Sizzling Summer Travel Treats

With New York's Fleet Week and Memorial Day just around the corner, hotels across the country are getting into the spirit with aquatic amenities, nautical cocktails, and cool treats. From coast-to-coast and most places in between, resorts are finding novel ways for travelers to beat the heat.

Whet your appetite with a 40-minute high-speed boat ride on Codzilla in Boston Harbor, and then feast on fish and chips bites at the Waterline restaurant at Boston's Marriott Long Wharf through the hotel's Wicked Wild Wharf Escape package (www.MarriottLongWharf.com), available weekends from May 12 to Oct. 31 with prices starting at $324. Those who haven't had enough fun in the sun can consult the hotel's new Wave Runner concierge.

Among the lineup of nautical-themed drinks at La Bottega at New York City's The Maritime Hotel, the former headquarters for the National Maritime Union, the bar is mixing a special "Do Ask, Please Tell" cocktail. The chilly concoction of Stoli Peach, Amaretto DiSaranno, orange juice, and lime juice celebrates the 25th annual New York Fleet Week and commemorates the striking down of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy. In case sailors have one too many, The Maritime Hotel has a special $99 room rate to active duty sailors in uniform during Fleet Week (from May 23 to 30).

For those who aren't quite ready for summer yet, the Four Seasons Hotel Houston presents a survival pack upon arrival that includes lemon-scented chilled towels, a chilled gel eye mask, iced mojitos, and frozen pineapple mint skewers as part of its Big Chill package, available until Aug. 26. To make the deal even cooler, the second night room rate is based on the high temperature for the day at the Four Seasons properties in Austin, Dallas, and Houston (www.fourseasons.com, two-night stay minimum, first night's rate: Austin $359, Dallas $215, Houston $209). With average summer temps hovering around 94 degrees, that's one hot summer travel deal.

Originally published May 8th, 2012.