Where to Get Away This
Summer—and What to Bring
A not-so-fun fact: More than half (half!) of working Americans didn’t put their paid vacation days to use in 2018. And if we had to guess, the likelihood of that percentage rising in 2020 is high. Really high. But it’s not all bad: With vaccine rollouts gaining traction, air travel picking up where it left off, and a slew of buzzy new hotels eager to welcome back travelers, the industry is on an upswing.
From Utah to Baja to NOLA, these are the new-on-the-scene spots topping our list—plus the suits, sandals, and matching sets you’ll most definitely want to take with.
CAMP SARIKA, UTAH
On a scale of one to roughing it, you can probably guess where the Aman’s new luxury glamping experience deep in the Utah desert falls. With marshmallowy beds in lieu of sleeping bags, en suite bathrooms and plunge pools in place of communal anything, and yes, high-speed Wi-Fi, this is the kind of camping we can all get behind. Whatever’s on the docket for the day—heart-thumping treks up the aerial stairway at Cave Peak, posthike dips at Hole in the Rock at nearby Lake Powell, starlit dinners at the neighboring Amangiri—there’s no wrong move. Just be ready to drop some serious coin and get your dates locked down stat: The property tops out at thirty guests and, as you might imagine, books up fast.
WHAT TO BRING
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goop Beauty GOOPGLOW glow lotion goop, $58/$52 with subscriptionSHOP NOW
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Loewe Paula’s Ibiza hat Matchesfashion, $450SHOP NOW
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BONDI BORN top goop, $150SHOP NOW
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BONDI BORN bottom goop, $120SHOP NOW
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Joseph Sandals goop, $560SHOP NOW
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Lake Powell, UtahLEARN MORE
PARADERO, TODOS SANTOS
Sprawled out in the small surf town of Todos Santos—a far cry from the spring-break energy of Los Cabos—is the recently unveiled architectural gem Paradero. What this cacti-happy sanctuary lacks in proximity to the Pacific Ocean (twentyish minutes…relax), it makes up for with jaw-dropping natural wonder and breathtaking views. Mornings center around nature walks and sun salutations on the yoga deck, while afternoons are reserved for taco tours through town or lazing around in hammocks, mezcal margarita in hand. Where this sustainably minded property really excels, however, is with chef Eduardo Ríos (of Pujol fame): He dishes up farm-to-fork feasts starring the local bounty, boatloads of fresh fish, and the kind of scratch-made salsas you wish you could bottle up and bring home. It’s only three hours from LAX, so getting there is the easy part; leaving is where things get hard.
Scroll through the Los Cabos guide for more happenings around Todos Santos.
WHAT TO BRING
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Ray-Ban Sunglasses goop, $154SHOP NOW
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Sophie Ratner earrings goop, $680SHOP NOW
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Varley bra goop, $50SHOP NOW
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Varley leggings goop, $88SHOP NOW
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On sneakers goop, $130SHOP NOW
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Leica camera Leica, $8,995SHOP NOW
HOTEL SAINT VINCENT, NOLA
In the world of boutique hotels, the name Liz Lambert carries a lot of weight—and for good reason. The brain behind the eclectic El Cosmico in Marfa, the stylish Saint Cecilia in Austin, and the trendy San Cristóbal in Todos Santos, Lambert, now a partner at MML Hospitality, just added one more design-centric hotel to her impressive résumé: the vibrant, Art Deco–y Hotel Saint Vincent in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. The historic area is also home to cafés (SV Espresso and Stein’s Market & Deli bagels get our vote), ornate architecture (like pastel-colored French colonial homes), and charming boutiques (Saint Claude Social Club is basically a jewelry treasure trove, and Sunday Shop is the spot for beautifully curated design finds). Put simply, it’s the perfect place to spend an entire day getting lost on foot. And when you do make it back to the hotel, you’ll want to grab a cocktail at the Chapel Club before diving into steamy dumplings and banh mi at Elizabeth Street Café next door.
For more, there’s the New Orleans city guide.
WHAT TO BRING
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Tata Harper lip and cheek tint goop, $39SHOP NOW
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Jade Swim one-piece goop, $198SHOP NOW
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Desmond and Dempsey set goop, $150SHOP NOW
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Loewe Pouch Matchesfashion, $265SHOP NOW
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The Row Sneakers SSENSE, $790SHOP NOW
We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. Our goal is to suggest only things we love and think you might, as well. We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.