The Tamesis
When it comes to hotel accommodations in Charlottesville, it’s hard to beat the iconic Keswick Hall. Nestled in the green foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside the city, this historic 80-room hotel was originally built in 1912 to resemble an Italian palace. Since then it has gone through many owners and iterations, and today it is the area’s top luxury resort, with two outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and a soothing spa, among other amenities.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Sometimes you just need some guaranteed beach sun, and for that, the Guanacaste province in northwestern Costa Rica is one of your safest bets this time of year. Known as the country’s “Golden Coast” for its brilliant golden glow, the region stretches along the Pacific Ocean and includes popular surf towns like Tamarindo and Nosara, as well as the ultra-luxe Peninsula Papagayo, an exclusive community with three luxury resorts.
While each region has a different character – Nosara, for example, is known for its laid-back jungle and drum circle feel, while Tamarindo has a more party vibe – they have one very important thing in common: sunshine. Guanacaste’s dry season is from December to April, with rain starting in mid-May, making spring break prime time for perfect beach weather (80s, sunny). If you can put away your towel, there’s plenty to do off the beach, from morning yoga in an open-air palapa to surfing lessons to an ATV coffee tour at one of Costa Rica’s many rural coffee farms. One last tip: don’t miss the sunset. They’re a nightly event throughout Guanacaste, and they’re spectacular (locals and tourists bring their drinks to the beach to watch the show).
Book a hotel
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton
As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel in Central America, the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve Nekajui (meaning “lush garden” in the language of the Chorotega people, indigenous to Guanacaste) is sure to be a hit. Set on 1,400 acres of jungle on the Papagayo Peninsula, the 108-room hotel, opening in February 2025, has no shortage of luxurious amenities, including six beautiful dining options, tennis and pickleball courts, an outdoor jungle gym, and a tranquil cliffside spa with the largest hydrotherapy pool in Latin America. Before you leave, don’t leave without snapping a photo on the hotel’s iconic suspension bridge, which floats above the lush treetops and connects two sides of the resort.
sedona arizona
It’s hard not to feel the appeal of Sedona when you’re here. The desert town in Arizona is known for being surreal, with red rocks that look like Mars and four major “vortex sites” believed to help visitors tap into the energy of another realm. Given this description, it’s no surprise that the town has attracted spiritual seekers for decades – a fact that’s especially evident on the main street filled with crystal shops and local businesses offering UFO tours (yes, those are a big thing there). But all New Age tourism aside, Sedona really comes alive in the spring, when the desert wildflowers bloom. From March to May, hiking trails are filled with bright yellow desert marigolds, deep purple lupins, bright red and orange Indian paintbrush flowers, and more. The most important thing? These wildflower-filled trails coincide with perfect hiking weather, with temperatures still in the 60s and 70s before the summer desert heat hits. Try hiking the West Fork of Oak Creek for a full-day adventure that crosses 11 rivers, choose the Broken Arrow Trail for an easier stroll (but just as scenic), or the Boynton Vista Trail to the Kachina Woman rock formation, one of the town’s four whirlpools.
Book a hotel
By Mii Amo
