Where to vacation this spring
OK, we’ve survived January and February, we’re rewarding ourselves with some vacation planning. Whether it’s beach vibes or a city break, we’ve got you covered from March through May – with the best hotel recs, of course. Here is our definitive list of where to book, stay and play this spring.
March
Beach: Todos Santos is no longer Mexico’s best-kept secret: tourists are flocking to this artsy, sleepy, ‘magical’ town in Baja California Sur. All the more reason to visit off-season, when temperatures tend to be between 81°F to 83°F at this time of year: warm enough to swim, surf, and drink copious mezcal margaritas (to cool down, of course). Stay at Hotel San Cristóbal (pictured above), our insider (and Vogue writer) Christina Pérez thinks it’s pretty darn great.
City: Dublin, for St Patrick’s Day? How predictable. Go later in March, beat the tourists, and spend a few days in the city getting to know the pubs Temple Bar, where you’ll find live music all year round. The Shelbourne Hotel is right in the middle of the city and steeped in history (the Irish Constitution was drafted here) – it’s also a few steps from the Cliff Townhouse, our shout for oysters and champagne – if you’re not into Guinness.
And for something a little different: Squeeze in some skiing before the season ends or just amble around art galleries and breweries with a trip to Manchester, Vermont. Book into the charming Kimpton Taconic Hotel.
April
Beach: Sicily is best visited in April, trust us. You’ll get warm temperatures without the sweltering– sometimes oppressive – June/July heat, meaning you can wander around hilly Taormina and bustling Palermo without breaking too much of a sweat. Sicily is steeped in cultural influences (Italien, Roman, Arab..) and the island truly has it all: amazing food (we recommend daily granita), incredible beaches and plentiful piazzas for people watching. Our shout? The Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is truly special and has epic views over the active volcano, Mount Etna.
City: Call us crazy, or just hedonistic, but we have Las Vegas on our list for April. Stay at the Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace: it’s chic, small (by Vegas standards) and the food is awesome, it’s also right on the strip. Vegas isn’t just casinos and Celine Dion: art lovers should take themselves on a tour of hotel lobbies. No, really – see original work Damien Hirst and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the lobby of the Palms Casino Resort and by Takashi Murakami at the Wynn Hotel, to name a few.
And for something a little different: Arles in the South of France. If it’s good enough for Vincent Van Gogh, we’ll give it a try. The seasonal L’Hôtel Particulier reopens in April – be the first in the door.
May
Beach: May is the perfect month for the ultimate US road trip and our first stop is Charleston, South Carolina. It’s got year-round good weather, incredible beaches, and truly some of the most charming hotels we’ve ever seen. Check in to 86 Cannon or the peachy-orange Elliott House Inn. Tip: the food is excellent in SC – don’t leave Charleston without trying some damn good barbecue.
City: Make like Megan and see what all the fuss is about in Vancouver (#Megxit). Go in May to take full advantage of being in a bustling cosmopolitan city that’s surrounded by nature: the blossoming trees and copious greenery just makes us feel good. Stay at the Loden – it’s well-located downtown, great for business and leisure travelers alike and has in-room yoga mats. Namaste.
And for something a little different: Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, is like stepping into a medieval history book and is an architecture lover’s dream. Stay at Hotel PACAI.
