Nov 20, 2009 by Stephanie Johnnidis - comment
Andrew Skwarek scours the web for the best deals on hotels, flights, cruises, packages, and more.
Downtown Miami’s new Hotel Urbano bills itself as the city’s first boutique “art hotel” with an exhibit schedule directed by William Braemer, artist and Curator of Art Fusion Galleries in Miami’s Design District, who will plan seasonal art exhibitions to be displayed throughout the hotel; artwork – all from emerging artists – will also be available for purchase. An unofficial opening date is predicted for late December, but Hotel Urbano is really giving us something to look forward to in 2010 with their Grand Opening special. From January 1 through January 29, the hotel is offering rates from only $20.10 for the first night when booking two or more nights. The special includes a complimentary welcome cocktail, buffet breakfast, and the chance to win a piece of art valued at $2,010. Rates for the remaining nights go for $159. To book this deal, call 888-657-3448 or visit hotelurbano.com and use code SPECIAL.
Mexico’s unique culture and climate proves to be irresistible for American travelers looking to enjoy some rest and relaxation. And why shouldn’t it? After all, it’s home to marvelous sites, top-notch resorts, and favorable currency exchange rates. Make your dollar go further this winter at the four-star Ixtapan Spa Hotel and Golf Resort. Currently, this resort is offering an incredible Spa Classic package priced from just $616 per person that is sure to leave your skin silky smooth.
JetBlue just announced a limited time fare sale on domestic and international flights from as little as $29 each way. Take off to sun-soaked destinations like the Bahamas, Cancun, Aruba, Bermuda, and Barbados or do some weekend jetting between major U.S. cities like New York, Baltimore, Orlando, Boston, and more. Travel is valid from December 2 through December 16, and January 6 through January 28. Just be sure to book quickly – this sale ends today!
Sample one-way fares include:
• New York–Chicago: $49
• Denver–Boston: $89
• Long Beach–Las Vegas: $29
• Washington, D.C. –Fort Lauderdale: $59
• Orlando–Nassau: $39
• New York–Bermuda: $89
• And more!
For more information, visit www.jetblue.com.
Visit Beantown in style this fall and winter without paying a pretty penny. Ames, Morgans Hotel Group’s brand-new luxury boutique hotel in downtown Boston, is celebrating its grand-opening with special introductory rates starting at just $124/night for select stays from November 22 to January 31 – quite a bargain considering nightly summer rates are expected to be as much as $300/night. Also included in this offer are two complimentary welcome drinks. This introductory rate requires a minimum two-night stay and must be booked by December 2. Other travel dates through April 5 start at $146/night. To book this offer, call 800-697-1791 and mention promotion code SPMO25, or visit www.morganshotelgroup.com.
King Tutankhamun, the young famous Egyptian pharaoh who reigned for just nine years before dying unexpectedly, left a legacy that is still alive and well today – three thousand years later. For a limited time only, the de Young Museum in San Francisco is showcasing the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit – a magnificent collection of over 130 artifacts and works of art taken right out of the boy-king’s tomb. Amateur Egyptologists who don’t have the time or money to jet off to Africa might want to consider the excellent Mummy and Me package currently being offered by the Fairmont San Francisco. For $249/night, guests will receive overnight accommodations at the landmark hotel, two VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibition (a $65 value) which can be used any time – even on dates sold out to the public, as well as two Egyptian Sunrise cocktails in the hotel’s Laurel Court Restaurant and Lounge. This offer expires on March 28, 2010.
Bora Bora, a tiny island surrounded entirely by lagoons and a barrier reef, awaits you with treasures, pleasures, and leisure. Located on the furthest horizon between New Zealand and Hawaii, Bora Bora offers the ultimate escape. At just $1,899 per person, you can save thousands when you book with Tahiti Tourism. The luxurious 7-night Couples Retreat Package includes:
• Roundtrip economy class airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui
• 1 night at InterContinental Tahiti Resort in a Standard Room
• 6 nights at Le Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora in an Ocean View Room
• Inter-island air transportation, including transfers and baggage handling
• Option to upgrade to a private Beach Bungalow, from $75 per night
• And more!
Slated to open December 16, the ARIA Resort & Casino has a little extra pizzazz, boasting a 150,000-square-foot casino, and 4,004 stylish guestrooms complete with 42-inch flat-screen televisions, stocked mini bars, soft, luxurious linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Sounds heavenly, right? If you’re a penny-pincher and don’t want to sacrifice on the quality of accommodations when visiting Sin City, you’ll definitely want to check out ARIA’s great introductory rates which start at just $159/night. From December 17 through April 1, 2010, guests who stay two nights at the modern resort will receive $75 resort credit which can be used at the 80,000-square-foot spa, any one of the 13 eateries, as well as other activities and services. Other resort amenities include three pools, nine bars and lounges, and a Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the musical legacy of Elvis Presley.
As if you need some convincing to see the bright lights of New York City, the soon-to-be-renamed Portland Square Hotel is getting a major makeover in spring 2010. By next fall it will re-open as the Sanctuary Hotel – a boutique hotel located in the heart of Times Square with rates starting at $309/night. A bit out of your price range? Don’t worry, little do people know, the hotel has already remodeled nine of the 125 rooms and is allowing guests to test out the four-star accommodations without the four-star price tag – at a special “dress rehearsal” rate of just $159/night until March 31, 2010.
The new guestrooms feature luxurious European linens, plasma televisions, and iPod docking stations. The overhaul also calls for exposed brick or metal beams in some rooms, as well as open-plan bathrooms and rain showerheads.
Guests who book a refurbished room at the low preview rate of $159/night and then offer the hotel feedback will receive a $50 credit towards a future stay.
If you’re interested in booking this dress rehearsal rate, visit www.portlandsquarehotel.com and use the code “DRESS1” or call 212-382-0600.
The people of Rio de Janeiro, or, Cariocas, are famous for their hospitality, warmth, and energy. However, experiencing the beaches, babes, and boutiques of the city is typically a bank-buster — not to mention a brain-buster with the language barrier. That’s what makes this 5-night Rio package from Just Brazil Vacations by Hotur so exciting. With this amazing deal, you’ll save at least $1,550!
Starting at just $959 per person, this scintillating offer includes flights, hotel, tours, and more. The 6-day, 5-night program includes accommodations in a guestroom at the four-star Porto Bay Rio International beach resort, and daily Brazilian breakfast. Also included are the following extras:
• Half-day tour of Sugar Loaf Mountains (a $60 value).
• Tour of H. Stern, world famous for its fabulous gems and jewelry.
• Services of local guides and translators.
The eternal Sydney: A multicultural immigrant haven, a global commerce center, and home to numerous national parks and sandy beaches. The iconic Sydney Opera house, with her signature ivory sails tilting against the city skyline, will leave you singing for joy. This beating metropolis is now closer than ever with Tourism Australia’s latest packages – priced from as low as $1,299. That’s a real steal with up to $500 in savings per person!
