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While Paris doesn’t have the upcoming Olympics to hurry hotel openings along (though we’re expecting many Olympics-attendees to tack on a few nights in the City of Lights to their London trip), the city is welcoming a handful of exciting newcomers at a respectable clip. And, boy, are they swanky.

Mandarin Oriental The luxury brand opened its much-anticipated Parisian outpost in the First Arrondissement (a stone’s throw from the Louvre and the Garnier Opera) in June 2011. Two restaurants are helmed by Michelin-starred chef Theirry Marx. Rooms range in style and color schemes, but are all tres chic and come with humungous bathrooms. Rates from €795/night. www.mandarinoriental.com

Shangri-La Paris Originally built for Napolean’s grandnephew, Roland Bonaparte, in 1896, the hotel retains its mansion-like feel with all 61 rooms feeling more like Parisian pieds-à-terre. Many come with views of the Eiffel Tower. Rates start from €810/night. www.shangri-la.com

Saint James Paris The newly renovated chateau in the 16th Arrondissement (the only chateau in the city, for that matter) comes with 48 snazzy rooms reimagined by Philippe Starck and a new spa. Rates start from $436/night. www.saint-james-paris.com

The W Paris Opera The city’s first W will open on Valentine’s Day in the 2nd Arrondissement. 91 rooms will feature open bathrooms (with some cool LED lighting along the walls), high ceilings, and fun design details like mirrored headboards and funky chandeliers. Rates start from $537/night. www.wparisopera.com

For general trip-planning info, see our Paris Travel Guide.

The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston is set to turn 100 years old in August, but the celebrations are already starting – $20 million of renovations are underway, and the hotel is also offering themed packages to guests. The hotel’s head-to-toe improvements, set to be completed in the spring, include a revamp of all guestrooms and suites, including the Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge; updates to the grand lobby and ballrooms; an entirely new health club on the rooftop; and the addition of a new restaurant in the space formerly occupied by the Oak Room. (The Oak Room and Oak Bar have been relocated to the St. James room.)

The two themed packages on offer are both available now. If you’re particularly interested in the hotel’s 100 year history, consider the “Celebration of a Century” package, which starts at $200/night for a Fairmont Room. Included in the package is one night in a newly renovated room, a private history tour of the hotel, and a history booklet. The package is offered through December 31, 2012.

If you’ve honeymooned at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, however, check out the “Anniversary Package,” available through December 30, 2012. You can stay at the hotel for one night for the same price that you paid during your honeymoon, provided you still have the folio. That means that if you stayed at the Copley Plaza in 1947, you would pay only $7 for your first night. (Note: Two nights minimum are required, and all nights after the first are offered at the best available rate.) Your stay will also include a history booklet so you can celebrate the hotel’s anniversary along with your own.

Previous visitors should also keep an eye out for any Copley Plaza memorabilia – the hotel has put out a search for items to include in a display for the historic tours. www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza

Be sure to check out our Boston travel guide, and then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to plan your trip.

The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston is set to turn 100 years old in August, but the celebrations are already starting – $20 million of renovations are underway, and the hotel is also offering themed packages to guests. The hotel’s head-to-toe improvements, set to be completed in the spring, include a revamp of all guestrooms and suites, including the Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge; updates to the grand lobby and ballrooms; an entirely new health club on the rooftop; and the addition of a new restaurant in the space formerly occupied by the Oak Room. (The Oak Room and Oak Bar have been relocated to the St. James room.)

The two themed packages on offer are both available now. If you’re particularly interested in the hotel’s 100 year history, consider the “Celebration of a Century” package, which starts at $200/night for a Fairmont Room. Included in the package is one night in a newly renovated room, a private history tour of the hotel, and a history booklet. The package is offered through December 31, 2012.

If you’ve honeymooned at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, however, check out the “Anniversary Package,” available through December 30, 2012. You can stay at the hotel for one night for the same price that you paid during your honeymoon, provided you still have the folio. That means that if you stayed at the Copley Plaza in 1947, you would pay only $7 for your first night. (Note: Two nights minimum are required, and all nights after the first are offered at the best available rate.) Your stay will also include a history booklet so you can celebrate the hotel’s anniversary along with your own.

Previous visitors should also keep an eye out for any Copley Plaza memorabilia – the hotel has put out a search for items to include in a display for the historic tours. www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza

Be sure to check out our Boston travel guide, and then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to plan your trip.

When traveling leaves you fatigued, don’t let your face give it away. Perhaps easier said than done, but a few products out there can help mask the culprits of long days of sightseeing and fun-filled nights on the town (namely dark under-eye circles, grime, dead skin, and large pores). Read on for a selection of four products that I don’t leave home without, thanks to their ability to transform tired-looking skin. The best part is that they can all be easily packed and stowed away in a carry-on bag.

Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System, $195 This handheld electronic device (pictured above) is brought to you by the makers of the Sonicare toothbrush and uses a circular brush with fast, vibrating movements to remove much more makeup and dirt than manual cleansing. Your face feels soft, fresh, and clean when used before bed, deeming morning cleansings practically unnecessary.

Seaflora Potent Seaweed Serum, $56 This serum packs in an amazing array of nutrients to rejuvenate your skin: wild organic seaweed, witch hazel, aloe vera leaf juice, rosehip seed oil, emulsifying wax, vitamins E and C, and cranberry, blueberry and raspberry extracts. It’s like rubbing a smoothie into your cheeks! Use the Certified Organic Iridaea seaweed to firm, tone, and boost skin with antioxidants; the rosehip oil to reduce inflammation and irritation; and the Certified Organic Ulva Lactuca seaweed to refine pores.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, $42.50 This eye cream works best when used consistently, so don’t expect instant results. But the Plantscription Anti-aging Eye Treatment is formulated with Anogeissus Tree Bark and Kombucha (fermented Black Tea), which offer strong collagen-boosting benefits and ultimately help restore elasticity under the eyes. Dab around the eye area with a fingertip in the AM and PM, and in between, you can also use it to reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

Eyedews Under Eye Gel Pads, $25 for six pairs This is steps above your average last-ditch cucumber-slice remedy. “Eyedews” are jelly pads made of natural marine collagen infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Chitosan, and vitamins C & E, and are meant to combat imbalances, sun damage, discoloration, and dry skin. I used them after a night out to brighten my eyes and give them a cool boost to great results. Tip: The experience is best enhanced when used lying down and resting in a quiet place.

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

Marriott International announced today that it will open five new hotels for Edition – the company’s boutique, luxury lifestyle brand – on three continents. Plans are underway for Editions in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok, while contracts have been signed for additional hotels in Los Angeles and Gurgaon, India. Marriott Edition enlisted the help of Ian Schrager, hotelier and real estate developer, to pioneer the creative design and positioning of the hotels. Schrager is well known for Studio 54 and the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, among others.

Manhattan’s Clock Tower building, on Madison Avenue, will be home to the New York Edition; the renovation and transformation of the historic building are set to begin in late 2012. The Bangkok Edition will be in one of the tallest buildings in the city, and will be part of a mixed-use development.

This announcement comes after the growth of Marriott Edition was stalled as a result of the economic downturn. Marriott plans to have six Editions operating by 2015: In addition to the already open hotel in Istanbul, hotels are in the works in London, Miami Beach, Mexico City, and Barcelona.

The original Edition, in Waikiki, became embroiled in controversy just under a year after it opened in October 2010 when the hotel’s operators, Aqua Hotels and Resorts, suddenly cut ties with Marriott after claiming the chain hadn’t done enough to support the fledgling property. Marriott promptly sued Aqua. The hotel’s management company later filed for bankruptcy. The property now operates under the name The Modern Honolulu.

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

Valentine’s Day is a popular time for hotels to offer packages with champagne and romance concierges (you know, to help your hopeless partner plan a romantic evening out), but it’s not as easy to find packages that include spa treatments and massages. Luckily, we’ve done the searching for you, and we’ve found some great budget options as well as some luxurious extravagances. For both a romantic and relaxing February 14 (or thereabouts), try out these hotels and spas, from East Coast to West.

The Budget Picks:

The Westin Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL Sunsets on the beach are already dreamy, but the Westin Beach Resort & Spa is taking the swoon factor a few steps further with its “Rekindle Romance” package. It starts at only $319/night and is available for stays from February 10-15. What do you get? The package includes breakfast in bed, a visit to Shula’s on the Beach (for dinner, the Chef’s Tasting Menu, and wine!), champagne and strawberry turndown, and the Heavenly Healing couple’s spa treatment at the Heavenly Spa.

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, NM Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa draws water from the surrounding mineral springs, with a focus on sustainability and the restorative powers of its pools and springs – a definite great pick for relaxation. To add in some romance, the resort is offering two great packages. The Valentine-themed “Month of Love” package starts at $309/night and is available from February 1-29. The offer is for one night of lodging, two 50-minute custom Essence of Ojo massages, 50 minutes in one of the outdoor private pools, and a bottle of wine (or sparkling cider) with chocolate truffles.

You could also go for the “Romance Retreat,” a two-night package that starts at $609 (or about $305/night), which is available for stays through February 29. This offer includes suite accommodations, two 50-minute custom Essence of Ojo massages, two passes for a yoga class (of your choice) each day – that’s two classes per guest – 50 minutes in one of the outdoor private pools, unlimited access to all the mineral pools, steam and sauna, and a bottle of wine (or sparkling cider) with chocolate truffles.

The Splurges:

Hotel Gansevoort and Gansevoort Park, New York, NY If you’re just looking to have some single’s fun on Valentine’s Day, the two New York City Gansevoort properties have just the deal for you. The “Single + Mingle” package starts at $585/night and is available for stays from February 1-29. This somewhat tongue-in-cheek offer includes continental breakfast for two at Tanuki Tavern or Asellina, two drinks on the Rooftop (with VIP reserved seating), and (for the next morning, when you might just need it) G-branded sunglasses, a free Bloody Mary, and a “Recovery” exhale deep tissue massage (for one). At the Meatpacking District location, you’ll also get a Bond #9 discount card and a sample gift scent.

Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, Seattle, WA The Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle has partnered up with Evergreen Escapes to provide outdoor fun and relaxation. The “Melt Away in Romance” package, available for stays now through March 31, starts at $698/night. For that chunk of change, you can get overnight accommodations, a full day ActiVino Snowshoe Excursion (a chauffeured ride to a private snowshoe tour and a decadent lunch and wine at Covington Cellars), then two 30-minute Soul Revival Reflexology Massages at Vida Spa, a floating orchid bubble bath, and house-made Seastar chocolate truffles. What could be better?

Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa, Moab, UT If you’re looking to have an epically romantic (and expensive) Valentine’s Day celebration, consider the “Over the Top Valentine’s Day Package” from Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa. At a hefty $6,350 (about $2,117/night), this 3-night, 4-day package includes just about everything you’ll need to secure your sweetheart’s undying affection. Your three nights are in a Spa Suite that has a river view and comes with Sorrel River robes for the two of you, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, a rose petal welcome, and a dozen roses besides. During the day, take advantage of the private chauffeured SUV and tour Moab, or perhaps enjoy the private airplane tour over the Canyonlands or Arches National Parks. At night, you can enjoy a Hummer sunset excursion. Somewhere in there, make time to use your $500 resort credit for dining and activities, although you do have a Chef’s Table for Two dinner with wine pairings already included, along with breakfast for two daily. But of course, that isn’t everything. There’s also the couple’s massage at The Spa.

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

If enjoying a glass of Merlot after a long massage or deep, pore cleansing facial sounds like a great way to end a day, try combining the two. View of a vineyard nearby? Icing on the cake.

According to wellness magazine Healing Lifestyles & Spas, vinotherapy is quickly becoming one of the most popular spa categories in the United States. That’s because wine grapes are rich in antioxidants, stimulate circulation and also help heal damaged skin when applied topically.

While the concept originated in France and is especially popular in European spas, there are several great spas in the U.S. that specialize in wine-based treatments. You can take a bath in wine, exfoliate with wine, and even moisturize with wine! Some are located on properties with vineyards, while others are not. Some are day spas and some are destination spas (meaning you can sleep on the property, too). We always like a reason to travel, so here are four destination spas for oenophiles worth checking out:

The Lodge and Spa at CordeValle, San Martin, CA Nestled just south of San Jose, this spa (pictured above) incorporates grape seeds into several treatments, including its signature Grape Seed and Cherry Bark Scrub followed by a grape seed vanilla body butter massage to exfoliate and nourish the skin (1.5 hours, $220). The spa is also near vineyards for ample inspiration and apres-spa tastings.

The Kenwood Inn & Spa, Kenwood, CA The Kenwood claims to be the first vinotherapy spa in the country. Set in Sonoma County’s Valley of the Moon, there couldn’t be a more ideal location. There’s even a wine bar! Many of the spa’s treatments consist of oils extracted from grape seeds, red wine extracts, and other varietal oils. For example, a 20-minute aromatic wine bath overlooking the vineyards is $55. A 50-minute Harvest Sugar Scrub, which includes the use of milled grape seeds, Chardonnay oil, Riesling oil, and red wine extract, is $135.

Caudalie Spa the Plaza New York, New York, NY Caudalie, a small spa at the Bordeaux winery Chateau Smith Haute Lafite, is said to be the first to have experimented with vinotherapy, and now, it distributes an extensive skincare line. This spa offers a Vinothérapie Spa signature barrel bath ($75), two Hammams, and a wine lounge. Spa treatments include Honey and Wine Wrap ($95) and Crushed Cabernet Scrub ($145) using Caudalie products.

The Allison Inn and Spa, Newberg, OR This inn in Willamette Valley, Oregon’s wine region, offers several wine-based treatments, including the Divine Wine Facial (60 minutes for $115), Grape Seed Scrub and Organic Honey Wine Wrap (90 minutes, $170). The inn is 45 miles to downtown Portland and two hours from the coast.

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

The perfect location (on one of the island’s prettiest beaches), villa-style accommodations, and fantastic French-Caribbean fare make La Samanna St. Martin’s leading luxury hotel. White-washed Mediterranean villas perched above Baie Longue feature 83 newly renovated rooms and suites (since November 2011), complete with white travertine floors, marble bathrooms, shabby-chic furnishings, and oceanview balconies or terraces. The best suites come with their own private plunge pool or terrace with jacuzzi. A clubby colonial bar, impressive wine cellar, pool deck, and small spa round out the offerings. If you still need selling, a meal at Le Reserve is bound to dazzle. Alfresco seating on the oceanfront deck, bites of lobster ravioli, and a bottle of crisp Sancerre easily won me over. Rates are steep, starting at $845/night, but the resort’s More Paradise offer includes breakfast and $100 resort credit daily in peak winter season.  www.lasamanna.com

For general trip-planning info, see our St. Martin Travel Guide.

You’re headed overseas, but not before getting through that dreaded 5-hour layover. There you are, stuck in the terminal, with nowhere to go, nothing to do. And, boy, you could really use a massage. Happily, it’s hardly a far-fetched idea these days. Over the past few years, spas have been popping up in airports worldwide, capitalizing on weary travelers’ need for TLC and on-the-go treatments. Airport spa treatments typically range from 15 to 90 minutes and offer just the relaxation you need to get you through the next leg of your journey.

Some airport spas require appointments, while others don’t. If you know you’ll be in a particular airport, check it out beforehand. Here, we’ve rounded up a list of where you can find a few of the best spas in airports around the globe:

Xpress Spa in the JFK, SFO, LGA, RDU, LAS, MCO, PIT, PHL, ATL, DFW, BOS, MSP, STL, IAH & AMS airports: Full body, hand and arm, foot, and stress eliminator massages are available in 15 to 90 minute increments; facials and waxing are also available.

Virgin Cowshed in Heathrow (Terminal 2) and Gatwick (in the upper level departure lounge) airports: Complimentary fringe trims, buzz cuts, facial grooming, cleanse and trims, shaves, maintenance manicures, and shoulder/back massages are available for first and business class customers. Other services include waxes, makeup application, and Thai foot massages.

D_parture Spa at Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminal C, Gate 92): This full-service spa offers mini- and altitude-protection facials, massages, haircuts, pedicures, and waxing services. The prices are competitive – a 60-minute, deep-cleansing facial costs $65. The spa uses products that are free of sulfates, parabens, toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, and chemical preservatives, all of which have not been tested on animals.

Absolute Spa at Fairmont Vancouver Airport: This luxe spa situated in the connecting hotel features five private treatment rooms, a group mani/pedi area, and one couple’s suite. Spa guests also have access to the airport health club, which includes a lap pool, fitness equipment, and saunas.

OraOxygen Spa at Detroit Wayne County International Airport (Edward MacNamara Terminal) and Calgary International Airport (departure level behind Air Canada ):Using great skin care lines like Eminence Organics, Yonka, and Dermalogica, OraOxygen promotes holistic wellness with treatments like manicures, pedicures, facials, waxes, and body exfoliation.

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

Good news for fans of Ian Schrager hotels who can’t afford the typical Ian Schrager hotels. The new PUBLIC Chicago – and the modernized Pump Room restaurant – opened in September along Chicago’s Gold Coast as the first in Schrager’s PUBLIC brand, which rejects the opulent design concepts and hefty room rates he espoused over twenty years ago as founder of Morgans Hotel Group, which includes The Royalton in New York and The Sanderson in London, among others. Schrager’s launch of the new PUBLIC brand brings with it a more toned-down approach as well as affordable rates (PUBLIC offers a $135 a night promotional rate for a standard queen room for available through mid-March 2012) which he hopes will draw consumers to this and other planned PUBLIC hotels in New York and elsewhere. In launching the PUBLIC brand, Schrager says he aims to once again revolutionize the hotel industry, which has lost touch with what consumers want in place of posturing and overly-posh amenities.

The 285-room PUBLIC Chicago is minimalist yet comfortable, with communal work tables in the lobby and library featuring iMacs, use of which is free, and a 24-hour fitness center. There are armchairs draped in sheepskins positioned by a roaring fire and a massive selection of coffee table books for people to peruse as they nurse their drinks. And then, of course, there is the historic Pump Room restaurant that once drew the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Marylyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra (Sinatra’s private booth remains, for old time’s sake). The Pump Room’s kitchen is now overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, winner of a 2011 James Beard Award, who has created an affordable menu with refreshing, organic takes on classic comfort food. Come evening, the restaurant bar becomes a trendy nightspot which, judging from a recent visit, already has become a favorite with locals.

In keeping with the focus on service and functionality, Schrager has also launched a new take on room service, Public Express. The service charges no delivery fee and includes selections such as steel-cut organic oatmeal for breakfast and grilled Scottish salmon salad for lunch, delivered to your room within ten minutes in a brown bag hung on the door knob outside and a quick knock. During my stay, breakfast arrived in just under six minutes. Bravo!

One caveat for would-be visitors: The Schrager name and Pump Room history have combined to make this one of the hottest spots in Chicago, so if you crave a quiet evening without a lot of crowds and hub-bub, this hotel is not be the place for you (at least not until the opening frenzy subsides). www.publichotels.com

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

Not sure what to do with that $100 Sears gift card you got for the holidays? Now through February 29, you can pay for a Caribbean vacation at Elite Island Resorts with your unused gift cards. Walmart, Home Depot, Amex – whatever you’ve got, Elite will take it, up to 25 percent of the cost of your stay.

On top of that, Elite will donate the gift cards to children’s charities including Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Make a Wish Foundation, among others.

Elite has 13 properties across the Caribbean on Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Tortola. The hotels tend towards the luxury end of the spectrum, but you can find rates under $150 per person, per night in January and February.

Gift cards can be used towards the discounted and package rates available on Elite’s website, but you will have to call 800-858-4618 to make your reservation and alert the resort you plan to pay that way. Once the booking is confirmed, you’ll mail the gift cards to Elite.

Sounds like the perfect way to get the gift you really wanted! www.eliteislandresorts.com

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

Aspiring art thieves, I’ve got good news for you – you can legally hone your thievery skills in Melbourne, Australia, at least until January 15. Melbourne’s Art Series Hotels (the Cullen, the Olsen, and the Blackman, each of which are designed around the work of iconic Australian artists) are about midway through a contest that encourages you to steal the art right off the walls. Well, some of the art, anyway. The hotels are (rather fittingly) currently offering up “Pulp Fiction” by renowned England-based graffiti artist Banksy, if you can steal it.

The artwork can only be stolen by a pre-paid guest of one of the hotels staying any time through January 15th, and only the Banksy piece is up for theft. The full terms and conditions can be found here, but notable rules include: “Be cool. Art thieves are always cool,” “Look the part- we prefer it if you are wearing black tie or a really stunning frock,” and “Banksy we really don’t want you to steal it. It would just be too twisted so please don’t.”

The first piece up for theft, (“No Ball Games,” also a Banksy), was stolen on Monday, December 19, by Maura Tuohy, who rather cleverly posed as a PR representative of the Art Series Hotels and told the staff of the Blackman Hotel that she was there to move the painting to one of the other hotels. The staff, of course, was suspicious, but since Maura provided the number of another PR agent (who was actually her accomplice, Megan Aney), to verify her story, Maura was escorted to her vehicle with the piece. She returned fifteen minutes later to announce her victory.

So if you find yourself in Melbourne in the next few weeks, go stay at an Art Series Hotel (www.artserieshotels.com.au) and steal a Banksy! Even if you get caught, it’s still a great story, right?

Be sure to check out our Melbourne travel guide, and then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to plan your trip.

Los Angeles offers more than glitz, glamour, and celebrity spotting. With its 75-mile-long coastline, temperate climes, and scenic canyons, spa-goers can also experience top-notch spa pampering with a view, with price tags ranging from the affordable to the astronomical.

Read on for our three top picks:

Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach and Marina Hotel Body ETC European Day Spa within the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach and Marina Hotel is an  intimate eight-treatment room facility featuring a couples’ suite, locker room, and dry sauna. Its location on the hotel’s second floor is adjacent to the pool deck and Jacuzzi where the views span the marina and the Pacific Ocean. Redondo Beach is only 8 miles from LAX and is known for its popular pier and numerous activities, which include kayaking, scuba diving, surfing, biking, fishing, and whale watching. The spa package starts at $238/night and includes ocean-view accommodations, two desserts, 2-for-1 breakfast, and a European facial plus a body massage (or, a couples’ massage for two). www.cpredondobeachhotel.com

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel Active types can walk, bike, or Rollerblade on the beachfront Strand and flock to the fitness facility at the recently renovated Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The Ocean Spa is staffed with specialists including exercise physiologists, personal trainers, and lifestyle coaches. Through windows in the soaring atrium and from the pool deck, there are spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the famed Santa Monica Pier.  An overnight spa package (from $329) offers both a $75 spa credit and a late (6pm) checkout. Mention ShermansTravel.com to receive a Signature Ocean Facial for $99 for 50 minutes (normally from $125). www.santamonicaloewshotel.com

Hotel Bel-Air Set just a mile north of Sunset Boulevard on winding, estate-sided Stone Canyon Road, the sprawling Hotel Bel-Air sits amidst a serene, 12-acre, flower-filled, and canyon-backed oasis. After a two-year closure to refurbish the 65-year old 103-room hideaway, the hotel reopened and launched The Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie in October 2011. This newly constructed building mimics the Spanish Colonial architecture; inside, there’s a state-of-the-art fitness center and the seven treatment room spa. The Enclave, its most extraordinary retreat, has a private patio and can service seven spa guests at once. The appetizer into this sublime Pink Palace is the Perfect Manicure ($60, 30 minutes); the indulgence is the 3-night Suite Experience package: B & B rates start from $1,100/night and include a $200 dining credit, $100 spa credit, and two La Prairie gifts. www.hotelbelair.com

View our Los Angeles Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, vacation packages and more travel deals.

2011 has been a big year for hotels—we’ve scooped dozens of exciting hotel openings across the globe. On the flip side, we must bid farewell to a few monumental hotels that have closed. Here are a few of the goners we’ll miss most. A moment of silence, if you will.

Sahara Las Vegas (closed May 16) One of Sin City’s last Rat Pack-era hotels has closed for good. The landmark casino-hotel held court on the northern Strip for 59 years. Scads of musical legends had graced its ballroom stage (Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli, to name a few).

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya (closed June 6) We know Mexico tourism has taken a beating these last few years, but is the Mandarin’s closing an upshot? The luxury beach resort had been enduring increasingly low occupancy rates. Perhaps there’s hope—the property’s website indicates that the hotel will re-open in due course. We shall see.

The Chelsea Hotel (closed in August) The historic artist enclave was sold to developer Joseph Chetrit and closed in August, save for its 100 permanent residences. Future plans are vague but Chetrit intends to keep the Chelsea a hotel. Phew! We can only hope that the history-packed rooms retain their legendary rocker grit post renovations.

The Plaza’s Oak Room (closed in May) The celebrity-loved Oak Room will no longer host its famously outrageous afternoon parties, thanks to a rent dispute between restaurant operators and hotel owners. No word yet of what will become of the historic space.

Ritz Paris (temporarily closing in summer for renovations) The oh-so-fancy Parisian landmark is, in truth, not so ritzy at the moment. The old gal is looking a little tired and will close for two years this summer for an extensive refresh.

When you book a trip to the recently opened Paradisus Resort in Playa del Carmen, be sure to visit the YHI Spa and Health Club, a 20,000-square-foot luxury oasis. The spa boasts  14 massage cabins, two outside cabins, and a Whirlpool bath for water treatments.

As you enter the YHI Spa, you are greeted by a warm staff of spa professionals and personal trainers. Enjoy a luxurious treatment, then relax in the complimentary Whirlpools, dry and wet saunas, and steam rooms. You can also purchase massage oils, makeup, incense, and other essentials at the Spa Boutique.

The YHI Spa offers both couple and individual massages and personal outdoor showers. My favorite features at YHI were the array of burning incense that created a different ambiance in every room. The spa also offers a great full-service salon for hair, makeup, manicures, and pedicures, which is perfect for guests who are getting married at the resort or simply want to look special for an evening out.

For general trip-planning information, see our Playa del Carmen Travel Guide.

Traveling can be both a blessing and a curse. Sure, seeing new places and experiencing new things can invigorate your soul, bring out your adventurous spirit, and nourish your wanderlust. But tight schedules and discomfort traveling on planes, trains, and buses can also drain your energy and knock the wind right out of you.

Luckily, there are a few affordable and all-natural solutions for days when travel’s tribulations get the best of you: Bring the spa with you! Keep these TSA-friendly essential oil combos on hand for on-the-spot aromatherapy treatments that will calm your nerves on-the-go.

Lavender: Lavender promotes peace and quiet, so I take along a homemade linen spray for when I have trouble sleeping in a new bed. The scent is soothing, normalizing, and balancing, and can help alleviate headaches. Fill a 2-ounce plastic spray container three-quarters with distilled or filtered water and one quarter plain vodka (this keeps the water and oil from separating). Add four drops of lavender essential oil. Shake before each use. Lightly spray the mixture on your pillows and sheets before crawling into bed.

Tea Tree: While many essential oils are too strong to be used without dilution, tea tree is great when applied topically to normal skin solo (if your skin is sensitive, test by mixing with a little olive oil first). Keep the oil in its original amber glass container (they usually come in two ounces or less), and use its purifying qualities for zapping a surprise zit or soothing a rash or cut. Tea tree oil, which is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Australia, smells refreshing and woodsy. Dilute 4 to 6 drops with two ounces distilled water in a travel spray container (add lavender if you’d like) for a natural toner.

Lemon: Lemon essential oil not only smells fresh and energizing, but contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that enhance the immune system, stimulate memory, and clear your head. Keep lemon essential oil in its original container to steal a few whiffs during a long day or to put a few drops into water or tea.

Peppermint: This essential oil aids in digestion if you eat something on the road that doesn’t agree with you, or if you want to keep your meals light. Keep a container with you and dilute one drop in every four ounces of liquid (hot chocolate, coffee, water, milk – yum!). This can also help relieve travel sickness. Rub a drop into your facial moisturizer for a tingly, astringent boost, or rub a drop on the temples and over the sinuses to relieve pressure.

Essential oils can be purchased at most natural foods stores and online at retailers such as MountainRoseHerbs.com and Amazon.com.

Tired of reading about the typical all-inclusive Mexico resort? Take a second look at the Paradisus Playa del Carmen, one of the finest all-inclusive properties in the country with a unique concept. This brand new resort is really two resorts in one – a family resort, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralada, and one for adults only, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, with communal restaurants located in between the two.

Just minutes from the Cancun International Airport, the Paradisus is a hidden gem situated on the Caribbean with views of the island of Cozumel in the distance.  The resort boasts 14 restaurants, 10 bars, complimentary life-enriching classes (including sessions on Mexican wines and tequilas), and a 20,000-square-foot spa and health club.

A perfect spot for honeymooners, couples, or adult groups looking to get away, the Paradisus La Perla is the brand’s first adults-only resort.  It features 394 modern luxury suites appointed with upscale amenities and oversized bathrooms with rain showers.

For an even more upscale experience, the adult-only section’s Royal Service offers private check-in, a private pool, and your own personal butler. Guests will stay in one of the 60 swim-up suites that allow direct access to the free form pool directly from their terraces – my personal favorite feature.

On the opposite side of the resort is the family section, Paradisus La Esmeralda, which offers 512 lavish suites, including 56 that are swim-up. Keep the whole family occupied at this all-inclusive resort with tons of activities and excursions for children and adults alike.

This is an outstanding resort on the eastern Mexican coast with a friendly and educated staff, diverse restaurants, spacious rooms, and an amazing spa. I’d recommend Paradisus for just about anyone. www.paradisusplayadelcarmen.com

For general trip-planning information, see our Playa del Carmen Travel Guide.

Not grateful for that homemade knitted sweater your Aunt Eileen gave you this holiday? Instead of putting on a happy face and thanking her for her generosity, you can submit it to the Wyndham Rewards’ “My Horrible Holiday Gift” contest. The contest puts you in the running for some awesome prizes, with the grand prize being two million Wyndham Reward points (which equates to nearly a year’s worth of free nights at the brand’s hotels around the world, an $8,000 shopping spree, or more tickets than you can count to your favorite concerts or sporting events).

To enter the contest, Wyndham Rewards members can upload a photo of their ugly sweater or other unfortunate gifts and provide a little description on why it isn’t the new iPad they were hoping for. Submit your photos before January 10, 2012 in order to be considered. Online voting will take place from January 17-23. Even if you didn’t get a lousy gift this holiday, feel free to relish in other people’s misfortune by voting!

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

The Saguaro, the first Joie de Vivre property outside of California, opened in downtown Scottsdale in November. Departing from the commonplace adobe white-washed architecture in the area, Stamberg Aferiat architects played off the colors of local wildflowers to create a vibrant, eye-popping palette. The resort’s 194 rooms come with balconies or patios and views of either the Old Town or Civic Center Mall, pool area or garden; custom contemporary furnishings from Mexico; and accents in colorful hues right out of a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. Two heated pools are surrounded by yellow loungers and umbrellas. Iron Chef Jose Garces developed the menus at both of the hotel’s restaurants: Old Town Whiskey, a saloon-style bar (try the burger with bourbon-glazed cipollini, rogue blue cheese, applewood bacon, and foie gras); and Distrito, a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar with a tapas-style menu of Mexican favorites. For its first 100 days open, the resort is offering promo rates of $100/night (available for 100 rooms per week); use promo code PROPEN. Offer is valid until March 1. Regular nightly rates start from $194. www.jdvhotels.com

For general trip-planning info, see our Phoenix Travel Guide.