DealBase.com – It’s like having a travel agent you don’t have to talk to

We always try to let you know when there’s a great new way to find travel deals, and DealBase is one of the best yet.

The fashionistas among you may be familiar with a site called ShopItToMe.com — this is that for travel. I’ll explain.

Basically, you go to DealBase.com and tell them what you want. Four or more star hotels in Vegas for under $300? Any hotel in New York for under $100? Whatever you’re looking for, you can customize your preferences into their system. Then, not only will they search immediately for deals for you or trips that match your criteria — they’ll e-mail you a “Deal Alert” if when they find another one!

“In this time of amazing travel deals, everyone wants to be the first to know about the best savings and insider discounts,” says Sam Shank, CEO. “DealBase.com’s comprehensive deal alerts empowers travelers by sending relevant offers and insider savings opportunities, so you can get these deals before they sell out.”

We think this is awesome. It’s like, the laziest easiest way to search for travel you can afford ever, especially since it often doesn’t matter when you travel — you’re just waiting for the right deal. If there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, but think you can’t afford, plug in the details and who knows? Maybe two months from now, a deal will pop up!

So, go set up your DealBase account already.

Kimpton’s Summer Deals – all over the US and Canada!

Kimpton has a number of great specials going on this summer, and if you’re booking any last minute travel (before September 7th), you can totally take advantage!

Their Summer Playground Package, which starts at just $199 per night (enter PLGD in the rate code box or mention “Summer Playground” when calling 1-800-KIMPTON), includes comfy amenities like a $25 food and beverage credit and an in-room movie with popcorn. That doesn’t sound too playground-y, but how about this stuff:

  • Play a game for upgrades. I’m talking rock paper scissors or a hula hoop challenge. You could get a free upgrade.
  • Sangria Happy Hour. Need I say more? There are also “Play Dirty” and “Play Nice” -themed cocktails available.
  • Virtual Wii Sports. Get your golf, tennis, or baseball game on.
  • Tag! They have playground-themed luggage tags available in the lobby.

If the Summer Playground Package sounds like a bunch of insanity to you, perhaps you’d be more interested in the “Cocktail or Breakfast for Just $1 More” deal … which is exactly what it sounds like.

The above deals are available at all of Kimpton’s nearly 50 hotels throughout the US and Canada, but there’s even more special stuff happening at NYC’s 70 Park Avenue, where you can “Shape Up Your Stay” (starts at $229 — which is pretty darn cheap for New York!), a package which includes:

  • 20% off the Best Available Rate
  • Healthy Power Bar and bottled water
  • Complimentary in-room yoga basket for use while at the hotel
  • Jump rope
  • Personalized running route mapped by the concierge

If you like to see some art when you head into to New York, both 70 Park Avenue and The Muse (also in NYC) are offering a “Summer Art in the City” package. This package starts at just $199 per night and includes a complimentary breakfast, a bottle of wine upon arrival, and unlimited daily MTA metrocard — which will take you directly to the ferry to Governor’s Island, where there’s a huge public art quadrennial called Plot 09: This World & Nearer Ones, which features works by artists from nine different countries, including Patti Smith and Mark Wallinger. You also get a map of Governor’s Island. (Rate code: PSMA.)

Basically, Kimpton is rocking this summer. They’ve just earned the Top 2009 Customer Satisfaction Ranking from Market Metrix Hospitality Index — topping their own previous winning scores with a 94.7 percent — beating out Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels, and other leading luxury hotel chains.

And the low prices they’re offering at their chic boutique hotels in these tough economic times are no coincidence. “Over Kimpton’s 28 years in business, I don’t believe we’ve ever seen travelers in greater need of the extraordinary kindness and care they find at our hotels,” said Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

So, if you’re traveling anywhere in the US and Canada before September 7, be sure and check out the nearest Kimpton. And if your next trip is happening after that date? Stay tuned; we’ll tell you what’s up.

Book your Africa flight today or tomorrow for up to $500 off

We’ve mentioned other deals recently on Emirates flights, but when it comes to flights to Africa (read: typically expensive) this one is worth circling in red ink.

For today and tomorrow only, the first 500 people who book a flight from the US to Africa get $500 off Business Class airfare, or $150 off Economy Class airfare.

Emirates offers travel to 16 African cities on sale: Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Lagos, Luanda, Nairobi, Tripoli, and Tunis.

Buy the tickets online between July 14 at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) and July 15 at 11:59 p.m. (PDT). Travel through June 13, 2010.

$18 rooms at The Copley Square Hotel!

The Copley Square Hotel, Boston will be celebrating it’s 118th birthday tomorrow. What does this mean for you? Uber-cheap rates!

Starting at 1:18 pm ET and lasting 118 minutes, the Boston luxury hotel will offer rooms at $18 per night — up to 5 rooms per night (from July 14 until September 24, 2009) will be available for $18, and at least five more will be available for $118.

These rooms are going to be first come first serve, so be sure to visit their website right away at 1:18. The deal can only be booked through the website.

The Copley Square Hotel is Boston’s second oldest hotel, and just underwent at $18 million renovation. The property is environmentally friendly, WiFi equipped (complimentary), and has MP3 players, a fitness center and three venues for food and cocktails. Babe Ruth, President McKinley, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald have all stayed at The Copley Square Hotel.

Rates at this classy hotel normally average $265 – $590, so this is quite a bargain and a great excuse to visit Boston! Visit Copley Square Hotel Birthday Celebration for more information.

%Gallery-67351%

Southwest launches massive fare sale

Usually, we at Gadling don’t raise much fuss when an airline puts a few routes on sale. But Southwest really isn’t an airline when it comes to fare pricing. They’re a paradigm. When they drop fares, other airlines usually drop fares. As a result, shockwaves surge through the entire pricing network, travelers like you and I jump on tickets from any variety of carriers and everyone goes home happy. Doesn’t that sound nice?

So here’s the skinny. Southwest’s promotion puts fares on sale from $30 to $60 to $90, depending on distance. Travel is good from September 9th to November 18th for any day of the week except for Friday and Sunday.

Keep an eye out for price matching as well. For example, tickets from Detroit – Boston for $60 one way that may require a layover on Southwest may be the same price on a direct carrier.

The promotion runs through 11:59 tonight, so you’ve got some time to lock your tickets in, call your significant other and pull the trigger. Just don’t wait too long or availability might dry up.

Book your tickets at southwest.com, where the sale is prominently featured.