The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on Alaska Airlines and three nights' accommodations, from $496 per person—plus $67 in taxes.
When: Through Sept. 28, 2009.
Gateways: Seattle; add $113 for San Francisco; $157 for Denver; $171 for L.A.; $303 for Chicago, D.C.; other gateways available.
The fine print: Does not include $67 per person in taxes. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is from $80. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: Sept. 25, 2009.
Contact: Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.
Why it's a deal: In a recent Kayak search, we found a round-trip fare for travel in mid-June for $236 (Alaska). Either of the participating Vancouver hotels will run about $265 per night if booked through the hotels' Web sites. A three-night stay, all taxes included, would cost about $398 per person, so you'd expect to pay $634 for this trip if you booked it independently. In comparison, this package costs $563 with all taxes, a savings of $71.
Lodging: Choose between the Fairmont Waterfront and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The Waterfront is, indeed, on the waterfront, with views of the city's beautiful harbor and nearby mountains. It also has an outdoor heated pool, a fitness club, and a garden with fountains. The nearby Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has a spa, an indoor pool, and a restaurant with a fresh all-day buffet. Both hotels are within walking distance of Pacific Centre, a shopping mall with more than 140 stores. Also nearby is the Vancouver Art Gallery and other attractions of downtown.
More: Extend your stay from $81 per person per night.
Before you go: U.S. citizens will need a valid passport for travel; a visa is not required. Transfers are not included; a taxi between the airport and downtown will cost about $30. Alternatively, there is bus service to the airport; fares vary but start around $4 per person.
