7 Perfect Destinations for a Quick Getaway

7 Perfect Destinations for a Quick Getaway

Looking forward and with the holidays behind us, we’re looking forward to our next adventure!

St. Lucia for the Group Getaway You’ve Been Planning for Over a Year

Why it’s perfect: No better time than the present to finally book that group vacation that you and your loved ones have been talking about! Perfect for group getaways, St. Lucia offers its world-renowned luxurious accommodations, enticing rum culture and beautiful nature experiences such as hiking the pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or swimming at the Soufriere natural waterfall. Whether it’s to update your Instagram feed with epic waterfall shots or to simply relax on the beach with your friends, St. Lucia is perfect for that group getaway you’ve been waiting for. This quick getaway from the East Coast is perfect for anyone trying to escape the bitter Northeastern winter!

Where to stay: Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is perfect for group getaways with its spacious Luxury Beachfront Villas. Featuring two and three bedroom villas, guests can breathe in the view of Labrelotte Bay through wall to wall glass sliding doors and waterfront terrace, plus a private plunge pool. Perfect for groups, the Luxury Beachfront Villas feature king and two queen-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, enclosed living and dining areas, and a private pool. To make the most out of your vacation, book the All-Inclusive option, which covers all meals and activities.

Starting rate: USD1,966 per night for a Premium All-Inclusive Ocean View 2-Bedroom Villa

Bermuda for the Beach Bum and Modern Art Lover

Why it’s perfect: Because no one person is one-dimensional! With beautiful beaches and world-class art, sun seekers and culture vultures alike can find their haven in Bermuda. Spend the day soaking in the sun on one of the many white powder beaches (Dark ‘N Stormy in hand is optional, but recommended!) followed by a fun night out in the lively town. Chat with the friendly locals and pop into one of the many galleries throughout the island, and you’ll surely leave your vacation with more than just a suntan. And just a 2.5-hour flight from the East Coast, Bermuda is the perfect quick getaway!

Where to stay: Lovingly referred to as the “Pink Palace,” the iconic Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is the perfect haven for beach bums as well as art enthusiasts. Luxurious accommodations aside, the resort is the ideal place to rest your head when taking a beach vacation with its own private and secluded beach club accessible via a private jitney, as well as over 300 works of modern masterpieces such as an 18-foot-tall wooden KAWS sculpture and Pablo Picasso pieces dotting the public halls.

Starting rate: US649 per night for a Deluxe Room

Rhode Island for “Rhode” Trip With Unique New England Charm 

Why it’s perfect: While known to be the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island is big on experience. Travelers can spend a long weekend experiencing each region within the state from the cultural capital of Providence, where you can visit Roger Williams Park Zoo (one of the oldest zoos in the country), dine on Rhode Island's famous hot wieners at Olneyville New York System, and watch Providence's signature event, WaterFire. Drive along the Ocean State's coastline through Newport County's quaint towns such as Warren, where travelers can experience the state's famous drink, a coffee cabinet at Delekta Pharmacy (also a soda shoppe) or Narragansett, home to the state's most family-friendly beaches. A stop in South County is not complete without a visit to Matunuck Oyster Bar to experience true farm-to-table cooking with a free tour of the seven-acreoyster farm which shows how shellfish are cultivated in local waters. Check out how the Vanderbilt's used to spend their summers in Newport with a tour of the multiple gilded-age mansions located throughout the city. History buffs can learn about Newport of the 18th and 19th centuries through Newport Historical Society's various walking tours.

Where to stay: Wherever the “Rhode trip” takes travelers throughout the state, there's always a great place to stay. Those who make Providence home base should book a stay at the new boutique hotel, The Beatrice. Set in the 1887 Exchange Building, the 47-room hotel is accompanied by a world-class culinary hotspot with the debut of Ignazio Cipriani’s first Bellini Restaurant and private rooftop club in the New England region.

Starting rate: Rates in September 2022 at The Beatrice start at USD259 per night.

Sea Island, Georgia for the Family Vacation that Your Kids (and You!) Desperately Need

Why it’s perfect: It’s time to book that trip that you and your family deserve! With fine dining, stunning sunsets, and an extensive array of engaging nature adventures and recreational experiences, Sea Island entices families, outdoor and activity enthusiasts, and those simply wanting to refresh and recharge. Whether young or young at heart, guests will find it difficult to be bored at Sea Island with its five miles of private beach, Beach Club, tennis and squash centers, Yacht Club, Shooting School, and Camp Cloister. Guests of all ages can enjoy their days horseback riding along the beach, kayaking through the marsh, playing golf on one of the three championship courses, or rejuvenating at The Spa.

Where to stay: Whether one’s looking for a weekend of luxury at The Cloister, a romantic getaway at The Lodge, a more affordable vacation at The Inn, or an outdoor adventure at Broadfield Sporting Club and Lodge, Sea Island is a one-stop-shop for a vacation fit for the entire family – even the family dog!

Starting rate: A Garden Wing Room at The Cloister starts at USD440 per night.

British Virgin Islands for Island Hopping

Why it’s perfect: The British Virgin Islands is an alluring archipelago comprising over 60 islands and cays, making it the perfect island-hopping destination. Known as the Sailing Capital of the Caribbean, the best way to see the territory and experience each major island is by boat. Each island is unique in itself; Anegada is known for its decadent spiny lobsters, Norman Island for its underwater caving, Jost Van Dyke for its white-sand beaches, Virgin Gorda for The Baths and more. The best way to get a taste of the different beaches on each island is to charter a yacht. Companies such as Voyage Charters offer a crewed sailing experience that comes with a gourmet chef, professional captain and sleeps as many as 12. Staying on a yacht is perfect for big family vacations or friend getaways providing a captain who knows all the best snorkeling spots, seamless transportation to all the islands you wish to see and more.

Where to stay: When the island hoppers need to rest their sea legs, book a stay at Bitter End Yacht Club. Following a four-year closure and a complete rebuild, the 64-acre island outpost located on Virgin Gorda is set to reopen its doors, docks, and nautical village in the Winter 2021 season. A sailor’s paradise, Bitter End will debut all-new Marina Lofts, built for those who desire to sleep at the water’s edge. Inspired by vintage sail lofts—Bitter End boasts the only over-the-water bungalows in the BVI.

Starting rate: Voyage Charters weekly rates start at $7,695 and Bitter End Marina Lofts starting rates will be released in December.

St. Pete/Clearwater for Those Who Want A Bit of Everything

Why it’s perfect: With its attractive 361 days of sunshine per year plus some of the best beaches in the U.S., numerous museums, outdoor activities and exciting festive events, St. Pete/Clearwater, FL is the perfect destination for any traveler. The destination is home to over 30 museums and galleries featuring world-renowned artists including Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and more. Adventure and outdoor travelers will love clear kayaking in the Shell Key Preserve, paddleboarding, camping on the beach, snorkeling and much more. And no trip to St. Pete is complete without a visit (or many) to its award-winning beaches!

Where to stay: Retro-Florida meets modern-chic at the new Bellwether Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. Capturing the vintage spirit of its coastal locale, Bellwether’s iconic architecture and nostalgic interiors set the tone for the resort experience. With panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico coastline, and complimentary access to beach cabanas or beach chairs/umbrellas, visitors will delight in this beachside escape.

Starting rate: Newly-renovated Bellwether Classic Rooms start at US$317 per night.

Houston for the Urban Explorer

Why it’s perfect: Long known as the Space City for the NASA Johnson Space Center, we’re officially dubbing Houston as the Exploration City. Listed on many lists detailing where to go in 2022, Houston offers much more than space exploration with the second-biggest theater district in the US and one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse cities. Go on a culinary adventure from MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s restaurant Blind Goat showcasing Vietnamese fare, to a taste of Southern cuisine at Black-owned Lucille’s or comfort food at Breakfast Klub. Expand your cultural horizons at Houston’s many museums and institutions, such as at the Houston Museum of African American Culture, which recognizes the achievements of Black Americans, or the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, currently exhibiting The Dirty South, an exhibit that explores the roots of Southern hip hop culture.

Where to stay: In line with the Exploration City, the new The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection emulates the same spirit. Recently opened in November 2021, The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection is named after the trailblazing steamship that solidified Houston as a destination of industry and progress and is a welcome respite in bustling downtown Houston. Expect spacious rooms, luxurious interiors and deep soaking tubs that overlook terraces and city views, upscale Southern cuisine and inventive cocktails at the hotel bar.

Starting rate: A spacious standard double guestroom starts at US$216 per night.