Sherman's Travel

The City of Light is rich with haute hotels. The grandest of dames line the posh streets of Paris’ 1st and 8th arrondissements, where affordable room rates are as rare as the 130 euro entrecôte steak served at dinner.

This summer, travelers with Veuve Clicquot tastes but PBR budgets can still sample the high life at three of the city’s ritziest digs. Luxury icons Le Bristol, Mandarin Oriental, and Raffles have debuted swank summer gardens currently open to the public. From Michelin-starred snacks to Dom Pérignon by the glass, these new spots provide the perfect taste of luxe Parisian hospitality – for considerably less than your average overnight. Read more

Whether you borrow a free bike for a cycle through a new neighborhood or kick off your shoes for yoga on the beach, fitness can become an enjoyable part of your vacation. And hotels are getting creative to help guests stay healthy on the road. On your next trip, skip the treadmill in exchange for one of the following fun fitness options; here are five of our free favorites!

1. Free Salsa Classes: Mezzanine, Tulum, Mexico

While clocking in 45 minutes of cardio might not sound too appealing on a beach vacation to Mexico’s Riviera Maya, how about a salsa lesson on a beachfront patio? At Mezzanine boutique hotel a local salsa school offers free classes on Sundays at 6pm, followed by a live salsa band that will provide the soundtrack to work on your new skills. Read more

For more than two decades, Nobu has delighted the palates of sushi lovers around the world, thanks to the culinary chops of star chef Nobu Matsuhisa and the Hollywood glitz of actor Robert DeNiro, who partnered with Matsuhisa in 1993 to open 27 swanky restaurants all over the world. Now, the restaurant has added a whole new element to its menu: a hotel. Opened in February in Las Vegas, the 181-room Nobu Hotel, located in the Centurion Tower of Caesars Palace, is a zen, Asian-themed oasis that offers a welcome respite from the perpetual pandemonium of Sin City. Read more

From its dreamy Mediterranean coastline to Istanbul’s thrilling cuisine and nightlife, Turkey basks in the spotlight as one of the hottest travel destinations for 2013. But in recent days, images of the political protests in Istanbul – and volatile clashes with riot police – have been splashed across the international press. As a result, hotel booking engines are reporting a sharp decrease in searches for Turkey. Could this spell a golden opportunity to visit – with major discounts? Or is it unsafe? Read more

Last year when I surveyed the hotel amenities landscape I was wowed by an in-room light switch I discovered in my hotel room that allowed me to toggle on a “Do Not Disturb” light outside my door – rather than dealing with the cumbersome task of opening the door to place a little hanging sign on the knob. I’ve since encountered this nifty switch in other hotels and I’m already at the point where I’m disappointed if my room isn’t equipped with one.

My expectation that even the most basic hotel room will have a “go away” switch – along with bathrobes that won’t tear my skin and above-average bath products – neatly illustrates a historic challenge: When today’s “nice to have” amenity is a “must have” inclusion by tomorrow, how do hotels keep up with and outdo their competition? The answer? Keep plugging away and never stop trying to elicit surprise from your guests, which is what the following crop of amenities tries to do. Read more

Manhattan travel is out. Well…not really. But outer borough travel is certainly on the rise, which doesn’t come as a surprise to this New York resident. More and more travelers are flocking across the East River to Brooklyn and Queens to set up a home base for their New York City exploration. And why shouldn’t they? For just a fraction of the price, and even more wow-worthy views, the outer boroughs are where it’s at. Here we take a look at some of the hot hotels rising in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City, just one quick stop out of Manhattan on the number 7 train.

1. Z NYC Hotel

Topping the LIC charts is the Z NYC Hotel. This boutique hotel is going for an old-New York vibe, with Jazz Age themes set alongside that industrial-chic décor that’s so hot right now. If the décor doesn’t pull you in, stay here for the Manhattan skyline views alone. From Z Roof, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, guests can take in both signature cocktails and amazing New York City views in 360-degree panorama (see above). Although it may be too late to snag a spot here for the Fourth of July fireworks (but you never know), keep this hotel in mind for next year’s celebrations. Z Roof promises to be the best seat in the house. Rates start at $200/night. Read more

Have some fun in the sun while enjoying special summer rates on the 35-mile stretch of white-sand beaches in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. As part of the “100 Days of Summer” promotion, you can secure rates as low as $107 per night as well as extras like complimentary upgrades, breakfast in bed, and more. Sample offers include: Read more

Soaring, white-capped Andean mountains, saline lakes, active volcanoes, salt flats as far as the eye can see, geysers, and flamingos (yes, flamingos!) – the geography of Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest on Earth, is as varied as it is breathtaking. It’s truly an otherworldly part of the world, with lunar-like landscapes, a mysterious, isolated feel, and, with cloudless nights and wide-open skies, stargazing opportunities galore. Read more

Every destination has a taste or sound that burrows deep into our memory, instantly transporting us back. For me, In Cartagena, Colombia, the taste is mojitos and the sound is live music by a son cubano band.

Moments after the music strikes up, locals are on the dance floor, entangled in twosomes or gatherings of old friends. Both inside and out of the old walled city of Cartagena, there are bars, clubs, and outdoor venues where ceiling fans spin, mint leaves are muddled, and the band takes the stage several times a night. For music, mojitos, or both, here are some favorite places to drink and dance in Cartagena. Read more

Oasis Collections, an American-run, South American-based short-term apartment rental agency – and self-dubbed “curators of stylish pads” – has recently launched a series of budget-friendly upscale vacation rentals, spanning some of South America’s hottest destinations, for under $250/night. Read more