Encore Tower Suites. Credit: Encore Tower Suites
Between back-to-school preparation and mid-year deadlines, the last weeks of summer can be hectic. Instead of stressing out, clear some time out of your busy schedule for one last warm-weather escape before beaches and bathing suits become a distant memory.
Luckily, these high-end hotels are offering up some sumptuous ways to close out the season in style.
Encore Tower Suites
Live it up in Las Vegas, where everything is bigger, brighter and more indulgent. Finish out your summer with a larger-than-life stay at this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star all-suite respite where private entrances, dedicated concierges and 4K TVs come standard.
No matter what you’re craving in a warm-weather escape, you can find it here. Laze the days away at the exclusive Tower Suites pool, take in a world-class concert (R&B legend Anita Baker takes the stage from August 24 through September 2) or opt for one of the resort’s timeless epicurean experiences.
Available through August, the South American-inspired menu at The Buffet at Wynn is a flavor vacation you won’t want to miss. Dine on rodizio-style (Brazilian steakhouse) fare like chimichurri-rojo-rubbed tomahawk rib eye, pollo a la brasa (blackened chicken) and tres leches cake.
Hotel Derek. Credit: Hotel Derek
Hotel Derek
Eat your way through America’s fourth-largest metropolis during the month-long extravaganza that is Houston Restaurant Weeks. Through Labor Day, the city-wide foodie fest encourages locals and visitors alike to dine out and do good — a portion of the proceeds from each meal served benefits the Houston Food Bank.
More than 250 area eateries participate in the fundraiser by offering prix fixe menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. Indulge during the last days of the event with a $35 three-course feast from Four-Star Italian venue Quattro (crispy charred octopus and a hearty morel-mushroom-filled risotto grace the menu) or a French-themed brunch at The Galleria’s La Table (caramelized cheese soufflé is always a good choice).
When you’ve had your fill, rest your head at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotel Derek, a modern boutique stay in the fashionable Galleria district. You might be too full to try the Texas-inspired fare at the property’s Revolve Kitchen and Bar, but don’t miss a chance to sample a few of the 20 regional craft beers pouring at the pop-up pub Tap & Pour.
The Inn at Hastings Park. Credit: The Inn at Hastings Park
The Inn at Hastings Park
Summer in New England is spectacular, especially when staying at a charming, historic inn, such as this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat. Situated just outside of Boston, the 22-room boutique stay is mere steps from the Lexington Green (the American Revolution’s starting point), making it an ideal home base from which to experience the region’s colonial-era roots.
Reserve the hotel’s Summer Savings offer to make the most of your getaway, with discounted accommodations, complimentary breakfast and gratis bike rentals to make exploring this charming neighborhood even easier.
Cycle along Lexington’s Minuteman Bikeway, stop for a swim in Walden Pond or take in an outdoor concert, complete with a gourmet picnic and blanket provided by the inn’s restaurant, Artistry on the Green.
W San Francisco’s Trace. Credit: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
W San Francisco
Head to the City by the Bay for a stylish escape from daily drudgery. Tackle the end-of-summer sales by booking this sleek Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel’s Retail Retox Shopping Package.
Not only will you be gifted with an upgraded urban retreat in this San Francisco skyscraper, but you’ll also receive a slew of perks from nearby Bloomingdale’s, such as a personal shopper, a $50 gift card and 15 percent off your in-store purchases.
After your indulgent shopping spree, strut your stuff through the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art next door or see and be seen over dinner, followed by cocktails at the W’s trendy Trace restaurant.
Nizuc Resort & Spa. Credit: Nizuc Resort & Spa
Nizuc Resort & Spa
Is there a better spot to soak up the last of summer’s rays than on a white sandy beach in Cancun? This Four-Star oceanfront resort boasts a dreamy tropical locale, along with plenty of ways to help you experience it all.
Opt for a kayaking excursion or a paddle-boarding lesson, or dive beneath the waves to snorkel along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. If you prefer something a little more luxe, you can always charter the resort’s yacht for a day of cruising the Caribbean Sea.
Once you’ve had your fun in the sun, be sure to cool off with a hydrating treatment at the Mayan-inspired Four-Star spa (we recommend the Mayan Purity Wrap and Massage) before stopping into the Havana Lounge for freshly rolled cigars and a great selection of Caribbean rums.
The Spa at The Setai. Credit: The Setai Miami Beach
The Setai Miami Beach
Take a step back from the modern flair of Miami with an art-deco-inspired escape at this Five-Star South Beach beauty. With three azure pools surrounded by oversized daybeds, a serene Four-Star spa and beach-facing black soaking tubs (book a suite to enjoy this particular perk), The Setai makes it easy to find a slice of paradise among the South Florida fray.
Celebrate summer (and a landmark anniversary) with the hotel’s Setai Vintage offer: in honor of the historic building’s 80th birthday, the beachfront stay is giving you 10 percent off your nightly rate, complimentary breakfast for two and two gratis glasses of Louis Roederer champagne to toast your spectacular surroundings.
Casa Velas Puerto Vallarta. Credit: Velas Resorts
Casa Velas Puerto Vallarta or Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Say goodbye to the season with a rejuvenating escape to Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. From September 6 to 9, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host the Wellnessing Getaway, and its nearby sister property, Casa Velas also will you exclusive access to the event.
Not only will you enjoy three days packed with expert-led workouts, cooking classes and health seminars, but you’ll receive complimentary transportation between the hotels (roughly a 20-minute ride) and full access to each resort’s wellness facilities.
Get the best of both worlds with morning yoga sessions and vegan sushi-making classes, before retreating to your all-inclusive paradise for elegant oceanfront dining and tequila tastings.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Orlando may be known as the theme park capital of the world, but that doesn’t mean the city’s high-end hotels don’t know how to pamper. Reserve a so-long-to-summer retreat at this sophisticated Four-Star stay to take advantage of the spa’s seasonal happy hour.
Available Monday through Wednesday until September 26 at the 40,000-square-foot Four-Star facility, a special menu of discounted services is sure to rehydrate your overly sun-kissed skin. Enjoy 25 percent off a Relaxation Massage or an Organic Facial, and then treat yourself to a luxurious mani/pedi or blowout.
And just in case you want to continue the pampering at home, you can also apply a $20 discount on purchases at the spa’s Tranquility Boutique.
