Deal(s) of the Week: Vegas' Platinum Hotel, Alaska Airways to Ski Country

You go to Vegas.  The traffic on the Strip is nuts, economic downturn notwithstanding.  It takes the valet guy at the big casino/hotel a half hour to retrieve your car or you stand 20 minutes in line waiting for a taxi. 

Now consider the Platinum Hotel & Spa, just a block off the Strip.  It doesn't have a casino or megamall.  It doesn't have 2,000 rooms.  All it has are spacious rooms--suites, really, since this used to be an apartment building--and a quite good restaurant.  Oh, and a great rate between Nov. 8 and Dec. 28. 

How does $106 a night sound?

Need a few more perks?  How about free wi-fi, a late check out at 4 p.m., and a couple of drinks on the house at the hotel bar?

Just visit the hotel's web site.  I did this afternoon and was offered rooms at $119.  I can't explain the $13 difference, so I'd suggest you call the hotel directly and ask for rate of $106 + the perks.  Dial: 877-211-9211.

If snow is more your thing, Alaska Airlines is putting ski trips to cool destinations including Sun Valley and Mammoth on sale from Dec. 17 through Mar. 21.  Or Apr 11, in the case of Mammoth. 

The airline begins new service to both those destinations beginning in mid-December, so that explains the nice, introductory fares: Los Angeles to Mammoth, $147; LA to Sun Valley, $332.  And there's service from other cities, as well, mostly through Seattle.  Note that there aren't flights every day, and there's only one, non-stop flight to and from Los Angeles. So shop carefully, my friends, and act fast because, as you know, it's the early skier who gets the best snow and the best deals.