'Learn to Surf' Packages Encourage Families to 'Hang' Together at Bahama House, Best Western Aku Tiki Inn

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla.- Making the most of their world-famous location, the Bahama House and Best Western Aku Tiki Inn have created new 'surf and stay' packages for family travelers. Designed to bring families together, these affordable packages will make a splash with moms, dads and kids of all ages - even hard-to-please teenagers - on the World's Most Famous Beach. In addition to great value rates on ocean-view rooms, the packages include surf lessons courtesy of local favorite Surfari Surf.

'Daytona Beach is a great place to learn how to surf,' said Rick Gehris, owner and operator of Surfari Surf (www.surfarisurf.com), which has locations in San Diego, California, and Ormond Beach, Florida. "More families are taking up surfing because it's a great sport for all ages, and an activity the entire family can enjoy together.'

The Bahama House and Best Western Aku Tiki Inn are offering several surf package options for families:

Family Instruction: Families receive private instruction from one or more of Surfari Surf's qualified instructors, depending on the number of participants. Since water safety is a primary concern at Surfari Surf, families can feel secure with a 3-to-1 student/instructor ratio. Options include instruction (1.5 hours), or custom designed packages to make the most of your surfing experience in Daytona Beach. For a family of four, prices start as low as $75 per person for a private 1.5-hour class, $55 per person for the same instruction in a semi private setting (two students and instructor), and $50 per person for a group lesson (with three to five students). Surfari Surf is offering a ten percent discount for Bahama House and the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn guests who purchase the Surf and Stay package.

Surf Camp: For parents who need a little break, Surfari offers three- and five-day surf camps from May through August. Geared for kids eight and up, and sponsored by Billabong, these camps last 3.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Three-day camps are $200 per person, and five-day camps are $225 per person. On Fridays, participants receive a goody bag, including Billabong T-shirt and more. Advance reservations are required to receive a ten percent discount.

Room rates for 'Learn to Surf' packages at either the Bahama House or the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn begin at just $89 per night*. Kids stay free with a paying adult. Both beachfront properties recently completed major renovations and offer guests a host of complimentary amenities, including nightly cocktail reception, fresh-baked cookies, morning newspaper, free high-speed Internet access, and parking. Continental breakfast is offered daily at the Bahama House.

Located on a quiet stretch of the Atlantic shoreline, the Bahama House is a casually elegant, Caribbean-style boutique hotel with 87 deluxe guest rooms, including 74 efficiencies, two suites and two penthouses. All rooms offer private balconies with spectacular water views of the Atlantic Ocean. Its sister property, the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn, with 132 deluxe guest rooms, including 57 efficiencies, was purchased by Staed Hotels in January 2004 and has earned a well-deserved reputation for exceptional service and meticulously maintained accommodations. In October 2007, the property received the Best of the Best in Design Award from Best Western International.

Staed Hotels maintain boutique hotels, catering to families, golfers, corporate travel executives, and meeting planners desiring the best of Daytona's beach experience. Daytona Beach residents since 1960, members of the Staed family have been active in the hotel industry for nearly 60 years. At the peak of their ventures, they ran 11 hotels, accounting for 1,500 rooms and 9,000 square feet of meeting space in the Daytona Beach area.

For reservations, call the Best Western Aku Tiki Inn at (800) 258-8454 or (386) 252-9631, and the Bahama House at 800-571-2001 or 386-248-2001. For additional information on the properties, visit www.BWAkuTiki.com, www.DaytonaBahamaHouse.com or www.StaedHotels.com.

*Room reservations and surf lessons are based on availability. Room rates may change depending on date.