Sherman's Travel

Officially opening on February 1, Palihotel Melrose will offer designer digs, a killer location (especially for shopaholics) on Melrose Avenue, and insanely affordable rates. 32 rooms, though petite at 250 square feet, come with major Boho personality: brown and blue walls, distressed wood furnishings, and balconies (in some). The cafe-style Palikitchen will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Intro rates start from $150/night. www.pali-hotel.com

Following the recently opened Saguaro Scottsdale, The Saguaro Palm Springs, the second Saguaro from Joie de Vivre, debuts this February. Like its predecessor, the hotel will feature a vibrant color palette, envisioned by architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat, a playful vibe, and a Jose Garces restaurant. 249 rooms have patios or step-out balconies and simple modern furnishings that offset the colorful striped bedspreads, purple carpeted floors, and orange-and-pink accents. Pre-opening rates start from $99.50. www.jdvhotels.com

The Saguaro, the first Joie de Vivre property outside of California, opened in downtown Scottsdale in November. Departing from the commonplace adobe white-washed architecture in the area, Stamberg Aferiat architects played off the colors of local wildflowers to create a vibrant, eye-popping palette. The resort’s 194 rooms come with balconies or patios and views of either the Old Town or Civic Center Mall, pool area or garden; custom contemporary furnishings from Mexico; and accents in colorful hues right out of a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. Two heated pools are surrounded by yellow loungers and umbrellas. Iron Chef Jose Garces developed the menus at both of the hotel’s restaurants: Old Town Whiskey, a saloon-style bar (try the burger with bourbon-glazed cipollini, rogue blue cheese, applewood bacon, and foie gras); and Distrito, a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar with a tapas-style menu of Mexican favorites. For its first 100 days open, the resort is offering promo rates of $100/night (available for 100 rooms per week); use promo code PROPEN. Offer is valid until March 1. Regular nightly rates start from $194. www.jdvhotels.com

For general trip-planning info, see our Phoenix Travel Guide.

A pair of hotel openings hit Miami Beach this week, just in time for Art Basel. Whether down south for the art or the sun, check out these two affordable newbies.

Surfcomber The totally renovated and rebranded Surfcomber (now a Kimpton Hotel) opened yesterday on Collins Avenue. The 186-room oceanfront hotel has a playful vibe, stylish accommodations, and Kimpton’s personalized service and amenities. The pool deck and bevy of cabanas look inviting, as do the opening rates from only $149/night. www.surfcomber.com

Shelborne South Beach This Art Deco mainstay which spent the last two years under renovation reopened Wednesday. The look is retro glam, the vibe is sexy. The hotel’s own exhibition “Art of Night” features intimate celebrity images from nightlife photographer Seth Browarnik, but the catwalk runway connecting the two beachfront pool decks seems like the ultimate stage for eye candy. Opening rates here start from $159/night. Note: not all rooms have been renovated so be sure to request one. www.shelborne.com

For general trip-planning info, see our Miami Travel Guide.

Enjoy Los Angeles for less with these in-the-know budget hotel picks. Our Cali-based expert, Shaena Engle, rounds up her favorites which include quirky Hollywood classics like the country-modern Farmer’s Daughter Hotel, cool downtown hangouts like Figueroa and The Standard Downtown, and charming hideaways like the Venice Beach House. Best of all, these 10 Los Angeles budget hotels, all have rates for under $200/night, not to mention a taste of Hollywood glamour, sought-after ocean views, and even a chance for a celebrity encounter or two. Check out the full article here and see a preview of the hotels with our Top 10 Los Angeles Budget Hotels Slideshow.

To celebrate its 20^th anniversary, Villa Caletas and its newer neighbor Zephyr Palace are offering every other night for $20, even for one of the over-the-top palace suites (usually priced from $550/night and up). The two properties are tucked away on a secluded hilltop in Jaco. Both afford tony views of the lush countryside and Pacific, have serious infinity pools (Zephyr palace pool pictured), and share a private beach (complimentary transport takes guests down through the jungle trails to the shore). Villa Caletas comprises 49 rooms and bungalows scattered amid the jungle, while the Zephyr Palace is a kind of otherworldly manse with seven themed suites (the African suite is right out of Africa, and comes with floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views and a private balcony with hammock and Jacuzzi). Both are popular wedding and honeymoon spots.

THE VALUE: Book a night in any room at Villa Caletas or the Zephyr Palace, now through December 20, and get the second, fourth, sixth, eighth (and so on) for only $20/night. Room rates start from $180/night at Villas Caletas and $550/night at Zephyr Palace.

THE CATCH: Traveling in Costa Rica in summer/fall could mean more showers, but the light sprinkles or sporadic showers are often times refreshing.

THE DETAILS: Email reservations@villacaletas.com or call 011-506-2630-3000

WE’VE GOT MORE: For more trip-planning info see our Costa Rica Travel Guide then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on flights.

The Jane New York is a West Village landmark home to cool little “cabin-style rooms” and the remade Jane Ballroom, a trendy Victorian-style lobby bar with three spaces brimming with old-world ambience and overflowing with hipsters. One claim to fame is the hotel’s affordable teeny-tiny rooms (50 square feet) with communal baths, priced from $99/night. The larger Captain’s Cabins (250+ square feet) come with ensuite bathrooms, wainscoting, and vintage furnishings, and typically go for $350/night. The deal: Save $100 off this June 27 through September 6 with discounted rates from $250/night. Room amenities include free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, and iPod docks. www.janenyc.com; 212-924-6700

Hotelier and designer Ian Schrager has been a leader the hotel industry since he debuted the boutique hotel concept in 1984. This year he takes us in a new direction with his “anti-design,” “anti-flash” hotel brand, PUBLIC. PUBLIC Chicago (formerly the iconic Ambassador East) will be the first property transformed into Schrager’s vision this fall 2011 (grand opening date is scheduled for October 11). The tastemaker says he is “sick of slick,” and has gone for a simple, unassuming design for PUBLIC Chicago. “It is confident, self-assured, genuine and grounded, with no tricks or gimmicks.”

“Luxury, says Schrager, is no longer about spending the most money. It is about getting the best value and being made to feel special. This is not in response to difficult economic times, it is a true paradigm shift.”

Now that’s what we’ve been talking about! And with preview rates at $135/night, it seems Mr. Schrager is for real. As of today, design details are still sparse, but we know that there will be “no-color” guest rooms, intimate social spaces like The Living Room and The Library, a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a Stumptown Coffee bar, a screening room, a made-over Pump Room which will turn into a 40s-style supper club (with a twist) after hours, and a new front desk concept that will allow guests to customize their mini-bars and toiletries. Oh, and free Wi-Fi.

Sit tight. More on the PUBLIC to come . . .

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

While Manhattan just went through a serious hotel boom (with 15 or so hotels opening in 2010), neighboring boroughs like Brooklyn and Queens are following suit. The Sheraton Brooklyn (www.sheratonbrooklyn.com) seems to have jump-started the borough trend when it opened as Brooklyn’s first new full-service hotel in 12 years last May, and four more newbies are set to debut this spring and summer. Here’s a quick rundown of the openings, the on-trend digs, and the phenomenally affordable prices that are well worth the bridge or tunnel trek. Read more