Sherman's Travel

Nothing can help you relax and take your mind off the stresses of everyday life quite like a vacation. Throw a spa into the mix, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate relaxing getaway. Whether you’re heading out to the deserts of the Southwest or the beaches of Cancun, these spa vacation deals will clear your mind and recharge your batteries – without putting a dent in your wallet. Read more

This season’s bi-coastal airfare has hit rock-bottom rates, making travel from coast-to-coast more attractive than ever. From the Big Apple to sunny Southern California, here are some of today’s best hotel deals from East to West – and the cheap flights to get you there.

Fly to New York City for as little as $98 this winter, and then stay at the 4-star Millennium Broadway in Times Square for only $179 per night. You’ll receive $50 in “fun bucks” to be used towards your choice of city spending, like museums, theater, cab fares, or shopping. The Hotel Belleclaire, in the cultural hub of the Upper West Side (home to spots like Lincoln Center, The Museum of Natural History, and Central Park), starts from an incredible $89 on dates in February; choose the “holiday special” to book your room, which is valid for stays through March 31. Or, book a room in stylish Chelsea – known for its trendy galleries, bars, and restaurants – from just $161 per night in February at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton New York City. Read more

Anticipating the fall season conjures up many thoughts: foliage, football, harvest festivals . . . 4-star hotels? Maybe not the first thing that comes to mind, but for our new weekly roundup of favorite travel deals, we found a number of hot bargains for stays at 4-star properties during September, October, or November.

Not quite ready to embrace sweater weather? Stay at the posh Viceroy Palm Springs for as little as $111 per night on weeknights throughout the fall. That’s $60 less than the lowest rates you’ll find anywhere else, including the biggest online travel agencies (you know who we’re talking about). You’ll feel simultaneously relaxed and so very stylish lying by the minimalist pool with a cocktail in hand, or getting a massage at the indoor-outdoor spa. The hotel is also within walking distance to downtown Palm Springs and some of the area’s best golf courses. Read more

Some hotels are merely a place to rest your head at night, but others hold fascinating tales of wartime refuges, remarkable wildlife, valuable art, and ghostly spirits that refuse to let go. Sign up to be amazed and maybe learn a thing or two on these exceptional hotel tours.

Until recently, most people had forgotten there was an air raid shelter underneath the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi, Vietnam. When staff discovered it during some routine work on the pool area, however, the hotel decided to excavate the bunker and restore it to its original state. Now, hotel guests can participate in nightly tours that highlight the shelter’s famous past residents – including Joan Baez, who recorded “Where Are You Now My Son” there in 1972 – and Hotel Metropole’s role during the Vietnam War.

An in-house historian leads groups through the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, each Wednesday through Saturday to reveal such nuggets as the unlikely origins of the hotel and President Calvin Coolidge’s preference to dine with the hotel staff during his visits. The tour costs $5 for guests, $10 for non-guests; alternatively, book the tour and a three-course lunch at Marchand’s Bar & Grill for $25.

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This summer, relax in the spa haven of Palm Desert in Southern California with a stay at the 4.5-star JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Rooms start from just $118 per night with this deal, which saves 40 percent on seasonal rates at this luxury hotel.

The JW Marriott Desert Springs features 23 acres of man-made waterways, making for an island feel in the middle of the desert. The resort also boasts two 18-hole championship golf courses, a luxurious full-service spa, four swimming pools, three spa tubs, six restaurants, tennis courts, a Starbucks, and a nightclub. The resort is just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs.

All rooms at the JW Marriott Desert Springs include private balconies or patios, marble and granite bathrooms, HDTVs, and high-speed internet.

Book online by June 25 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa website and enter the promo code D59. This deal is valid on select Sundays through Thursdays from July 1 through September 25.

For more trip-planning information, check out our Palm Springs destination guide, and then use our TravelSearch price comparison tool when booking flights.

Before my recent trip, I hadn’t been to Palm Springs in over 20 years. Now, I wonder what took me so long to return. It’s a wonderful vacation destination for short stays of four nights or for longer stays of a week. Palm Springs is desert beauty – pure and simple.

The soaring, rocky mountains, barren as they are, remind me of certain Greek islands in the Aegean but without the surrounding sea. In the canyon sits Palm Springs with its charming main street, Palm Canyon Drive, filled with boutiques. Check out the cute shop Pawz for wonderful dog items, for your own pets or for gifts. There’s also a lovely hidden courtyard in back of the shop where you will find people sitting, reading, and sipping coffee, with beautiful gardens and a view of the mountains. Further along the street, a number of restaurants offer outdoor dining.

Palm Springs is known for golfing so if you like golf, this is paradise. I’m not a golfer but I love hiking and walking. For an unforgettable outdoor experience, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (pictured above) for the 10-minute ride up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. There is a large, almost magical alpine forest up top, with trees, rambling creeks, and even snow! Tip: Bring a jacket or sweater – it’s 30 degrees cooler up there! There are dozens of trails and hiking them (for one hour, a half day, or all day) is extremely relaxing and puts one close to nature. The views of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking. The San Jacinto forest is one of the most unique experiences in the U.S., I feel.

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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

Take a break from your holiday shopping to book one of these amazing Cyber Monday hotel deals, with rates up to 60 percent off!

• Loews Hotel: Get 20 percent off at 15 hotels, with rates from $104. Available all day today.
• British Colonial Hilton, Bahamas: With rates from $129/night, you’ll save 30 percent on stays December 10-23. Sale ends today!
• Fairmont Mayakoba: This Five Diamond Riviera Maya hotel is on sale for $199/night.
• Z NYC: This brand new hotel will offer rates of $128/night on the 28th of the month for the first six months of 2012. Hurry! You can only book from 12:00pm to 12:28pm today!
• Kura Hulanda Resorts, Curacao: Get the third night free at one of two luxury properties on the island.
• Viceroy Palm Springs: Facebook fans of the hotel can score rates of $75/night, plus some stellar perks.
• Charles Hotel, Boston: The Four Diamond Boston property is slashing rates 50 percent, to start at $99/night. The low rates are only bookable between 11:28am and 12:29:28pm.
• Hotel Thirty Thirty, NYC: Stay at this Midtown NYC hotel for just $129/night. The sale ends Tuesday.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.

Check in to old school Hollywood glamour at the Viceroy Palm Springs, a secluded oasis in L.A.’s playground. Take advantage of Italian designer linens, an indulgent spa, and a fashionable restaurant. By booking the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving, Viceroy Facebook fans can score rates of just $75/night on weekdays and $150/night on weekends. As an added perk, guests will enjoy 50 percent off the resort fee, 25 percent off spa services, and 25 percent off food and drink throughout their stay. The special rates are valid for stays November 29 through December 30.

THE VALUE: Standard rates at the Viceroy Palm Springs start at $180/night during this time period, so the savings is close to 60 percent.

THE CATCH: A three-night minimum stay is required. Payment must be made in full at booking and is non-refundable. Blackout dates include December 26-27.

THE DETAILS: Be sure to “like” the Viceroy Palm Springs Facebook page. The hotel will post a special code just for fans on Sunday, November 27 which can only be used on November 27 and 28. Find details on this and other Viceroy Cyber Monday deals at www.viceroyhotelgroup.com/cybermonday.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights to Palm Springs.

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

Yup, you read that headline right: There’s still a Pride left in 2011! Capping off an amazing year of celebrations around the world, the 25th annual Palm Springs Pride kicks off next weekend, November 5-6, with the typical trappings (parade, block parties, giant consumer festival in the baseball stadium) all under clear desert skies and 90-degree weather. Fall really is the best time to experience the Coachella Valley.

Although if you’re craving an alternative “yay to gay” at this point, the Ace Hotel & Swim Club (where else?) has you covered with Hands On, a five-day celebration of queer music and culture. From November 2-7, catch an incredible line-up of performers, artists, DJs from both coasts, plus film screenings, a gallery show by photographer Jeremy Kost, and a pop-up shop curated by BUTT Magazine with nary a camp rainbow in sight. Save 15 percent on rooms and treatments at the Feel Good Spa , too. Full details below.

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