Sherman's Travel

I just got back from my first trip to an all-inclusive resort, and I actually really enjoyed the experience. Aside from taking in the sun and sand, I also learned a lot about the different people you’ll find at nearly every all-inclusive resort. Here are my researched and field-tested findings.  Read more

ShermansTravel editors already consider The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun a smart splurge, but the resort no doubt recognizes the need in these difficult economic times to boost its splurge-worthiness, hence its Stay Four Nights Pay Only For Three offer, starting at $249 per night and valid through December 21.

Given that the deal includes an ocean view room with a balcony, you might be tempted to leave the kids at home. But because that’s likely not an option, you’ll like the fact that the offer permits up to two children younger than 12 accompanied by a grown-up to eat selected meals for free in all six of the resort’s restaurants; poolside snacks are included, too.

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Escape to winter wonderland this ski season at the Topnotch Resort and Spa, an idyllic country estate in Stowe, Vermont. Mid-week visits start at $129 and weekends at $209, a savings of up to 40 percent a night off standard rates. Just minutes from the world-famous Stowe Mountain Resort, Topnotch offers an on-demand shuttle to and from the resort and an on-site ski shop. Spend your day blazing trails at the Ski Capital of the East, then come back to the resort for a luxurious après-ski experience. Linger over a dinner made with organic local ingredients, treat yourself to a massage at the spa, or curl up with a good book in your luxurious bedroom. If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your thing, there’s plenty else to do in Stowe, from sleigh-riding to perusing shops and relaxing at a café in the charming New England village.

THE VALUE: Save up to 40 percent a night throughout the entire ski season.

THE CATCH: Weekend rates are significantly higher than mid-week rates.

THE DETAILS: Visit Topnotch Resort to book your stay by September 25.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to Vermont, and visit our Vermont Travel Guide.

Extend your summer glow all through fall with this Hawaii sale from Aston Hotels & Resorts. The 50 Days of Aloha sale slashes rates to as low as $79 a night for select Hawaii hotels. Stay in a room with a garden view at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel on Kauai, or island hop around to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island for savings at other resorts. Book from July 11 through August 29 and travel through August 1 and December 1. Plus, kids 17 and younger stay and eat for free at Aston resorts, saving even more!

THE VALUE: Rooms at Aston hotels typically go for close to $200 a night, so this deal saves over $120, depending on which property you choose.

THE CATCH: Prices don’t include tax and blackout dates may apply.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit Aston Hotels’ website.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Find great deals on flights flights to Hawaii using our Travel Search tool, and check out what to do when you get there with our Hawaii Travel Guide.

Last week the Ritz-Carlton launched its highly anticipated loyalty program, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, for frequent-stay customers. Though loyalty programs have typically been the domain of airlines and mid-range hotel chains, the luxury brand is trying to attract business and leisure travelers to boost hotel occupancy. The high-end hotel business has suffered from the economic recession, and the Ritz-Carlton responded to customer feedback that indicated an increased demand for enticements.

This rewards program offers more than the usual complimentary stays and airline flights. The program will also allow members to redeem points for unique travel experiences such as personal shopping at Neiman Marcus stores or National Geographic Expeditions photography workshops.

The Ritz-Carlton is partnering with its parent company’s program, Marriott Rewards, so members of that program can now earn points and benefits at Ritz-Carlton Hotels. As of now, the hotel’s major competitor, the Four Seasons, has no plans to start a similar loyalty program.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, airfare, packages, and more.

It was featured in the spring 2010 issue of ShermansTravel, but it’s such a great deal, we decided to feature it on Daily Deals as well. The summer is the best time to check out luxury Caribbean resorts that are super pricey during the high season, especially because islands like St. Bart’s aren’t unbearably hot thanks to the cool breezes and temperate climate. (Plus the off-season means that the boutiques have great sales and the beaches are less crowded.) Frequented by high society “snow birds” during the winter season, the famed Eden Rock has summer packages with rates that are 42% off the January-April prices. A boutique oceanfront hotel, the Eden Rock’s accommodations range from a charming garden cottage to the new spacious, high-design villas, each with their own unique personality and amenities. It’s the perfect setting for a fairytale beach getaway to one of the Caribbean’s prettiest islands.

THE VALUE: With the 4-day, 3-night Pick Me Up package, rates start at 395 euros or $510 — 42% percent less than high-season rates. Plus, a stay at the Eden Rock is packed with amenities including airport transfers, welcome wine and snack, daily breakfast and free use of a car. 

THE CATCH: Book a minimum of three nights for the offer. Cancellations less than 29 days before will result in forfeit of deposit; for cancellations 10 days and less, the total stay will be charged. *The resort is closed August 29-October 16.

THE DETAILS: Check the Eden Rock web site for prices and details. Call 877-563-7105 for reservations.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Read our St. Bart’s Travel Guide. 

See more Caribbean Travel Deals. 

Compare flights with our Travel Search. 

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.

This is a chance to really live it up for less. One of the Caribbean’s top-rated resorts, Cap Juluca, just introduced a handful of killer packages designed to get you to Anguilla, a heavenly island that you’ll never want to leave. When you think of a sugar white beach, clear sapphire water and soft breezes blowing through palms, this is the Caribbean dream that you’ve been having. In possession of the island’s best beach and only golf course, a Greg Norman-designed 18-holer, the resort romances its guests staying in the decked-out, Morrocan-style villas, each of which has an ocean view.

THE VALUE: The Discover Package offers guests a $100 credit per night to be used anywhere in the resort; so for four nights 1 guestroom receives a $400 credit. The Paradise Awaits Package gives guests $600 in airfare credit per room with a four-night stay. The Stay in Luxury Package includes a free upgrade from an Oceanfront Superior Room to an Oceanfront Luxury Room. Daily breakfast included in all.

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Explore the Colorado Rockies sans snow this summer with free guided nature hikes up and around Vail Mountain, fly fishing, kayaking, and more. Best of all, primo resorts like The Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail have slashed their prices for summer guests, from $199/night and $149/night, respectively (that’s over 50 percent less than standard winter rates!). Aside from taking advantage of all the free summer activities on the mountain, Vail also plays host to a few cultural festivals like the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Vail International Dance Festival. Be sure to check out Hot Summer Nights Tuesday Free Concert Series and Thursday jazz concerts outside the Arrabelle at Vail Square and Sunday jazz concerts at the Vail Farmer’s Market. Discounted prices and free perks are available through Labor Day. Visit rockresorts.com to book.

For more trip-planning info, see our Vail and Beaver Creek Travel Guide.

Cutting their rates down to size, One Ski Hill Place condominium resort in Breckenridge, Colo., runs its summer special, starting from $75 per person, per night (based on double occupancy), on one-bedroom accommodations — a 33% discount. A brand-new member of the Four-Diamond-recognized RockResorts family, this residential property aligns with conservationist and investor, Laurance Rockefeller’s — yes, that Rockefeller — vision for luxury that coexists with environmental stewardship.

THE VALUE: Opening their doors for the first time on June 1, One Ski Hill lavishes guests with daily free breakfast and fantastic rates through June 30. Revel in the prime, mountainside digs, miles of hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and visit the Peak 8 Fun Park. Prefer the powdery slopes in Colorado better? This ski-in, ski-out resort also offers an Early Bird wintertime package, with rates starting from $81 per person, per night (save 44 percent!), and access to four Breckenridge peaks.

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These are the Daily Deal’s favorite ShermansTravel deals from the past week. Through July 5, La Posada de Santa Fe in New Mexico is offering a Mother’s Day Celebration package starting at $235/nt whose highlight is a $200 spa credit plus more perks. The sleek, award-winning La Posada typifies easy-going Southwestern culture. Plus, American Airlines has new flights to Santa Fe from L.A., making the charming town extra-accessible. Visit www.laposada.rockresorts.com to book this offer, or call 505-986-0000.

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