a positive catalyst for sales growth,” but added, “There may be limited room for further increases due to valuation concerns and the possibility of slowing performance upward.”
Uber Eats has debuted a series of artificial intelligence (AI) features for restaurants.
The new offerings, introduced last week, allow restaurants to use AI to analyze customer reviews, auto-fill menu descriptions and enhance food photos.
“We’re using AI to detect and enhance low-quality food images — improving lighting, resolution, framing, and plating — to help restaurants showcase their dishes more accurately while elevating the customer experience from discovery to checkout,” the company wrote on its blog.
The review summary feature, meanwhile, lets restaurants draw insights from customer reviews. It highlights strengths and areas for improvement. The AI-generated item descriptions can help restaurants “to complete their menus, while also helping customers feel confident in their choices,” the blog post added.
Uber Eats has also introduced new tools for customers, such as the ability to post an image of a dish they had delivered if the item does not yet have a menu image, and a tool that lets merchants chat directly with diners after an order is received.
“Live order chat can help improve order accuracy by enabling real-time communication to confirm replacements for out-of-stock items, clarify special requests, and check in on dietary or allergy preferences,” the blog post said.
Uber Eats’ increased use of AI is happening as this technology is placing a larger role in the dining industry, as covered here last month.
The smart restaurant robot industry is expected to exceed $10 billion by the the decade’s end, helped along by deployment in applications like delivery, order-taking and table service, according to Archive Market Research.
Restaurants are also using AI to cover their administrative needs, with additional PYMNTS Intelligence research showing that close three-quarters of eateries say AI is “very or extremely effective” in accomplishing business goals.
“Robots are taking more active roles in both customer-facing and back-kitchen tasks, as restaurants face a perfect storm of challenges that include rising labor and food costs, persistent workforce shortages, and growing consumer demand for efficient service,” PYMNTS reported last month.
Arvind Sundararaman Recognized for Expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology
Mr. Sundararaman leads a specialized team of technical leaders and domain experts driving innovation at the intersection of data cloud technology and advanced AI applications.
SEATTLE, WA, August 04, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Arvind Sundararaman has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Sundararaman currently serves as the head of field chief technology officers (field CTO) and applied field engineering organizations for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) at Snowflake Inc., where he leads a specialized team of technical leaders and domain experts driving innovation at the intersection of data cloud technology and advanced AI applications. Under his strategic leadership, his organization has become a catalyst for enterprise AI transformation. He has spearheaded the rapid scaling of enterprise AI/ML adoption, cultivating a team of distinguished field CTOs and applied field engineers who deliver transformative solutions to complex artificial intelligence challenges. He has been instrumental in pioneering generative AI integration into enterprise data architectures, enabling organizations to unlock unprecedented value from their data assets.
A seasoned leader in technology, business transformation and artificial intelligence, Mr. Sundararaman previously led product management, go-to-market and solutions architecture organizations for AI and ML services at Amazon Web Services (AWS). There, he managed a diverse portfolio of artificial intelligence solutions across conversational AI, enterprise search, document processing and other critical business domains. His strategic leadership consistently delivered exceptional results, contributing to AWS’s market leadership in the AI space.
Mr. Sundararaman’s distinguished career at AWS spanned over seven years, during which time he progressively advanced through key leadership roles, where he orchestrated multiple global transformation initiatives for Fortune 1000 and Global 2000 organizations. His professional journey also includes significant contributions at Deloitte Consulting LLP, where he was recognized as a top performer for four consecutive years while spearheading technology transformation projects across North America.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sundararaman has distinguished himself as an inspiring leader who builds highly effective teams through empathy and genuine connection. Colleagues and team members consistently recognize his ability to create inclusive environments where innovation thrives. He actively mentors rising technology professionals, helping them navigate and succeed in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Sundararaman maintains active memberships in several prominent industry organizations focused on technology advancement and innovation. In addition to his executive achievements, he is an accomplished musician who composes original works and performs on multiple instruments, demonstrating the same creative innovation that drives his professional success.
Mr. Sundararaman attributes his success to his intellectual curiosity, willingness to embrace new challenges and commitment to making transformative technologies accessible across global markets. His thought leadership in artificial intelligence continues to shape industry conversations and drive innovation at the enterprise level.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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