Sherman's Travel

In the harried chaos of airports, a frequent-flier lounge is a veritable oasis. Several airlines offer passengers quiet corners to unwind before takeoff, where they can enjoy drinks, WiFi, and a bit of peace. A drawback is many lounges, though secluded, don’t offer much in the way of views. If you’re lucky enough to find a spot with a window, the most you can hope to see is a small patch of the runway or an abandoned luggage cart. Plus, as much as you’d love to crack open that window a smidge, you still won’t get a whiff of fresh air until touchdown. Delta Air Lines will change that with plans to construct lounges that offer all their standard luxuries, and more. Read more

Book your room at least 21 days in advance and score savings of 20 percent at the Hudson New York. We ran through several dates in late July and August and found that prices remained in the $194–$230/night range. The Hudson Hotel still maintains bragging rights for its 15^th-floor sky terrace and fantastical style, courtesy of Philippe Starck. Rooms are small, but it’s hard to beat the dreamy atmosphere in the library, with its sky-high bookcases, or the peaceful private park, especially in the warm summer months. The Midtown West location puts visitors in close proximity to Central Park. To get the deal, rate must be fully prepaid and can not be refunded. www.hudsonhotel.com

For general trip-planning info, see our New York City Travel Guide.

The new high-tech Yotel in New York’s Times Square employs a “Yobot” (bag-checking robot) to do it’s heavy-lifting. Essentially a 20-foot robotic arm parked in the lobby stores luggage in lockers for guests pre- and post-check-in/out (no Johnny 5-like bot qualities, unfortunately). And the techie fun doesn’t end there. Instead of a front desk manned by clerks, guests check in via airport-style kiosks that pop out key cards and receipts. Most rooms are dubbed “cabins” for their petite proportions (170 square feet) but their smart ergonomic design, thanks to aircraft designers, makes great use of the mini space, with convertible beds, glass-enclosed bathrooms (with towel-warming racks), built-ins, and big windows. Swish suites come with hot tubs, mechanical beds that transform into sofas, and a “technowall” with TV/music pug-ins. Eatery and lounge Dohyo has hydraulic tables that sink into floor after dinner to make room for cabaret performances and dancing patrons. Best of all, Yotel, one of the largest new city hotels with 669 rooms, has going rates for just $180/night, including free Wi-Fi, domestic calls, yoga, and breakfast muffins and coffee. Note to NYC locals looking for an outdoor drinking spot: Yotel has the largest hotel terrace in the city. www.yotel.com

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

From the rooftop of the new Rosewood San Miguel del Allende, we could see clear across the city. It was springtime and the flowering Jacaranda trees punctuated the rows of colorful colonial villas and cobblestone streets. The neo-Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel with its pink spires and sandstone facade rose above the city like a mythical beacon and accented the sky’s dusty pink hues as the sun set behind it. It’s no wonder San Miguel de Allende is such an arts community. It’s beauty and relaxed pace is inspiring, and I sat there thinking how easy it would be to fill a blank canvas with this view: purple puffs of paint for the Jacarandas, yellows and reds for the haciendas, blue accents for the doors, window frames, and quickly turning sky. From this perch, we sat evening after evening, sipping fresh tamarind margaritas, snacking on warm tortilla chips, chatting with our waiter-friend – all the while watching the sun disappear behind Central Mexico’s oldest town. Read more

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

Guests are invited to daydream and stargaze on The Betsy Hotel’s nautically themed rooftop, available for rent since October 6. “The Deck,” as The Betsy calls it, is available for gatherings ranging from the intimate (20-50 guests) to the happening (up to 200 guests). The long-term goal is to make the deck a public open-air nightclub (to compliment the hotel’s already famous B-Bar located in the basement) but recent attempts have been thwarted by neighboring condo residents who complain about late-night noise; The Betsy’s recent petition was denied by the Miami planning board. In the meantime, while the hotel re-files its case, the deck lounge is available for exclusive-only daytime or nighttime party privileges.  A one-night rental costs about $7,500 for a gathering of 20-50 or $25,000 for groups of 150-200 (both costs including food and beverage from the hotel’s BLT Steak restaurant).

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Explore the concrete jungle this summer with low rates and fabulous city swag from boutique Affinia Hotels in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York City. Offering guests a chance to document their urban adventures via complimentary Flip Video Camcorder (worth $150), reservations start from a reasonable $209/night at their Chicago, Magnificent Mile location – complete with a rooftop lounge – and also include a $10 Metrocard and an Affinia tote bag. 
 
THE VALUE: Affinia Hotels are known for their spotless service, myriad amenities (magnetic therapy pillow, fitness kit, golf putter), and gorgeous design.

THE CATCH: The unfortunate two-night booking max!

THE DETAILS: Visit www.affinia.com for more information or book at individual hotels through September 6.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out other great Hotel Deals.

Browse the Savvy Flyer blog for under-the-radar airfare bargains.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find other great hotel, airfare, and vacation deals.

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There’s nothing quite like surveying the majestic New York City skyline while sipping a cocktail as the sun slowly dips below the Hudson River. Thanks to a whole slew of new rooftop bars opening in the Big Apple, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy sky-high drinks this summer.

Top of the Strand at The Strand Hotel Debuting December 2009, this rooftop watering hole is bound to become even more popular now that the weather is balmy and the sliding roof can finally be opened. The chic 21st-floor lounge was designed by Lydia Marks, whose credits include the sets for the first Sex and the City movie and The Devil Wears Prada. 

Glass Bar at Hotel Indigo Set in nightclub-heavy Chelsea, 20th-floor Glass Bar provides a rooftop respite from the hustle and bustle of the streets below. The bar opened May 14; Monday is swing night with live music by The Michael Fredo Orchestra.

Private roof garden at The Surrey This Upper East Side rooftop officially opens this weekend, but don’t try to casually stop by for a drink – the exclusive seasonal space is only open to hotel guests. The garden, located on the 17th floor, looks out over Central Park. Guests can enjoy casual dining and specialty cocktails (delivered by butler) from morning to night.

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Come summer, most New Yorkers are on the prowl for the best rooftop bar, outdoor space, or long-lost friend who miraculously landed an apartment in a building with a pool. This season’s search just got a bit easier, thanks to the W’s latest event series: Summer Sundays. Starting this Sunday, June 7, the W New York (its rooms just underwent a $40 million renovation) will be opening up the terraces of their presidential suites for cocktail parties alfresco.

Here’s the scoop:
Where: W New York; 541 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street.
When: Sundays beginning June 7 (6pm-10pm).
Who: To get invited, just email wny.summersundays@whotels.com and you’ll receive an invite each week which you’ll then RSVP to if you plan on attending. One guest is permitted per person.
The Setting: Wraparound terraces, 17 stories high, feature teak flooring, oversized daybeds, cedar cocoon chairs, chaise lounges, and pool tables.
The Booze: A cash bar is available as well as bottle service.

For other summer in the city ideas, check out our Top 10 Urban Hotel Pools.