Contributor: Elyse Glickman
Now that we’re vaccinated, we’ve started planning our summer wardrobes and choosing a beach bag to stash our sunscreen, water and beach towel. The only thing left to do is find the perfect Caribbean or Pacific island for that long-awaited and well-deserved spring getaway. There’s just one hitch—many islands in the Caribbean and Pacific may still have travel restrictions in place. However, there are several luxury resorts and hotels that bring the islands to the continental U.S. - No passport needed! Bring yourself and your swimsuit, and just add water.
Casa Monica Resort, St. Augustine, FL www.kesslercollection.com/casa-monica/
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US and home of the fabled “Fountain of Youth.” Despite all the attention that American history books give to New England, St. Augustine was one of the first entry points into the "New World" when it was founded by the Spanish in 1565.
Today, when you visit St. Augustine, you’ll find the Casa Monica Hotel & Resort which was reimagined nearly 20 years ago but continues to make upgrades. It’s a sophisticated island getaway with an elegant art deco design. Casa Monica’s Poseidon Spa offers on-site or in-room massages. Their Casa Brava restaurant features a menu that’s a combination of Spanish, Floridian and Caribbean cuisine.
There’s plenty of things to do in the area. Casa Monica has two vintage cars available for rent. It’s also located within walking distance of the beach and downtown St. Augustine where you can find boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
The Opal Sands Hotel, Clearwater, FL
The Opal Sands Resort is a welcomed anomaly amid the mix of family-oriented hotels and big-name resorts that line the waterfront of Clearwater Beach. It’s a great option for visitors craving a modern, luxury boutique hotel that captures the glamour of Miami’s South Beach, but without crowds.
Standing 15 stories tall, this hotel has 230 rooms. It also has an art deco design with beachfront terraces. The lobby’s atrium is filled with contemporary canvases and sculpture, including a dramatic hanging mobile by Florida artist Christopher Still. The Opal Sands has lavish suites that blend luxury and practicality with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. The suites come with full kitchens, living rooms with plush furniture, and marble bathrooms. In addition to the hotel restaurant, each floor has a pantry stocked with snacks, fresh fruit, and bottled water.
Though you may not want to leave such swanky digs or your rented cabana at the pool or adjoining beach, the Opal Sands is walking distance from Pier 60 which is well known for its sunset views, art fairs, and live music at dusk. Nearby, you’ll find the Clearwater Marina which has a boat launch point for fishing charters, ferries to Caladesi Island State Park, and dolphin watching and local history tours. You can view glances of the impressive real estate owned by sports and Hollywood celebrities and spend time shopping along the endless stretch of surf shops with cool beach gear.
Playa Largo, Key Largo, FL playalargoresort.com
Yes, the Florida Keys are technically islands that links to the U.S. mainland, but Floridians consider it their own paradise. At the pinnacle of this destination, the ultra-luxurious, multi-award winning Playa Largo spoils its guests with a choice from
177 luxury rooms, suites, bungalows, and an immaculately appointed beach house. All dwellings face out to crystalline waters, swaying palms, and white sands as well as John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It offers guests a private marina with easy access to prime sunset views as well as paddle boarding, snorkeling, boating and fishing excursions along with the picturesque hotel pool.
Although the domain of Ernest Hemingway and endless coastline beckon, other things you can enjoy at the property include bountiful seafood meals at Sol by the Sea, freshly caught global fare at La Marea, and authentic Japanese and Latin American Ceviche and Sushi preparations at Las Olas. Numerous pool drinks await at the Sand Bar. If you are holding out to dive into a different kind of menu after a rigorous day at the beach or on the trails, look no further than the hotel’s spa. The signature service is a customized, self-guided treatment, specially formulated scrubs using coffee grounds, sugar and salt, plush spa lounge, and refreshing tropical welcome drinks.
Terranea Resort, San Pedro, CA terranea.com
Located near the Port of Los Angeles, this famously posh and wellness focused Terranea Resort is an island of sorts. It encompasses the best aspects of the California lifestyle, tucked away from Los Angeles’ hustle and bustle. It’s also tailor-made for grown-up girl’s getaway weekend, especially if you and your friends go in on one of the adult-only, wellness-focused, Bungalow Suites. In-room wellness equipment include a yoga mat, resistance bands and dumbbells. These rooms also come with a full kitchen, a deep-soaking tub and guests receive discounts for spa services.
The Pacific coastline serves as inspiration for its signature spa services, which pair nicely with a sunset viewing at the spa’s pool or plush lounge areas. Complimentary low impact coastal hikes and more advanced Nature’s Gym sessions are conducted regularly. The hotel’s Experience Center can arrange other outdoor fitness adventures such as kayak sessions with a dedicated naturalist. The fitness and spa areas of the resort, meanwhile, take fine advantage of the California coastal views and year-round warm weather. This includes Seaside Cycle (spin) and Seaside Yoga, as well as access to the airy, well-appointed cardio room with Technogym equipment.
As this is, however, one can allow for a little indulgence outside the spa, whether it is through a spread of zesty Asian share plates at bashi, an early Sunday brunch of specially curated creations (served pre-buffet) at catalina kitchen, or the acclaimed mar’sel, serving its custom-created Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and Cal-Mediterranean dishes running the gamut from elegantly healthy to full-on decadence.
You may want to get to the Caribbean sooner rather than later, but until restrictions are lifted, there’s plenty of U.S. destinations where you can take in the sun.
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