Winter is always a great time to experience the beauty of our area at a more laidback pace, with fewer crowds, and often for a lot less money. Lucky for us, the beaches around here are just as pretty with a light dusting of snow, and there is certainly no shortage of good food, hearty cocktails and crackling fireplaces to provide the perfect ambiance for a cozy winter escape. Now thanks to the inaugural Hotel Week RI, there is even more of an incentive to pack your bags this January. The best part? You only have to travel a few miles down the road.

From January 18-31, select Rhode Island hotels will be offering four “prix fixe” rates of $100, $200, $300 and $400 per night. Three of the 22 participating hotels are right here in Westerly, including the iconic Ocean House, the charming Weekapaug Inn and the quaint Shelter Harbor Inn, which was recently voted of the 5 most romantic winter weekends in New England by Yankee Magazine.  If you’ve admired these properties from afar and always wanted to check them out, then now is the time to check in!

Nearby participating hotels include The Break in Narragansett and The 1661 Inn on Block Island. If you’re up for driving “all the way” to Newport or Providence, there are a slew of other historic, family-friendly and luxury hotels also taking part. For a complete list, check out hotelweekri.com.

“By launching ‘Hotel Week RI,’ we are offering more visitors and locals the opportunity to enjoy Rhode Island’s many year-round experiences at a terrific value,” said Heather Evans, head of tourism for Rhode Island. “In addition to providing an affordable escape for guests, this program allows us to make a positive economic impact on the state by putting ‘heads in beds’ during what is typically one of the slowest months for tourism.”

Coinciding with Hotel Week are several other events aimed at attracting visitors from neighboring states, as well as encouraging locals to get out and about this winter.

Following last year’s success of their “Fondue Express,” Ocean House is offering a Fondue Village dining experience now through March. Visitors will don a borrowed Columbia down jacket and be seated in a vintage ski gondola complete with a private server, and a three-course meal paired with vintage Veuve Clicquot Champagnes. Advanced reservations are required for this one-of-a-kind experience.

Across the bridges, Newport Wellness Week runs January 18- 25 with a Wellness Marketplace at the Newport Marriott kicking things off on the 19th. Now in its third year, this weeklong event celebrates the mind, body and spirit and offers unique experiences, workshops and deals from area businesses like gyms, yoga studios, spas and more.

Up in PVD, you can take advantage of some top-notch dining deals courtesy of Providence Restaurant Week, which runs January 12-25. Nearly 90 restaurants will be taking part, offering three-course lunches for $16.95 and three-course dinners at $29.95, $34.95 or $49.95, as well as two-for-one specials.

And finally, if you’re looking for something to do with the kids, consider checking out Yawgoo Valley for skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing. Open through late March weather-permitting, you can enjoy 12 trails, night skiing, ski lessons, a tubing park and more.