When Getting Away is All About Where You Stay
While most of us may think of our hotel as the place we stash our stuff and crash at the end of the day, there is a whole new breed of hotels that are changing the way we think about our lodging. Since the 1800s there have been destination hotels – hotels travelers journeyed to for the sake of the hotel, not the surrounding interests. Often these hotels were built around lush private grounds, gourmet cuisine or natural attractions such as hot springs or volcanoes. Recently; however, destination hotels have taken on a whole new meaning. Private beach access, on site spas and boutiques, restaurants to suit every mood, championship golf courses and more make a traveler wonder why they should even leave the grounds.Take, for example, the Hilton Hawaiian Village located in Waikiki. The resort is situated on 22 acres of oceanfront property so guests can enjoy private beach access, surfing lessons, kayak rentals and an afternoon on the Atlantis Submarine all from the convenience of their hotel. There are more than 20 restaurants and bars, tons of shops, salons and spas, and nightly entertainment. For a dose of culture, guests strolling the grounds will find art galleries, gardens, exotic birds, penguins and other wildlife. The hotel claims to travelers of all types – from families to honeymooners to business travelers.
Looking for something a little more relaxing? How about a private villa at the Ventana Inn and Spa located in California’s Big Sur region. Your vacation begins with a call from your pre-arrival concierge who will help you plan your stay. Once arrived, there is no need to even leave the grounds – you can book spa services, cooking classes, even mushroom hunting and private hikes with the accommodating staff. If golf is more your style, rest assured there are hundreds of hotels around the world featuring championship courses for every level of player. Try your handicap at The Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina or The Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Destination hotels make the perfect getaway for the seasoned traveler who has seen and done it all. Spa and golf packages are the norm, but many resorts also offer gourmet cooking classes, dive packages, safari expeditions and urban retreats.
Since luxury is typically a key ingredient in destination hotels, prices can be high, but deals abound. Try traveling in the off-season or looking for hotels that let you use points from a hotel loyalty program or frequent flier miles. Online travel agencies such as Travelocity and Expedia help you comparison shop for the best rates and some will even notify you if a particular property goes on sale. Prices still too high? Keep in mind that not all destination hotels are five star resorts; there are many less expensive lodgings that focus on the activities on the grounds rather than the plush accommodations in your room.