If you waited until the last minute to make Independence Day plans, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out on the impressive fireworks shows, summer food and refreshing cocktails. Some of the country’s luxury hotels are throwing patriotic bashes for the holiday weekend and handling all of the planning for you. Make a quick trip to these three properties to celebrate the Fourth of July:
The Four-Star waterfront hotel will ring in July 4 with a slew of festivities, including a major party at one of its signature restaurants, Wit & Wisdom, a Tavern by Michael Mina. The second annual gathering, which runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., will feature kids’ activities and a prime spot with panoramic views of the fireworks over the Inner Harbor and from the famous Domino Sugar factory. Nosh on tasty bites such as fried chicken, oysters, tamarind baked beans and grilled corn with Old Bay butter, and wash it all down with festive red, white and blue sangria or a pint of Heavy Seas in the onsite beer garden.
Another option is PABU, the hotel’s Japanese eatery that will serve up a four-course meal ($65 per person) of family-style dishes, such as barbecue ribs, shellfish, chicken and fish. Stay up for the spot’s late-night event (9:30 to 11:30 p.m.) featuring a live DJ and drink specials.
The Hay-Adams, Washington D.C.
There’s arguably no more fitting place to partake in Fourth of July than the nation’s capital. This year, The Hay-Adams (located across from the White House lawn) is offering a special package, including overnight accommodations and a three-course dinner for two (either in the Lafayette or Hay-Adams rooms) complete with wine and an open bar. The menu (subject to change) will include lobster-and-fennel gazpacho, pan-seared Maryland jumbo lump crab cakes and St. Louis-style barbecue ribs. Before dinner, you’ll be greeted with a festive cocktail, such as the Patriotic Pom (pomegranate, vodka and seltzer), and Dixieland-jazz band Charm City Ramblers will provide live music. When it comes time for fireworks over the city, you’ll have access to the Four-Star hotel’s ninth-floor Top of the Hay space for your viewing pleasure, with a glass of champagne and desserts, to boot.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
While Hawaii may not seem like your typical spot to celebrate this holiday, Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is putting its own spin on the national event. The lush resort will fire up the grill for a barbecue on the Fourth of July at its Ocean Front Lawn, complete with plenty of delicious fare from the hotel’s restaurant, DUO Steak and Seafood, including seared salmon with kimchi slaw as well as barbecue baby-back ribs with sweet kettle baked beans. Side plates of cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, coleslaw and potato and macaroni and cheese salad will be there for the taking, too. Choose from an assortment of Maui Brewing Co. beers, including Bikini Blonde, Lemongrass Saison, CoCoNut Porter and Hoku’ula Red Ale. Once you’ve had your fill of food and drink, revel under the stars as a Hawaiian solo guitarist provides the soundtrack to your Independence Day.
Photos Courtesy of iStock-Olga Bogatyrenko and Four Seasons
