Fairfield Inn & Suites Offers Discounts and Free Shuttle Service to Christmas in July Shoppers in Venice, Florida

VENICE, Fla., July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season for barbeques, beach parties and stellar discounts in downtown Venice, where jingle bells will ring out during the annual Christmas in July event taking place on Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Venice joins approximately 50 shops and restaurants on Venice Island that are offering special discounts during the winter holiday-themed weekend. On July 20 and 21, rooms at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott are available at a 20% discount for $89 (plus tax) per night, which includes a complimentary breakfast on Saturday morning and free shuttle service to and from the Venice Island shops on Friday and Saturday.

"Sometimes finding parking on the island can be very difficult," said Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Director of Sales and Marketing, Alison Belsan. "We decided to offer the complimentary shuttle service this year to eliminate that stress so that our guests can spend more time shopping and enjoying their weekend."

Shuttles will depart from the hotel at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and return from the island at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, giving shoppers plenty of time to enjoy the discounted prices and festive holiday window displays at participating shops and restaurants.

Hailed as the city's most popular summer event, Christmas in July draws large crowds of locals and tourists willing to brave the summer heat to take advantage of generous discounts at participating retailers and restaurants. In addition to sales specials, participating businesses will award over $1000 in gift baskets to Christmas in July shoppers.

In addition to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott shuttle, the downtown Venice trolley will run for free from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday.

To book reservations for Christmas in July at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott, call (941) 448-4343 and ask for "Santa's Special Rates." For additional information, contact Alison Belsan at [email protected].

About Sarasota County 
Located on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, Sarasota County offers a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a diverse array of culinary experiences and a variety of opportunities to take advantage of the clear waters and the great outdoors. Sarasota County provides the quintessential, laid-back beach getaway with numerous sprawling, white-sand beaches, including Siesta Key Beach, named "America's Best Beach" in 2011 by Stephen Leatherman, aka, Dr. Beach. Dubbed "Home of the American Circus," Sarasota County served as the headquarters for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus for 75 years, and visitors can experience its unique circus heritage first-hand by following the circus trail or catching a performance by one of two local circus companies. For more information on visiting Sarasota County, visit www.visitsarasota.org or call (800) 522-9799.

SOURCE Visit Sarasota County