Now, as a response to the increasingly popular trend of “glamping” (glamorous camping), the resort has teamed up with Arizona Outback Adventures to handcraft a program of one-of-a-kind outdoor activities. Some of the adventures on the menu include kayaking the Salt River; climbing Tom’s Thumb in the McDowell Mountains; and tackling a thrilling downhill mountain bike descent. Our favorite pick is the Grand Canyon Fly and Hike – you fly north from Phoenix to the South Rim, where you’ll go on a guided hike on the South Kaibab Trail known for its spectacular canyon descent, only to fly back to the resort as the day ends. There are even adventure options for the little ones, like the kid-oriented version of the adult kayak tour, which provides lots of paddling fun.

All of the adventure programs are paired with thoughtful Four Seasons touches such as chilled water upon departure; trail mix and other delicious snacks for the route; and specially prepared gourmet lunches to savor in the great outdoors. When you return to the resort at night, many perks await –a Healing Hiker massage in the Spa, lounging by the pool in a luxury cabana, or a slice of foodie bliss at the Talavera restaurant.

To make these adventures even sweeter, the resort’s Stay Longer package offers a complimentary third night with two paid consecutive nights. Spring rates start at $525 per night, which comes to a low $350 per night when the third free night is factored in. 

Find more hotel options in our Scottsdale Travel Guide.

Avatar Though Avatar’s Pandora is a fictitious world created largely from James Cameron’s imagination, there are those in Washington state who see striking similarities between the fantasy planet and the landscape of the Olympic Peninsula. With that in mind, Lake Quinault Lodge in Olympic National Park and Kalaloch Lodge on the Pacific coast have each put together Avatar-inspired packages to help you explore the scenery like a Na’vi.

Lake Quinault’s Pandora package (starting at $109 weekdays and $129 on weekends) includes  an overnight  and a tour for two through the Quinault Rainforest, where you’ll see trees  reminiscent  of those found on Pandora, including Douglas firs, red cedars, and Sitka spruces. Stay an extra night or two for just $50 extra per night. This package is available through May 1; use code LQPANDORA to book.

At Kalaloch, book the Oceanside Pandora package (from $169/night – a 30 percent savings) for a 1-night stay in a Bluff Cabin or Kalaloch Suite and breakfast for two . Though this package doesn’t include a tour like Lake Quinault’s, the lodge is also a good jumping off point for exploring the Pandora-like landscape of the Olympic Peninsula. The package is available through June 15; book using code KLPAND. (Bonus: Kalaloch also has a New Moon – Twilight package that includes a 1-night stay, Twilight Trivia, and an area map with locations found in the book; from $149/night.)

For both Avatar packages, visit the lodges’ websites (www.visitlakequinault or www.visitkalalach.com) or call 866-297-7367 to book. Blackout dates include all holidays.

Sex and the City 2 To celebrate the Sex and the City sequel (out May 28), Affinia hotels are giving fans a chance to channel their inner Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, or Charlotte all summer long at the chain’s five New York properties. With the Carrie On package, guests will enjoy a Sex and the City tour with On Location Tours, a split of Champagne, a stiletto shoe bag, and a SATC book with all the behind-the-scenes details of the film. They’ll also get a 20 percent online discount on the SATC line of lingerie at Cosabella.

Rates start at $219/night at the Affinia Manhattan in Midtown; $249/night at the Affinia 50 in Midtown and the Affinia Shelburne in Murray Hill; and $289/night at the Affinia Dumont in Midtown and the Affinia Gardens on the Upper East Side. The package is available from May 28 to September 6. To book, call 866-246-2203 or go to www.affinia.com/SATC and use code CARRIE.

Alice in Wonderland Travel down the rabbit hole (or at least across the pond) for a glimpse of the setting for parts of Tim Burton’s new Alice flick. The historic Antony House in Cornwall, England, will host Wonderland-themed events throughout the year, from a White Rabbit Easter Trail (April 2-9) to a Weird and Wonderful Tea Party (June 27) to croquet workshops and Caucus Races (select dates in July and August). You also just might run into the Cheshire Cat or the Caterpillar in the house’s gardens (see photo: NTPL/Cristian Barnett) any time you visit. Check out the calendar for more details, and don’t be late!

Just because the property is secluded doesn’t mean guests are completely cut off from the world. The cottages all have free Wi-Fi and a laser printer, with laptops available on request. There are also three flat-screen TVs, a Wii console, and free movies via Apple TV. In terms of creature comforts and basic needs, the staff appears to have thought of every last detail, down to sunscreen and bug spray. 

The unusually chilly weather meant it was a bit too cold for a dip in the pool during my visit, although the adjoining hot tub was a welcome retreat after an afternoon of snorkeling. Though just a few yards away, the beach is pretty rocky (and watch out for sea urchins) because it’s a protected turtle nesting site – but the hotel offers free shuttle service to nearby West Bay Public Beach, as well as other island attractions and restaurants.  You can also borrow a bike to explore the neighborhood. 

There is a tiny on-site spa hut, and treatments are a bit pricey ($120 for a body scrub, $175 for a massage). Cotton Tree can arrange all manner of other activities both at the property and around the island, from scuba diving to an on-site art class to a catered meal by the sea with an expert wine consultant (who helped the Ritz put together its wine lists). Owner Heather Lockington, a Cayman native, is also quick to recommend a restaurant or activity.

Overall, Cotton Tree is definitely at the luxury end of the spectrum, both in terms of price and in what you can expect from your stay. With a staff willing to cater to your every whim, I found it very difficult indeed to leave this oasis and return to real life. 

Through April 15, take advantage of the introductory winter rate of $665/night. 

For more on what to do while you’re there, check out our Grand Cayman Travel Guide.

The World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games takes place this June 11 through July 11 (91 days away and counting); it’s also the first time an African country will host the soccer tournament. The Radisson Blu Waterfront is situated only about a mile from Greenpoint Stadium, one of two semi-final venues. All rooms have a nautical theme and sea or Table Mountain views. There’s a small infinity-edge, ocean-side pool, and Tobago’s, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, has a great, big terrace which has made it a hotspot for locals and tourists alike.

Granted, rates during this period have gone through the roof. Nightly rates at the Radisson Blu go for, ahem, $835/night (up from the usual $350/night) but inflated prices span across South Africa. At least here you get stunning views and free Wi-Fi and Nespresso machines . . . if that helps you rationalize it. South African Airways also still has availability on its direct flights from New York and Washington D.C.

For more info, see our Cape Town travel guide.

SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury Positioned on Bermuda’s longest stretch of private, pink-sand beach, Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa opened in April 2009 as part of the island’s most exclusive residence club and its first luxury resort in 40 years. Each of its 88 rooms is decorated in classic British seaside style, cost over $100,000 to furnish, and claims complimentary WiFi, expansive balconies with harbor views, and free-standing tubs. The world-class spa features a 10,000-square-foot garden sanctuary, plus a hydrotherapy suite that boasts “the world’s most expensive shower” – a computer-controlled Silver TAG (found at only two other resorts in the world). Guests are given exclusive access to the members-only Tucker’s Point Golf, Beach, and Tennis Club, whose facilities include four Har-Tu clay tennis courts and an 18-hole championship golf course featuring state-of-the art putting greens, 10 newly constructed tees, and sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Value The $99 Golf Upgrade is per person per night in addition to standard room rates (which start at $420/night) and includes unlimited golf at the property’s private course and exclusive access to the neighboring Mid Ocean Club (built in 1921 and consistently ranked one of the best in the world, Winston Churchill and Babe Ruth have graced the latter’s fairways); unlimited use of driving range and practice facility; and complimentary locker, bag storage, and shoe service at the clubhouse. ShermansTravel.com readers who book the package will also receive his-and-her gifts made exclusively for Tucker’s Point guests: a complimentary bottle of Lily Bermuda perfume and Vineyard Vines tie adorned with the Tucker’s Point Club crest.

The Catch A minimum two night stay is required (subject to blackout dates). Tee times at the Mid Ocean Club are an extra charge.

The Details 866-604-3764 (mention ShermansTravel.com), www.tuckerspointhotelandspa.com

What do you think? Is it too much too soon? Or is the World Center Hotel just trying to make the best of its neighborhood and its upcoming revitalization?

The cozy cabin contained a living room with a wood-burning fireplace (there was spilt timber on the porch), and a reasonably sized bedroom. I found the mattress to be quite comfortable (with a headboard and bed frame made out of real wood, I thought I was going to be tossing and turning all night). In the living room was a small kitchenette, which – although convenient – had virtually no countertop space, so cooking meals could have been a challenge if I wasn’t dining at the lodge’s Grizzly Steakhouse.

Each time I ate at The Grizzly Steakhouse, I was, more or less, the only one in the restaurant. In the morning, the lodge served a traditional buffet-style breakfast with ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, homefries, fruit, and donuts. The food wasn’t anything to rave about, but the wait staff was very attentive and friendly. I only had dinner once at the steakhouse during my stay – the cheapest thing on the menu was just under 20 bucks. I ordered the Marinated Chicken Breast (which was a sizeable portion) with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

However, if you’re staying at the lodge for an extended length of time, and you have a kitchenette in your cabin/room, I highly recommend visiting the supermarket in Jackson Hole – it will definitely save you money. The only drawback? The grocery store is a good hour’s drive away, so you want to make sure you don’t forget any of the cooking essentials.

In addition to the lodge being eco-friendly (its water is supplied via a natural spring), the cabins/rooms are equipped with high-speed WiFi – and it’s free! This made it a cinch to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings while out of the office. Whereas staying in touch professionally proved to be easy, communicating with family and friends back home on my cell phone was tricky – I often lost service in my cabin.

As for amenities, Togwotee Mountain Lodge offers guests a Western-type bar called the Red Fox Saloon, laundry facilities, two hot tubs, as well as a lounge with a crackling fire and a few arcade games.

So, what else is there to do at Togwotee Mountain Lodge? Well, if you’re the outdoorsy type, I think a more appropriate question would be: What isn’t there to do? During the wintertime, the lodge offers exceptional and thrilling snowmobile tours of the picturesque Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Yellowstone National Park, to name a few. In addition, Togwotee offers guests dog-sled tours for those who want to take in the tranquility at a slower a pace.

Once the snow melts and rivers thaw, Togwotee Mountain Lodge and the surrounding area become a flurry of activity. Guests can explore the many trails that beckon them on foot, horseback, or mountain bikes. The lodge sponsors exhilarating whitewater rafting trips on the famed Snake River during the summer, and also offers guided and unguided fishing trips. Not enough to bait you to venture out West? Togwotee presents visitors with the opportunity to experience the Wild West on a covered wagon ride, complete with a succulent rib-eye steak dinner in an isolated aspen grove.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Togwotee – a fox even scurried past my cabin door the morning I was leaving, as if to give me a proper send-off. If you’re looking for sumptuous spas and a great deal of pampering during your visit to the peaceful American wilderness, then Togwotee Mountain Lodge would not be a good fit. But, if you want to surround yourself with nature and explore Wyoming’s incredible rugged backcountry, then Togwotee couldn’t be a more ideal place to stay.

The Deal Save 30 percent on a one-bedroom suite and nab free perks.

Stay The Reserve is a mini resort of 192 suites inside the Paradisus Punta Cana resort. Guests may access all of Paradisus, including the golf course, casino, spa, and restaurants.

Details A $1,825 package includes three nights in a one-bed-room Master Suite (regularly $630/night), one massage per person, all food, drinks, and activities (like wine tasting), plus taxes and gratuities.

Book It Call before March 31 and mention Sherman’s Travel; 809/221-1111, paradisus.com.

For more tips, check out our Dominican Republic Travel Guide.

From the February/March issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.

The Deal Shave more than 40 percent off all-inclusive rates.

Stay St. George’s Caye, a resort on a private island, offers 11 thatched-roof cabanas, just 20 minutes by boat from Belize City. Nearby, the famous Blue Hole allows for first-rate diving.

Details After factoring in a discount of $100 per night, a five-night stay in a Lagoon Cabana costs $729 a person. This includes meals, nonalcoholic drinks, a $100 resort credit, and airport transfers.

Book It Book online or by phone before March 31 using the code Sherman’s; 800/813-8498, gooddiving.com.

Plan your trip with our Belize Travel Guide.

From the February/March issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.

Fast-forward to the new year. In December, Mexico City became the first city in Latin America to legalize gay marriage and same-sex couple adoption. Also, it’s among seven cities worldwide selected by FIFA to broadcast all the 2010 World Cup games live on giant, public screens. Add to that the city’s humming design scene, its affordability, and legions of innovative restaurants, and the only question left is where to bed down.

After a few delays, Las Alcobas opened January 18 in the city’s affluent Polanco district. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, whose clients include Four Seasons and St. Regis, the hotel is both modern and homey. Its 35 rooms are softened with hand-knotted rugs and contemporary Mexican art. At the top end are three penthouse suites with wraparound terraces. A small spa grants relief from the urban bustle. Near the hotel, guests can shop Avenida Presidente Masaryk, visit the modern art museum, and dine at the city’s top tables, all without hailing a cab (the traffic has yet to improve). From $415/night; lasalcobas.com

Find more exciting hotels in our Mexico City Travel Guide.

From the February/March 2010 issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.