We use tons of online tools to find the most competitive travel deals on the Internet. Then we hand pick the very best specials for our favorite people: New Yorkers.
Our favorite finds this week? A kitschy spot in Miami at up to 46% off, and the number one spa in Latin America, according to Travel + Leisure.
Note: As always, all our quoted airfare is for roundtrip, nonstop flights with all taxes and fees included, unless otherwise noted.
____________________________________
Hot Deal on A Hip Hotel in San Fran: [via TravelZoo] The Hotel Palomar, a Kimpton hotel in the heart of San Francisco, is offering super discounted rates this season - just $129 per night (down from $259), saving you almost 50%. The Palomar was voted one of the Greatest Hotels and Resorts in the World by Travel + Leisure, and is on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. Its eatery, the Fifth Floor Restaurant and Lounge, boasts over 1,500 wines and was voted one of 7x7 magazine's Best Restaurants of San Francisco. All of the Palomar's spacious and comfy rooms have Frette linens, L'Occitane bath products (be still our hearts), and an iPod docking station. And you can feel good about resting your head here - the Palomar uses eco-friendly products and services whenever possible. Learn more about the hotel here, or click here to book through TravelZoo.
Italy's Amalfi Coast Made Affordable: [via Frommer's] Perillo Tours has organized an enticing and affordable Italian getaway, including roundtrip airfare (via Eurofly Airlines), five nights stay at the Villa Romana hotel in the quiet town of Minori, plus all breakfasts and (4 course) dinners, access to a private beach, and airport transfers. Once you arrive, you're free to explore the surrounding areas at your leisure; Minori is a easy trip away from Naples, Sorrento, the ruins of Pompeii, the Isle of Capri, Ischia, Positano... you're perfectly situated to get the most out of your days. This trip goes for $1750 per person for a double-occupancy room in July and August, and $1492 in September. Single rates are $1950 and $1692, respectively. Click here to learn more and to book.
Nice Deal in New Orleans: [via DealBase] From now through December 29th, stay at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel for just $69 dollars a night (!), a savings of 43% off regular rates. In addition to this discount, you'll receive a welcome cocktail and free breakfast each morning. All rooms at the Dauphine face a beautiful center courtyard (which is a quiet oasis compared to the bustling French Quarter streets), and boast jacuzzi tubs, fluffy bath robes, free WiFi, and daily newspaper delivery. The hotel has one of New Orleans' few saltwater pools, a vast guest library, and a bar and lounge housed in what used to be a bordello in New Orleans' red light district. Scandalous! Click here to read more about this deal, and check out the Dauphine's laudatory TripAdvisor reviews here.
Very Cheap Vancouver: [via TabletHotels] Tablet Hotels' Last Minute Deals always blow us away, and this discount is no exception; for the next two weeks, stay at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver for $171... discounted from $696. The Opus has made countless Top Hotel lists - including recurring years in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Forbes Traveler - for its contemporary design, consistent good service, and delicious Elixer bistro. They are also widely praised for their environmental efforts, which you can read about here. The Opus offers complimentary bikes for getting around, but also has a free car service if you plan on going far, plus a 24 hour fitness center, dry cleaning, and free WiFi. They can also arrange personal shoppers, trainers, dog walkers, massage therapists... you name it. Visit their website to learn more, or book now through Tablet Hotels by clicking here.
Last Minute Miami: [via TabletHotels] Looking for some last minute plans for the Fourth? Tablet Hotels and the stunning Pelican Hotel in Miami have got you covered, offering incredible discounts - this weekend, pay $175-$300 for a suite that usually costs $850, and next weekend pay $120-$135 for a $260 room. You'll be paying at a discount for quite the experience - the Diesel-designed Pelican is over-the-top ostentatious and makes no apologies for its funny, and mostly absurd, decor. Choose from rooms such as 'Born in the Stars and Stripes' for an overdose of the American dream, or 'Me Tarzan You Vain', a jungle-print room with an abundance of cleverly placed mirrors. But don't get us wrong, these aren't bad-motel theme rooms - more like luxury-kitsch; each features recycled oak floors (gorgeous), a mini-fridge, WiFi, and bath products by Aveda. We like that the Pelican knows how to pamper without taking itself too seriously, and we love the low prices of this Last Minute deal! It won't last, so hurry up and book.
Summer Retreat in Mexico for 67% Off: [via DealBase] Stay at the Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas this summer and save 67% on lodging; rooms are now available for $178 per night, down from the usual $549. You'll get private airport transfers, as well as breakfast spreads and a daily complimentary yoga class. Each room has an ocean view and a private terrace to enjoy it from, plus original Mexican artwork, a flatscreen TV, iPod docking station, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Cabo Spa, with its "signature water passage" (please fill us in if you go?), has been voted the 'Number One Spa in Latin America' by Travel + Leisure. Sound good? Click here to learn more, or check out the Esperanza's page of special offers.
50% Off Tons of Hotels This Summer: [via TravelZoo] While the InterContinental Hotel Group doesn't always bowl us over with their lodging options, this 50% sale on participating hotels is pretty tempting, especially for business trips, wedding stays, and other travel situations that we wouldn't always describe as 'pleasure'. Their hotels run the gamut, from the Crowne Plazas and Holiday Inns (hey, sometimes these are your only options), to the more upscale InterContinentals, to the surprisingly impressive Hotel Indigos. We definitely suggest taking advantage of this deal at one of the Indigo locations, which are a bit 'hipper', with sleek design and a boutique feel. The deal lasts through September 8th and includes all holiday weekends - find out more here.
Greek Islands Tour: [via Travel+Leisure] Friendly Planet Travel, a tour group with surprisingly good traveler reviews (plus the praise of Travel + Leisure) is offering a 6 day trip to Greece this fall, including round trip airfare and three days in Athens, followed by three days on boat touring the Greek islands (including Rhodes, Mykonos, Patmos, and more). The deal includes all meals, tours, transfers, and accommodations. What we like about this trip is the option to explore solo - all tours are optional, and the guides are more than happy to point you in the right direction if you'd rather break away from the pack. Book by July 17th and choose a 2009 departure starting at $1227 or a 2010 departure starting at $1327 - click here to learn more.
Last Minute Fourth on Fire Island - 50% Off: Get your own 1-Bedroom bungalow in The Pines (Fire Island's gay friendly beach town) from tomorrow till July 9th - a whole holiday week - for $1,000, including lots of perks: pool, hot tub, grill and deck, replete with outdoor shower. By the way, this house usually goes for 2k during a regular summer week. And have we mentioned? We love Fire Island!
Get Married in a Tuscan Villa: Planning a wedding stateside and overwhelmed? Why not screw it all and head to Italy with 18 of your dearest friends. We found a beautiful villa near the northern Tuscan coast with tons of availability in September and October, and 20% off its regular prices all year round. It also features 11 charmingly decorated bedrooms and amazing grounds that include a spacious pool and a restored barnhouse that seats 20 for dinner. In other words, this villa is the perfect spot for a low-key, intimate wedding that's all about family, friends, fun - and of course - food! The price with discount? A total of 3,559 for your wedding week - which breaks down to $323 a bedroom for 7 nights stay. Maid service and other perks included. Book here.
