FareFinder: Thursday, February 26

Sandals Resorts offering last-minute getaways, including four nights in the Bahamas for as little as $2,100.

Hurtigruten slashes prices on 17- to 21-day Greenland cruises, including airfare from NYC.

In response to AirTran specials, airlines rush to discount competing fares. Case in point: this Continental flight from Raleigh-Durham to Newark-Liberty.

Five-star Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich celebrates it re-opening anniversary with buy-one, get-one up to four nights.

Today is Carnival Cruise Line's one-day sale. Specials include a 5-day Caribbean cruise from Galveston for $279.

FareFinder: Christma$ in NYC grande dame

We thought FareFinder was such a good idea that we're scrapping the Tuesday/Thursday thang to give you FareFinder everyday (yeah, I know, you're welcome).

So, in honor of the first snowfall here at the PTG v.2 HQ, FareFinder decided to drop a little Christmas cheer in all your laps. And what says Christmas more than NYC and those fabulously-leggy Rockettes?

The Plaza, that venerable Big Apple landmark that provided the backdrop for such wonderful moments in Brewster's Millions, Home Alone 2 and The Sopranos, among others, is offering a "Christmas Spectacular" package that can only be described a major-league lux.

The hotel’s "Christmas Spectacular" package promises guests a quintessential holiday experience in the Big Apple and includes Premier seating for two at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, luxurious accommodations in a Plaza guest room or suite and a special "Christmas Spectacular"-themed holiday dessert to be devoured in The Palm Court.

Swank, yes. Cheap, no. Value, hells yeah. Rates might start at an eye-popping $875 a night, but considering you normally can't step through The Plaza doors for less than a grand, this is certainly worthy of a FareFinder luxury deal.

Image via YorkBlog.com

FareFinder: Five-star Turks deal (aka -- Spend a lot, save a lot)

We here at the FareFinder understand that not all of you are looking for the five-day/four-night $300 all-inclusive (But if you know of a good one, pass it along!). You might be saving for that special second honeymoon. You might just have a mountain of money that didn't get swept away in the stock market (if so, I have a great Web site investment for you). But you still want value for your hard-earned bucks.

Sometimes, you have to spend a lot to save a lot. If you're part of the champagne wishes and caviar dreams crowd, we've got a deal down in the Caribbean. Seven Stars Resort is a newbie when it comes to the luxury resorts on T&C's Grace Bay Beach, but it certainly doesn't rank near the bottom for experience or price (more on that in a bit). But there's still value to be had, evident by the email I received not too long ago from the FareFinder fairy in editorial:

[...]Seven Stars resort on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands is offering complimentary nights and other added value for guests from Nov. 16, 2008-May 31, 2009. Guests staying three nights or longer get one complimentary night; those staying at least seven nights get two nights free. In addition, they receive a 20% resort discount for their entire stay on all food and beverages, spa treatments and boutique purchases. Also, minimum stay requirements have been relaxed. No blackout periods apply, including Christmas and New Year, and the promotion is valid for all room categories.

Great deal, but like a wise man stated earlier: Spend a lot to save a lot. Rooms start around five bills; suites reach an AIG-like $5,800 a night (Do I get a bailout if I stay here?). But the five-star property is worth it according to our reviewer, so who am I to judge?

Notes from Las Vegas and Updated Hotel Reviews

Morning to all those out there. Still recovering from PubCon out in Las Vegas last week, more from flying 'cross country than from all-night parties (thanks, Zappos.com and Microsoft). Anywho, as the resident FareFinder here at Travelin' Light, just wanted to give a shout and say that we'll be trying to help you find some diamonds in the rough.

My travel to Sin City wasn't all conference and schmoozing. Did some updates to our luxury hotel reviews for the Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas and the new Trump International Hotel & Tower. Those updates will be on Professional Travel Guide soon. Meanwhile, I stayed at Treasure Island with most of the conference guests. We here like to take what our CEO says to heart, so I went through the hotel directly and saved a good chunk -- about 100 large. Not too shabby.

Anywho, we'll keep you posted daily on deals the travel sector is offering out there. You know what to do. And if not, Brinson gave you a good explanation below. Until next time.