Bernardus Lodge
Photo Courtesy of Bernardus Lodge & Spa
There’s no shortage of grand old jubilations marking the Fourth of July, but we’re most excited about the luxury hotels around the country that are helping us celebrate America.
From fireworks shows to appreciating the natural beauty of the country, here are a few spots to fête the USA this summer.
Hotel Ivy, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Minneapolis offers a great taste of classic Americana with its Red, White & Boom celebration on July Fourth. Held along the city’s riverfront, the festival includes live music, loads of food options, activities for kids and, of course, a huge fireworks show to cap everything off.
Stay at the nearby Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotel Ivy to be close (but not too close) to all the action — it’s about a mile and half away. Pencil in time for an appointment at Ivy Spa Club, the city’s largest day spa, for indulgent local-inspired treatments.
Wolfgang Puck Steak, Photo Courtesy of MGM Resorts International
MGM Grand Detroit
Get a serious jumpstart on celebrations a full week early by heading to Detroit for the 58th annual Ford Fireworks along the Detroit River on June 27.
Book a room at the Four-Star MGM Grand and stick around a few days for comedian Sinbad’s always-popular standup routine at the MGM Grand Detroit Event Center on July 1. The show’s on a Friday, leaving you a long weekend to explore the casino resort, including Wolfgang Puck Steak and V Nightclub.
Bernardus Lodge
If you’re looking for gorgeous scenery beyond what traditional pyrotechnics provide, head straight to Four-Star Bernardus Lodge in California’s Carmel Valley. Specifically, book a table at the hotel’s rustic-chic Four-Star Lucia Restaurant & Bar for live music, stellar craft cocktails and an alfresco meal on the Fourth that will showcase the local bounty at its summer peak.
Oh, and that scenery? The entire restaurant overlooks the property’s vineyards and gardens.
Wheatleigh’s Midsummer Night’s BBQ, Photo Courtesy of Wheatleigh Hotel
Wheatleigh
Spend the whole Fourth of July week in the Berkshires at this Five-Star Italianate resort and take part in all the quintessential summertime activities you can think of — swimming, tennis, hiking and kayaking.
Stay until July 6 and you can experience the first of the resort’s Midsummer Night’s BBQs, which will feature alfresco family-style dining on the lovely grand terrace. You’ll nosh on upscale eats like grilled lobster, lamb and wood-fired sausage.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
A Five-Star stunner, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is the perfect place to enjoy the long holiday weekend. Get reinvigorated and beach-ready at Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples with its special Summer Sensations offerings (Tropical Glow Scrub, perhaps?). Or enjoy the three miles of private white-sand beach that give way to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
On Independence Day, it’s a short drive to Naples Pier, where you can view the city’s annual fireworks show.
The Restoration
The best backdrop for a stunning fireworks show is the Charleston Harbor and The Restoration, a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended property, has the perfect setting for seeing the sights.
The Restoration will host an all-American barbecue at its rooftop venue, The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits, complete with a vintage flag and Americana exhibition before the fireworks start. The Red, White & Blue 4th event also offers a limited bar.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa’s Beach View, Photo Courtesy of Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
For something a little different, check out The Fashion Collective at Gurney’s. The fashion pop-up at the Montauk hotel features a rooftop ocean viewing of Edie Parker’s wares during July Fourth weekend.
After you finish shopping, go for a stroll along the beautiful private beach or take a stateside tour of Europe with the spa’s Roman bath, Finnish rock sauna, Russian steam room and Swiss shower.
Mahekal Beach Resort
While the traditional Mayan cooking demonstrations and Yucatan-inspired spa services are unapologetically Mexican, Mahekal Beach Resort, one of Playa del Carmen’s most inspired playgrounds, knows how to have fun on the Fourth of July, too.
This year’s beachfront barbecue will have you feeling as if you never left your backyard. Of course, by the time local singer/songwriter Mike Grabow finishes crooning from his spot on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, you’ll realize how far from home you are.
