The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare and three nights at an all-inclusive resort with meals, drinks and activities, from $605 per person — plus taxes of $127 per person.
When: Jan. 26–Feb. 5, 2009, based on availability.
Gateways: Miami; add $10 for New York City, $30 for Chicago, $62 for Denver, $78 for L.A., $81 for Seattle, $107 for Phoenix; additional gateways are available.
The fine print: All meals, drinks, nonmotorized water sports and hotel taxes are included. Airport taxes and surcharges are an additional $127 per person. Round-trip airport-hotel transfers are an additional $25 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement averages $270. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Jan. 10, 2009
Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800-742-9244, pleasantholidays.com
Why it's a deal: According to a recent Kayak search, the lowest round-trip airfare between Miami and Montego Bay is $202 with taxes for travel in late January (American). In comparison, for an additional $530, the Pleasant Holidays package covers round-trip airfare as well as three nights' accommodations, all meals and beverages, nonmotorized water sports, some activities for children and taxes.
Trip details: Pleasant Holidays is offering two all-inclusive Jamaica Vacation Packages with airfare. Choose three nights at the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa in Montego Bay or at the Grand Pineapple Beach Negril.
Montego Bay: The 430-room Sunset Beach Resort opened in 1998 and consists of three beaches, two 10-story towers, and a low-rise wing. The latter offers the best access to the ocean. The rooms have private balconies and tropical-design touches.
Guests have access to three swimming pools, four lit tennis courts, a mini golf course, a fitness center, a spa, and a large Jacuzzi that can accommodate up to 25 people at one time. Nonmotorized water activities, such as snorkeling, riding paddleboats, and kayaking, are included.
There are children's programs designed for various ages, game rooms, and the Pirate's Paradise Water park, which features a pair of 35-foot high, 250-foot long waterslides, Blackbeard's Lazy River, and a Caribbean pirate ship.
Included meals are served at the resort's four restaurants (Italian, Pacific Rim, Caribbean, and international cuisines). After-dinner options at the resort include performances, a disco, six bars, and the slot machines at the small-stakes casino.
Negril:The Grand Pineapple Beach Resort has 65 rooms that look out to the garden or the ocean and have standard amenities. It's located along Negril's seven-mile crescent beach, which means guests have easy access to calm, shallow waters—perfect for snorkeling. Guests can also windsurf, kayak, or sail in the ocean, or take a leisurely dip in the freshwater pool by the garden. Land activities like tennis, volleyball, and horseback riding (nearby) are also available. Meals are served at two restaurants and drinks at the Sunset Bar.
If one long weekend is not long enough for you, add extra nights for an additional $239 per person.
For travel tips and more up-to-date information, visit the Jamaica Tourist Board Web site.