Sherman's Travel

One of the best spa deals I’ve seen this year – or possibly ever –  is offered now through April 28, 2011, at new The Spa at The Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, Vermont, which opened in September.

The Pampered & Great Spa Escape costs $888 and comes with accommodations for two nights in a standard guestroom and $888 in spa credit. So you see, the math could not work out any better in your favor.

The $888 of spa credit is applied per room, per stay, based on double occupancy, which means you and your husband, wife, or BFF can both use the credit. That’s $222 per night, with full-size spa treatments – not those cheapy 30-minute ones you can find on spa packages.

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Satisfy your inner samurai this winter and say “Ohaiyou!” to Japan with exclusive new packages from gay pal American Airlines, especially when they start flying direct into Tokyo Haneda airport, shaving an hour off the transfer from distant Narita.

Book by December 31 and travel between January 11 and February 28, 2011 for only $899 (plus tax/international fees) round-trip economy per person from Los Angeles including at least a three-night and up to six consecutive night stay at a three-star hotel. Airfare is near that much on it’s own, so it’s like getting the (typically expensive) hotel for free! Fly nonstop to Narita from Chicago for $60 more, Dallas for $110, and New York‘s JFK for only $100 more – including the Haneda route beginning January 20. Prices are per person, based on double-occupancy. Read more

Those on the lookout for an affordable tropical getaway this winter might want to consider the brand-new Villa Del Palmar Cancun, opening this Christmas Eve. At the beachfront property in Playa Mujeres (25 minutes north of Cancun), all 150 rooms and suites feature superb ocean views, not to mention private balconies, kitchenettes, and spa tubs.

Also on offer are two swimming pools (one for adults only) with a pool butler, four hot tubs, and two poolside spa huts. Two restaurants serve Mexican and international cuisine, with sushi available at an outdoor lounge in the evenings; a beach bar will open in February 2011. A shuttle service provides transfers to Cancun’s downtown and the hotel zone.

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The Deal Knock as much as 50 percent off rates. Book a one-bedroom garden condo for stays through December 15 for as little as $179/night (or a two-bedroom garden condo for $219/night or more).

Stay Located on an ocean bluff in Wailea, the Outrigger Palms offers comfortable one- and two-bedroom condo-style units, each with a private lanai, garden or ocean views, two full baths, a kitchen, and a washer-dryer. The resort is close to three championship golf courses, a tennis club, and fantastic beaches.

Details Receive a $50 grocery gift card and an eco tote bag. Kids receive a gift bag.

Book It Call 800-688-7444 and mention ShermansPWR, or book online at outrigger.com/ShermansPWR

From the Fall 2010 issue of Smart Luxury Travel magazine by ShermansTravel.com.

For general trip-planning information, see our Maui Travel Guide.

Call us an itinerant gander or simply weak, but when the temperature starts dropping we start looking south to more sunny isles. And thanks to a childhood raised on the sweet nothings of the Beach Boys, Kokomo always pops into our head about this time of year. “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya…” Yes, please! Except Jamaica, with official government homophobia and criminalized male-male sex it didn’t earn the title “Most Homophobic Place on Earth” by Time magazine for nothing.

Aruba, on the other hand, is as gay friendly as they come in the Caribbean, along with its Netherland Antilles brethren such as Curaçao, the world’s newest country. And now with two new deals geared specifically towards LGBT travelers, the time is nigh to sample its iridescent waters, sugary beaches, and near-perfect weather. (Off-season, scmoff-season, the mid-80s temps only fluctuate about 5 degrees throughout the year.) Read more

The gays may have “discovered” South Beach, but what once was a queer-led renaissance has devolved into a major hetero Situation. But fret not, there’s glamour still beneath the Ed Hardy and hair gel, and the soon-to-open Lords South Beach (LordsSouthBeach.com; soft opening November 21) is primed to tease it out in the heart of the Art Deco District with Miami Beach’s first proper gay hotel.

Paying tribute to the trailblazing spirit of Versace – the Villa by Barton G, née the Versace Mansion, is just a block away as is the 12th street gay beach and debauch central Twist (TwistSoBe.com) – and channeling the high-class joie de vivre of St. Tropez cabanas, the Nash Hotel gets a spirited and eclectic (polar bear mascot, anyone?), yellow-striped makeover just in time for the White Party (WhiteParty.org; November 24-29). And early bookers will save a bundle: 10 percent off one night, 15 percent off two-three nights and 20 percent off stays of four or more nights on any stays between November 21-30 applied automatically at checkout. After November 30, code SOBE will get you 10 percent off your stay anytime until January 1. Read more

The Deal After booking two nights, readers will score a third night free. Discount rates will average about $283/night (down from the usual $425/night).

Stay One of Waikiki’s oldest hotels, The Moana Surfrider, underwent a Starwood remake in 2007 that added a spa and modernized guest rooms. The grand dame’s classic colonial charms remain, such as the columned lobby, original porte cochère, and a large front porch with rocking chairs.

Details A room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, one yoga lesson and spa access for a day, 15 percent off spa treatments, and 20 percent off meals. Travel by December 24.

Book It Book with promotion code Sherman; 866-716-8140; starwoodhotelshawaii.com/shermanstravelspecial

From the Fall 2010 issue of Smart Luxury Travel magazine by ShermansTravel.com

For general trip-planning information, see our Oahu Travel Guide.

With several of the big ski resorts out west already reporting significant snowfall, it’s time to start thinking about your ski and snowboard plans for the winter. Hitting the slopes on vacation doesn’t have to mean a hard hit to your wallet, however, with these “ski free” packages from hotels in some of North America’s premier ski destinations.

Limelight Lodge, Aspen This family-owned lodge in central Aspen sits at the foot of the namesake mountain. The hotel’s Ski Package offers two free lift tickets for each day of your stay minus one (e.g. two 2-day passes for a three-night stay). Including the ski passes and accommodations, a three-night stay costs $915 and a four-night stay costs $1,315 – a savings of 30 percent. Three-night minimum stay required; some blackout dates apply. www.limelightlodge.com

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The Deal Two-bedroom town houses (sleeping as many as six people) usually go for $800/night, but our readers will pay just $560/night with a five-night deal.

Stay Stretch out in a private house at posh Puunoa Beach Estates on Maui’s west coast near Lahaina. The gated estate fronts a lovely stretch of beach. The 10 town houses include living areas with vaulted ceilings, sliding glass doors opening onto a private lanai, full kitchens, free Internet access, and daily maid service. Puunoa Beach Estates also offers a swimming pool, barbecues, a gym, and a grocery delivery service.

Details Travel through December 20 or from January 4 to December 20 of next year.

Book It Call 888/855-8316 by December 31 and mention Sherman’s Travel; puunoabeachestates.com

From the Fall 2010 issue of Smart Luxury Travel magazine by ShermansTravel.com

For general trip-planning information, see our Maui Travel Guide.

A winding commute across the North-Pacific, Sydney, Australia, is a hotbed of trendsetting gastronomy, fashion, and eco-tourism, and a must-see city for travel enthusiasts of all walks of life. Follow your wanderlust with this eight-day Sydney vacation from Gate 1 Travel, clocking in at just $1,259 per person, including round-trip airfare (a steady $992 when booked separately in April and May). This Aussie steal includes a five-night stay at the 3-star Ibis World Square hotel (proximal to Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay), daily breakfast, and airline fuel surcharges.

THE VALUE: The advertised rate offers departures during Australia’s peak travel times and most comfortable climates in April, May, and June.

THE CATCH: You’ll have to spend at least 26 hours in air transit to visit this far-flung continent.

THE BOOKING: Visit Gate 1 Travel to book.

WE’VE GOT MORE: For trip-planning tips and information, visit our Sydney Travel Guide.

Check out our Adventure Travel blog for more exotic getaways.