In honor of Easter, here’s what has to be the most bunny-friendly hotel on the planet.

White Point Beach Resort is an old-style getaway overlooking the Atlantic, on the southwest coast of Nova Scotia. There’s golf, tennis, a  spa, a beach, and plenty more. It feels like a place families have been coming for years.

And not just humans.

 

During an evening walk along the beach last summer, I encountered dozens of rabbits. They hopped around the lodge and individual cabins, and gave me a curious what-are-you-doing-here stare.

The resort doesn’t look after them, except for providing guests free bunny food at the check-in counter. Not bad, considering the price: rooms begin at just $89 a night Canadian, or about $73 US

The resort is basic, but perfect for summer. Its wood-paneled dining room served great food. I must have gobbled up a pound of mussels at its seafood buffet, along with salmon, chowder, plus blueberry pie for dessert.

But it’s open year-round, making it great for a romantic weekend anytime of year.

Just you, your loved one, and dozens of bunnies.

I spent several days last month at a new Miami hotel that really blew me away. And now, with a new promotion, you can get free night after staying for two.

Used to be that if you dressed nicely and asked politely, you can get an airline upgrade to first-class. Those days are largely gone.

But it’s still possible to work your way into a better hotel room.

Andrew Harper, the pseudonym of a writer who produces a great luxury hotel newsletter, offers these tips to getting a hotel upgrade.

1. Contact management before you arrive: Let them know if you’ll be celebrating a special occasion.

2. Book a mid-price room: You’re more likely to be upgraded if you’re not in the cheapest hotel room.

3. Timing counts.  Large city hotels tend to be busier during the workweek. For a smaller hideaway in the country, try midweek.

4. Arrive during mid-afternoon.

5. Dress up a bit. If you look first class, you might get to stay first class.

Even luxury hotels are joining in. The Mandarian Oriental chain is offering guests at its Miami property a chance to help out in Everglades National Park. 

During a day trip (in a hybrid vehicle, natch) guests can participate in tree planting, recycling projects and exotic plant removal. After lunch, they can also explore walking trails and even wade through a swamp.  Although they better be careful – the park’s home to the endangered American crocodile.

(I once waded through the Fakahatchee State Park, near the Everglades. And every time my foot bumped into a root beneath the dark-tea-colored surface, I nearly jumped straight out of the water.)

But I'm sure no harm will come to a voluntourist. The package, which includes two nights at the hotel, starts at $698 from May 24, 2009 through September 30. Prices higher at other times of year.

Have you ever been on a volunteer vacation? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Want to do good on your next trip? San Francisco's Good Hotel helps make it possible.

Not just eco-friendly, but also socially active, the hotel will help guests arrange a volunteer experience during their visit.

The hotel works through One Brick, a local non-profit agency, and guests can tackle jobs such as planting grass and flowers around San Francisco Bay or sorting at a food bank.

But this is a place you can do good, just by checking in. The eco-friendly hotel has beds made from reclaimed wood and lamps made of recycled water bottles. A lobby vending machine's even stock with recycled items like a wallet made from an Fed-Ex envelope. The New York Times calls it Ikea goes eco.

Prices start at $89, including Wi-Fi.

Have you ever volunteered on a vacation? Let us know in the comments below.

Get a leg up on George Washington when you plan your next vacation. Even if your B&B or historic inn claims the first president slept there, you'll know sure he didn't find it on his iPhone.

The new InnTouch application from ILoveInns.com allows you to use an iPhone or iPod Touch to help you find a charming place to stay while you're on the go.

The application includes thousands of B&Bs and boutique inns with detailed information on each property. It also helps you located inns near your current location, and provides instant access to contact the inn for reservations. Bonus features a list of favorite dishes served at top inns � so you can plan your next meal along with your stay.

Photo: Oceanwatch, Marblehead, Massachussets