Hailing from cities as far apart as Napa and Palm Beach, the seven properties that comprise Kindred Hotels and Resorts have little in common other than their status as independently-owned luxury lodgings with long histories and reputations for excellence. But, a new collaboration will bring them closer together – at least on the Web. These properties have partnered up for PR purposes with a new website, staykindred.com, promising to use the portal to roll out deals and highlight what’s new. In one convenient location, the Kindred website presents a brief background of each property while promoting the latest offers with a quick link for booking and a link to the hotels’ individual websites for additional property details. The participating hotels include The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida; The Carneros Inn in Napa, California; Colonial Williamsburg Resort Collection in Williamsburg, Virginia; Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan; The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California; Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida; and Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Florida.

Interested in hotels with a backstory? Check out our Top 10 Historic Hotels.

Few places in the world compare to Bora Bora – a quintessential tropical isle in French Polynesia showcasing white-sand beaches, flower-scented breezes, and idyllic coves. Since getting to paradise can be a lengthy affair (it’s eight hours by plane from Los Angeles to Tahiti, plus another hour to connect), why not treat yourself to an once-in-a-lifetime experience once you land? The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa just unveiled brand-new over-the-water presidential villas that necessitate a splurge, if you’ve got the pocket change to spare. Read the rest of this post »

Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the most fabulous displays of private real-estate wealth in the country, but its reputation has been primarily defined, until recently, by tides of spring breakers – a playground for the riff raff, rather than the rich. That’s all changed over the last few years, as millions of dollars in development projects have poured in, quickly washing away the popular port city’s party past and elevating it to tony status as the Gold Coast’s newest “it” town. Luxury hotels bearing prestigious names like Ritz, Hilton, and Trump are sprouting up all over – with dozens of newbies opening (such as the first beachfront W in late April) and old favorites, like the landmark Yankee Clipper (known for its live mermaid shows), getting extensive facelifts. Last weekend, I checked into the Westin Beach Resort to check out the hotel’s recent multi-million dollar rebirth. 

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The Deal Save 30 percent off standard room rates and spa services, with a free upgrade.

Stay Choose either the Tides Riviera Maya, made up of 30 private villas (each with a plunge pool) on six idyllic acres of jungle and white-sand beach, or Tides Zihuatanejo, a laid-back resort with adobe-style villas and a clutch location on one of Mexico’s best beaches.

Details The Sol Y Mar promotion includes 30 percent off going rates and spa services. Plus, Sherman’s Travel readers secure a free upgrade to the next category of villa. Discounted rates start at $410/night at Tides Riviera Maya and $249/night at Tides Zihuatanejo with breakfast. This special is offered October 1 to December 18.

Book It 866/332-1672 for Tides Riviera Maya; 866/905-9560 for Tides Zihuatanejo (online code SHER or mention Sherman’s Travel Sol y Mar Exclusive); thetidesresorts.com.

From the Summer 2009 issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine

When I spent the weekend in Atlantic City last summer, I arrived with a few fairly depressing expectations. I was prepared to hold my breath on the casino floors while overweight seniors in their motorized chairs whizzed by, engulfed in a cloud of smoke. I expected cheesy dance clubs with the usual bachelorette party, Jersey meathead mobs. But, I did not expect the slick scene and cool crowd that I found at The Chelsea Hotel (a chic, beachfront boutique, the first non-gaming hotel in AC since the 60s, which opened last summer). A mix of hipsters, models, and musicians occupied the modern, glitzy spaces, and rooms were retro-glam, many with ocean views (for less expensive digs, the hotel’s motel-style Annex wing also offers simple rooms with balconies). I was so surprised by the seemingly New York crowd, that I asked the front desk if there was some kind of event being held at the hotel. As it turns out, the same minds behind New York’s trendy Beatrice and Smith & Mills formulated the tasty drink menu at the Fifth Floor venues (read on for more on that), and the same peeps that frequent those Manhattan joints are migrating south to this bona fide Jersey hotspot.   Read the rest of this post »

Sometimes, too much hype can lead to a major letdown. A letdown is what I expected when I finally visited the much lauded Cap Juluca after years of reading glowing reviews and seeing it top award lists the world over. But, while on the boat ride over to Anguilla from St. Maarten (on Cap Juluca’s private speed boat), sipping champagne and chatting with another couple who gushed about their decade-long love affair with the place, I started to get the feeling that my skepticism may be proved wrong – and, wrong I was. The Cap Juluca didn’t disappoint. The 21-year-old resort is currently in the midst of 80-million-dollar renovations which have already transformed the main house and lobby, and, by year’s end, will overhaul all 18 villas (which, currently, aren’t shabby but lack the sophisticated Moroccan elegance seen in the renovated main house). All enhancements, including a new oceanfront infinity pool and spa, will stay true to the timeless architecture – white-washed Moorish domes, turrets, and all – that has made the resort so famous; original architect, Oscar Farmer has even come out of retirement to help with the project. Read the rest of this post »

The Luxury: Los Cabos has morphed from spring-break central to luxury beach-resort town in recent years, with plenty of big-name hotels emerging to entice well-heeled travelers. We like the small-scale Casa del Mar, an intimate 31-room, hacienda-style resort neighboring the award-winning Cabo Real Golf Course. Each room consists of a junior suite with oceanview balcony, a 42-inch plasma TV, and 450-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens to ensure a plush stay. The resort also has a superb on-site spa with beachfront palapa-roofed rooms and enticing signature treatments. The Value: For the best rates of the spring season book a room before March 30. Rates climb in April and don’t go down until the end of the month. Read the rest of this post »

What would a Gansevoort be without a sexy pool? The new Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, set to open in late March, is no exception. The Grace Bay Beach newbie will show off a 7,000-square-foot infinity pool with “lounging islands” that will look as if they float on the water’s surface, and can be used as sun beds by day and intimate dining areas come night. Other highlights will include two Bagatelle outposts of New York restaurant fame and a beachfront Exhale Spa.

Also, check out the recently opened Gansevoort South Beach with a stunning rooftop pool and bar called Plunge, and full-scale nightclub, Louis, the latest in a family that includes hotspots Prive and Mansion.

I confess. My subconscious neglect to pack my kicks for a beach vacation isn’t so subconscious. I hate working out. I just joined a fancy, over-priced gym and I can barely drag myself there twice a week, so why the heck would I want to torture myself on my much-needed time away? Well, thanks to our fitness-obsessed culture, the get-slim-quick trend has eclipsed the travel sector and programs like Bikini Boot Camp or health ranches and fitness spas are, in fact, quite popular (and fun?). And, while lazing about on the beach with a steady flow of cocktails is more my idea of a vacation, I recently decided to try a fitness program in Antigua: Vitality Week at Carlisle Bay. Read the rest of this post »