The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare and three nights' accommodations from $395 per person—plus taxes of $21.
When: Nov. 26-Dec. 17, 2007.
Gateways: New York; other cities available. Just to give you an idea, add $19 for Washington, D.C., $29 for Long Beach, $40 for Boston, $120 Chicago. Prices can vary drastically based on departure date.
The fine print: Note that the lowest price of $395 is based on select travel dates (12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13) and other dates will likely be higher. Hotel taxes are included, but airfare fees are an additional $21. The package is based on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday departures. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. The lowest single traveler rates we found start from $670. Since purchases made over the phone cost an additional $10 per person, save by booking online. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Nov. 9, 2007.
Contact: JetBlue Getaways, 800/538-2583, jetblue.com.
Why it's a deal: The lowest nightly rate at the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront is $169 through Nov. 28. The price goes up to $199 starting with Nov. 29. A three-night stay would cost you $507 in November (or about $253 per person based on two people) and $597 in December (or $299 per person) per room. Add to that the cost of airfare, which starts at $228 per round trip from New York in late November (multiple carriers) and $139 in early December (American), according to a recent Sidestep search, and your minimum total is $438-$481 per person. So the JetBlue package would save you at least $43-$86 per person, depending on when you travel—and possibly even more.
Trip details: The Miami package is part of JetBlue Getaways "Biggest Sale of the Year" promotion and includes round-trip airfare to Fort Lauderdale International Airport on JetBlue and three nights' accommodations at the 263-room Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront. The hotel is about 45 minutes from the airport and taxis and shuttles are available just outside the baggage claim area. Expect to pay about $12-$34 per person each way for airport-hotel shuttle service, such as the Fort Lauderdale Airport Shuttle, from $30 per person, one way. If you're considering renting a car, keep in mind that the hotel has valet parking only, which is $24 per day plus tax.
The 12-story 1940s hotel building, formerly known as the Cadillac, was fully renovated and reopened as Courtyard by Marriot Miami Beach Oceanfront in early 2004. It features a pool, whirlpool, spa services, exercise room, a laundry room, 24-hour mini-market and sundry shop. Also on site are the breakfast-only Courtyard Café, the Surfside Tiki Bar for lunch, and Carrabba's Italian Grill, open for dinner.
Located on Collins Avenue, the seaside hotel is little less than two miles from major sightseeing destinations in the South Beach Art Deco district, along Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road. Downtown Miami is also minutes away. Local attractions include the Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium, and the Miami Seaquarium.
For more tips on what to do in the area, visit Florida's official visitor information .
While Miami Beach is sunny year round, the slightly cooler winter with an average daytime temperature of 75 degrees is the best time to visit. By booking this deal, you will just have missed the huge crowds that arrive during the peak tourist season in January. Before you go, check the .