Break out the flip-flops and sunblock: summer is here. Though the sun-drenched season doesn’t technically begin until June 21, there’s no reason to wait to plan your next warm-weather adventure.
Whether you’re looking for a music festival with Southern flair or a swanky new city-center retreat, these high-end hotels across globe offer ways to unwind this June.
Newly debuted on May 8, Four Seasons Hotel Montreal is a swanky addition to this historic city’s social scene. From the Instagram-worthy entry (interiors by Paris-based Gilles & Boissier feature white marble, gold elevators and pink and gray velvet walls) to the 188 chic rooms and suites, this welcomed beauty hits all the design high notes.
But the standout at this classic-meets-contemporary stay is the third-floor Social Square, a bright and airy gathering place with the first Canadian outpost from celebrity chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson (snag a seat on the terrace to get Montreal’s balmy summer breezes) and direct access to the recently opened Holt Renfrew Ogilvy department store next door.
There’s still time to catch the final tennis matches of the French Open (through June 9). Spend your days watching greats like Rafael Nadal and Madison Keys sparkle at Roland Garros before savoring your nights in the City of Light.
When the day’s clay-court action ends, head less than 20 minutes up the Seine to sip on classic cocktails to the tune of DJ-spun tunes at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Prince de Galles, A Luxury Collection Hotel‘s Bar Le Heures. At the end of the evening, retire in style to your art deco-inspired accommodations — splurge on a suite with a private terrace overlooking Avenue George V that would even get Serena Williams’ approval.
With its Victorian-inspired design and proximity to Colonial Williamsburg, Five-Star Williamsburg Inn offers a particularly regal retreat for your next summer getaway. Throw in a little contemporary culture with the Virginia Arts Festival’s Williamsburg Live concert series on June 21 and 22.
Held on the historic enclave’s Lawn of the Art Museums, this weekend music fest features performances by Grammy-winning singer/songwriters Norah Jones and Emmylou Harris with a side of Southern cuisine from regional food trucks. Be sure to pair your blue crabs and North Carolina-style barbecue with a local beer — Alewerks Brewing Company and Billsburg Brewery (both near the venue) will make exclusive brews for the shows.
A longtime sponsor of the renowned Santa Fe Opera, Four-Star Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi provides a prime package to help you enjoy the 63rd concert season (June 28 to August 24) in style.
After a night of being serenaded under the New Mexico stars, return to your downtown digs to savor Southwestern cuisine and cocktails at Anasazi Restaurant (a $100 credit ensures you can indulge in a few extra margaritas). When you’re ready to tuck into your cozy accommodations for the evening, relaxing around the gas-lit kiva fireplace will be even more music to your ears.
Rather than signing the kids up for summer camp, treat the whole crew to a getaway to Kuala Lumpur’s Resorts World Genting. This mega-resort is a mecca for family fun with Skytropolis indoor theme park (home to 20 rides), The VOID VR experience and jaw-dropping live stunt shows like Imaginatricks.
Between adventures, rest your head at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Maxims at Resort World Genting. The sky-high hotel’s Duplex Suites are ideal for groups of all ages, thanks to massive flat-screen TVs equipped with home theater systems, premium snacks and 1,100 square feet of elbow room. Make time for a dip in the sleek indoor heated pool.
Rather than explore in Texas’ notorious daytime heat, save the sightseeing for after dark with Jungle Boogie Nights at the San Antonio Zoo. This season, the facility stays open late on Friday evenings, allowing you (and the animals) to savor cooler temps. Live music, discounted drinks and vendors selling locally made crafts only add to the festive feel.
While you wait for nightfall, laze your days away just five miles from the zoo at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Mokara Hotel & Spa’s rooftop pool. If you find yourself soaking up too much sun, go to the wildly luxurious Four-Star spa instead for a cooling mud wrap.
A beacon of epicurean elegance in Northern Virginia, Five-Star The Inn at Little Washington, and its eponymous dining room, should be a stop on every foodie’s bucket list. Executive chef and owner Patrick O’Connell recently earned the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award for his consistent commitment to excellence spanning four decades — the timeless toque has led his restaurant to five other James Beard Awards and nearly 30 years of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ratings.
Get a taste of this legacy for yourself with the quaint property’s Celebration Package this June. The promotion is packed with tasty extras, including welcome cocktails, afternoon tea, dinner at the renowned restaurant, a celebratory cake to share (or not) and an autographed copy of O’Connell’s latest book, The Inn at Little Washington: A Magnificent Obsession.
