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Best Summer Hotel Deals of 2026 – Free Nights, Dining and More
Hotels are providing incentives like bonus points for loyalty program members and free nights.
Sally French is co-host of the Smart Travel podcast and a writer on NerdWallet's travel team. Before joining NerdWallet as a travel rewards expert in 2020, she wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
Outside of work, she loves fitness, and she competes in both powerlifting and weightlifting (she can deadlift more than triple bodyweight). Naturally, her travels always involve a fitness component, including a week of cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, where she biked over the sea ice. Other adventures have included hiking 25 miles in one day through Italy's Cinque Terre and climbing the 1,260 steps to Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand.
Giselle M. Cancio is a former editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.
She has juggled many roles in her career: writer, editor, social media manager, producer, on-camera host, videographer and photographer. She has been published in several media outlets and was selected to report from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
She frequents national parks and is on her way to checking all 30 Major League Baseball parks off her list. When she's not on a plane or planning her next trip, she's crafting, reading, playing board games, watching sports or trying new recipes.
She is based in Miami.
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Forget standard percentage-off deals. This summer, hotels are throwing in free nights, complimentary meals, and even free theme park tickets.
Perhaps rising travel costs have something to do with it. 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 2026:
Kauai is having a summer moment, and two properties are making it easier to justify the flight.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach.
On the Royal Coconut Coast, Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort is offering its Keiki Stay & Eat Free package, where up to two children ages 5–12 eat free when dining with a paying adult at the resort's on-site restaurants. Use promo code ZJ6 for stays through December 2026.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
At Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, the “More Moments in Paradise” promotion offers 20 percent off the “Bed & Breakfast” rate. It includes daily breakfast for each registered guest, a reduced resort fee of $25, and $100 resort credit which can be used toward the resort’s award-winning restaurants, Anara Spa, and on-site activities. A minimum stay of three consecutive nights is required. Book by June 30, 2026 for stays between May 1 and December 26, 2026.
The resort sits on 50 oceanfront acres on Kauai's sunny south shore, with a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon, river pool, championship golf at Poipu Bay, and an on-site cultural center offering hula, ukulele and Hawaiian language classes.
Mexico and Caribbean hotel deals
Sandos Resorts & Hotels (Riviera Maya, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas)
(Photo courtesy of Sandos Resorts & Hotels)
Sandos Resorts & Hotels is a collection of four relatively affordable, all-inclusive resorts spread throughout Mexico.
For bookings made between now through April 30 (valid for travel through Dec. 20, 2027), the hotel is offering guests 40% off their stay, plus up to an additional 10% off when joining the S4U loyalty program, along with $500 in resort credit and a special welcome gift for all, upon arrival.
Disney hotel deals
A portrait of Walt Disney inside the lobby of the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. (Photo by Sally French/NerdWallet)
For Disney hotels, compare prices on third-party resellers like Undercover Tourist, as they often match or beat Disney's direct pricing. Disney has all sorts of offers, and not all of them can be combined (though some can be).
Walt Disney World in Florida
Discounted stays: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights May 1 through Oct. 4, 2026.
Florida residents and annual passholders: Florida Residents can save up to 35%, and Annual Passholders can save up to 40% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels this summer.
Free water park admission on check-in day: Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels between May 26 and Sept. 8, 2026, receive free admission to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on their check-in day. Since both water parks will be open during this period, you can choose based on your preference. Disney water park tickets typically cost around $80 per person.
Note that this benefit only applies on your check-in day, so arrive early to maximize value.
Free dining plan for kids
Get a free dining plan for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a package that includes a dining plan for guests ages 10 and up and a room at a Disney Resort hotel.
Disneyland in California
Kids' summer ticket offer: Children ages 3 through 9 can visit Disneyland Resort for as low as $50 per child with a 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for visits between May 22 and Sept. 7, 2026. Two-day and three-day tickets are also available, with options to add Lightning Lane Multi Pass for an additional fee.
Hotel savings: Save up to 25% on stays of four or more nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel for visits between May 22 and Sept. 7, 2026.
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Budget getaways around the U.S.
Las Vegas
The Excalibur Hotel and Casino along the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada, USA.
Just in time for summer, MGM Resorts announced what it’s billing as an “all-inclusive” experience. Starting at $330 plus tax for a two-night stay for two guests at Luxor Hotel & Casino or Excalibur Hotel & Casino, the package deal bundles accommodations, resort fees, three meals per day, two show tickets, two Big Apple Coaster rides at New York-New York and self-parking.
The package is valid for travel dates beginning April 6, with no blackout dates.
Luxury getaways around the U.S.
Wine country: Napa Valley
The Meritage Resort and Spa is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the "Cheers to 20 Years" package, which offers 20% off premium rooms and suites plus a $200 resort credit toward the cave spa, dining, bowling and more. The resort is hosting Blue Note Summer Sessions concerts on property this summer, alongside pop-up moonlight meditations and culinary experiences. Book by May 25, 2026, for stays through July 31, 2026.
Mountain getaways: Jackson Hole
The Wyoming Inn, Jackson, Wyoming.
For travelers wanting to celebrate America's 250th anniversary somewhere suitably dramatic, Jackson Hole delivers. Sister properties Wyoming Inn and The Lodge at Jackson Hole are offering up to 20% off stays of two nights or more for national park pass holders — a nice perk given Grand Teton National Park is minutes away. Both properties include complimentary shuttle service too. Valid for bookings through Dec. 15, 2026.
East Coast coastal escapes
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club — Cape Cod, MA
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster is offering up to 20% off stays of three nights or more. The 429-acre property on Cape Cod Bay features a AAA Four Diamond Victorian-style Mansion, luxury Bay Pines Collection Villas and a range of accommodations for families. Amenities include beach bikes, low-tide mini golf, five pools, multiple restaurants and access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
The Inn at Stonecliffe — Mackinac Island, MI
The Inn at Stonecliffe.
For something more offbeat, The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island — one of the few car-free destinations in the U.S. — offers a Luxury Cottage Retreat package that includes a champagne and charcuterie welcome amenity, a day of bike rentals for up to six guests and pre-arranged grocery delivery.
The Inn at Stonecliffe is part of the Humanitarian Hotel collection, which donates 100% of its profits to charity.
Other tricks for saving money on hotels in summer 2026
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.
Some loyalty programs through in an extra free night when redeeming points
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.
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.