Sherman's Travel

The exclusive island of Mustique in the Grenadines – a stunning landscape dotted with ritzy villas frequented by some of the world’s wealthiest – has just one full-service hotel, Cotton House. Mingle among the islands VIPs with Cotton House’s “Summer Sizzler” package, where guests who book five nights at the hotel get two free nights. On top of that, the package includes a $500 hotel credit for use on such luxuries as the Italian-influenced Veranda restaurant or spa treatments. Rates start at $520/night.

Read more

Perched on the spectacular bluffs of Punta Ballena just four miles from Cabo San Lucas, the 5-star Esperanza Resort provides lavish oceanfront accommodations with stunning views of Sea of Cortez. Resort guests can spend an active day at sea with guided whale watching and scuba diving excursions, or unwind beachside with an enticing selection of award-winning spa services and daily yoga classes. Spacious resort villas have full kitchens and outdoor terraces with in-room amenities like flat-screen TVs with DVD players, stereos, and iPod docking stations. Indulge in a 5-night villa stay and enjoy two additional nights at no extra cost from now through October 31.  The 7-night Villa Summer Retreat special includes daily breakfast, gym access and round-trip airport transfers. Summer villa rates start at $1,250/night.

Most of us have wondered what it would be like to travel for more than the standard two-week block of vacation time typically allotted each year. I know I still wish I had taken a few months after college to gallivant around Europe. Well, if you’ve ever wished you had the means or the moxie to spend a year abroad traveling, you should enter Hyatt Hotels Big Welcome Contest which will award three winners (one per region in North America, Europe and Asia) 365 free nights at any Hyatt Hotels worldwide and 1 million frequent flyer miles to help get you to your chosen destinations; both valid through June 30, 2014. So whether you just want to live the hotel life for a year or host a big destination wedding or event, why not do it with Hyatt for free. To enter the contest, enter your Hyatt Gold Passport number or enroll in the program and submit a 250-word essay answering the question: How would you spend 365 free nights at Hyatt to create an unforgettable experience? You can also send a video or audio photo to compliment your essay. Entries must be submitted by May 13, 2009, with the final grand prize winners announced on or around June 12, 2009. For more information and to enter click here.

The winner of the Big Welcome content was announced in June: Bill Jolly took the prize with his video entry. See it here.

Families planning a trip to Orlando this spring or summer should consider a special package currently on offer from Universal Studios. Book a three-night stay at a hotel near universal and your clan can now enjoy two extra nights for free. Starting at $689 for a family of four – or just $35/night per person – the offer covers accommodations at a hotel near Universal and unlimited theme park admission. This value-driven package will give you all the time you need to experience non-stop excitement and theme park thrills like the brand new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Rising to 17 stories above the park, this high-tech coaster catapults passengers through record-setting loops at dizzying 65 mile per hour speeds. For longer stays, consider a four-night package for $789 to stay and play for three additional complimentary nights. Travel is available though October 8, but reservations must be booked by March 29.