Summer vacation. Beaches. Pools. Big international trips. Crowded tourist attractions. But, what about a vacation during COVID?

It’s a time of year when people are normally traveling all over the place. You might be wondering what to do with the rest of your summer. And what about the fall? Or the rest of 2020? 2021?

Where can you vacation during COVID?

As COVID numbers continue to trend in the wrong direction for the United States, we continue to be more limited in where we can travel. This is a dynamic situation, and things are changing daily. But overall, here’s the trend if you are thinking about a vacation during COVID. As a US citizen, if you are going to travel near term, domestic is your safest bet.

International options are limited

Yes, there are other international destinations welcoming US citizens like St. Lucia and Mexico. And there are others who soon plan to welcome US citizens like French Polynesia. At the same time, there are countries like Iceland and Portugal who intended to welcome US citizens upon reopening their borders. They have since backpedaled on that decision. Most recently, the Bahamas retracted their open border policy for US citizens.

The problem is, if we as an American society continue to be careless and let our COVID cases rise, the list of countries banning us from entry is going to continue to rise as well. So, if you do decide to travel or go to restaurants or be in public places, please be smart about it. There are ways to do it right.

Domestic options are the safest bet near term

Near term, this leaves us with domestic travel, an ever-changing (and limited) list of international destinations, and forward thinking. For now, let’s focus on our safest bet for a vacation during COVID: domestic travel.

If you are thinking about taking a vacation during COVID, I need to tell you something. There are so many amazing properties spread across the US that were designed for social distancing. And that was wayyy before it was the travel industry’s hottest trend! If you don’t believe me, read on.

 

Top 50 US properties for your post-quarantine vacation

I collaborated with a few of my luxury travel industry colleagues to cover the ENTIRE US on this one. No matter where you live, how far you are willing to travel, or what “remote destination” means to you, there’s a breathtaking option for you. 

They are all in remote locations, have tons of outdoor space, and offer secluded accommodation options. For example, cottages, cabins, casitas, villas, bungalows, private homes, or full buyout.

Here’s how it works:

• We broke the US into 10 categories:
  • Northeast
  • Southeast
  • Southeast Beaches
  • Southwest
  • California
  • Rockies
  • Hawaii
  • Dude ranches
  • Couples Getaway
  • Family Vacation
• For each category, we studied the destinations and hand-picked a top 5 with your health and safety top of mind:
  • We’ve chosen options at different price points and rounded things out geographically within a given region. Everyone has different needs and priorities, so they are not listed in ranking order. 
• It is not an end all, be all list:
  • There are too many great properties to include them all. If you do not find something that matches your needs in a given category, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask (email me directly: jordan@thejourneybound.com). I am happy to have the conversation and guide you in the right direction!

You might be looking for a near term driving distance getaway. Or maybe you’re planning ahead for a time when you will be ready to travel. Either way, continue reading and use this hand-picked list as a starting point. 

 

VIP perks and amenities for you

I am partnered with many of these properties (e.g. Virtuoso), which means free stuff and VIP treatment for you! For starters, this means:

• Free breakfast daily
• Food, beverage, or spa credits to use during your stay
• Potential room upgrades

Plus, I will always contact the properties directly on behalf of my clients. This ensures they are ready to welcome you personally, and gives you the best chance of receiving extra amenities and room upgrades 🙂

Northeast

Winvian Farm | Morris, CT – Recharge and indulge at this 113-acre escape in the woods.

• Open: Now

• $599++ per night

Chatham Bars Inn | Chatham, MA – Kick back, relax, and unwind on a pristine New England beach.

• Open: Now

• $585++ per night

Twin Farms | Barnard, VT – Retreat, relax, and reconnect at Vermont’s only 5-star resort.

• Open: Now

• $1700++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Lake Placid Lodge | Lake Placid, NY – Where rustic lakefront elegance meets modern convenience. 

• Open: Now

• $600++ per night

Ocean House | Watch Hill, RI – Immerse yourself in luxury and tranquility on the oceanfront.

• Open: Now

• $1000++ per night

Southeast

Blackberry Farm & Blackberry Mountain | Walland, TN – An outdoorsy foodie’s dream set in the Great Smoky Mountains.

• Open: Now
• $1795++ per night

Montage Palmetto Bluff | Bluffton, SC – Lowcountry charm set within a vibrant 20,000 acre community.

• Open: Now
• $495++ per night

Inn at Perry Cabin | St. Michaels, MD – Find a new state of calm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

• Open: Now
• $695++ per night

Primland Resort | Meadows of Dan, VA – Refined style and luxury meet endless outdoor opportunity.

• Open: Now
• $430++ per night

Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee | Lake Oconee, GA – Escape from the noise at this tranquil lakefront retreat.

• Open: Now
• $549++ per night

Southeast Beaches

Sea Island | Sea Island, GA – Where Southern charm meets 5 miles of private beach.

• Open: Now
• $499++ per night

Bungalows | Key Largo, FL – A laidback luxury waterfront island oasis in the Keys.

• Open: Now
• $809++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Watercolor Inn | Santa Rosa Beach, FL – Where laidback beach house comfort meets boutique luxury.

• Open: Now
• $395++ per night

Laplaya Beach & Golf Resort | Naples, FL – A haven for sparkling turquoise waters and white sandy beaches.

• Open: Now
• $287++ per night

The Sanctuary | Kiawah Island, SC – Find luxury in this truly lavish setting on the Carolina coast.

• Open: Now
• $505++ per night

Southwest

Miraval | Tucson, AZ – A wellness retreat nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

• Open: Now
• $800++ per night (all inclusive)

Amangiri | Canyon Point, UT – An otherworldly desert oasis in the canyons of southern Utah.

• Open: Now
• $3500++ per night

Under Canvas | Moab, UT – Safari style canvas glamping tents in Utah’s canyon country.

• Open: Now
• $200++ per night

Vermejo | Raton, NM – A remote hideaway with 550,000 stunning acres of land to explore.

• Open: Now
• $1300++ per night

Four Seasons Scottsdale | Scottsdale, AZ – Desert romance and timeless beauty meet outdoor adventure.

• Open: Now
• $300++ per night

California

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | Rancho Santa Fe, CA – A relaxed, yet elegant wellness retreat with a California vibe.

• Open: Now
• $799++ per night

The Resort at Pelican Hill | Newport Coast, CA – 504 acres of unrivaled coastal beauty overlooking the Pacific.

• Open: Now
• $695++ per night

La Quinta Resort | Palm Springs, CA – A remote desert oasis for relaxation and renewal.

• Open: September 4th
• $250++ per night

Carmel Valley Ranch | Carmel, CA – A 500-acre escape with room to roam, explore, and discover.

• Open: Now
• $500++ per night

Timber Cove | Sonoma Coast, CA – A magical place perched on a dramatic bluff above the Pacific.

• Open: Now
• $349++ per night

Rockies

Stein Eriksen Lodge | Park CIty, UT – Sophistication and grace nestled amid the serenity of Deer Valley.

• Open: Now
• $435++ per night

Amangani | Jackson, WY – A secluded hilltop hideaway on the fringes of the Grand Tetons.

• Open: Now
• $1100++ per night

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake | Whitefish, MT – Endless adventure and majestic Montana scenery at every turn.

• Open: Now
• $300++ per night

Gateway Canyons | Gateway, CO – Wonder, adventure, & relaxation meet at this remote luxury resort.

• Open: Now
• $500++ per night

The Ranch at Emerald Valley | Colorado Springs, CO – A luxury wilderness retreat surrounded by 100,000+ acres.

• Open: Now
• $1200++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Hawaii

Mauna Lani | Big Island, HI – Secluded beaches and coral reefs on the dramatic Kohala Coast.

• Open: September 1st
• $499++ per night

Andaz Maui at Wailea | Maui, HI – Escape to a luxury island retreat set on 15 beachfront acres.

• Open: September 1st
• $569++ per night

Four Seasons Lanai | Lanai, HI – A secluded oceanfront retreat on Hawaii’s last unspoiled island.

• Open: Now
• $1000++ per night

Four Seasons Ko Olina | Oahu, HI – Laidback luxury on Oahu’s sunny and rugged western coast.

• Open: TBD
• $500++ per night

Timbers Kauai | Kauai, HI – A residence style luxury resort on Kauai’s sunny southern coast.

• Open: Now
• $1000++ per night

Dude Ranches

The Resort at Paws Up | Greenough, MT – Where incomparable luxury meets unspoiled wilderness.

• Open: Now
• $1600++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

The Ranch at Rock Creek | Philipsburg, MT – Balance Western adventure with lavish amenities.

• Open: Now
• $1800++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Triple Creek Ranch | Darby, MT – Immerse yourself in luxury in the midst of a great wilderness.

• Open: Now
• $1100++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Lone Mountain Ranch | Big Sky, MT – Experience the Big Sky with the elevated comforts of home.

• Open: Now
• $850++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Brush Creek Ranch | Saratoga, WY – Reconnect, relax, and rejoice in unbridled luxury.

• Open: Now
• $1800++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Couples Getaway

Post Ranch Inn | Big Sur, CA – A serene cliff-top retreat where romance and connection thrive.

• Open: Now
• $1275++ per night

The Green O | Greenough, MT – An adults only oasis for adventure and serenity, hidden in the trees.

• Open: August 1st
• $2530++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

The Point | Saranac Lake, NY – Gracious hospitality and luxury meets privacy in the wilderness.

• Open: Now
• $1750++ per couple, per night (all inclusive)

Little Palm Island | The Keys, FL – British West Indies style beach bungalows on a lush, private island.

• Open: Now
• $1190++ per night

Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado | Santa Fe, NM – A high desert refuge in America’s land of enchantment.

• Open: Now
• $780++ per night

Family Vacation

Terranea | Palos Verdes, CA – A Mediterranean-inspired resort poised above coastal Pacific bluffs.

• Open: Now
• $430++ per night

Under Canvas | Great Smoky Mountains, TN – Safari style canvas glamping tents minutes from the Smoky Mountains.

• Open: Now
• $200++ per night

Montage Kapalua Bay | Maui, HI – Embrace the Maui lifestyle along the picturesque waters of Kapalua.

• Open: September 1st
• $825++ per night

Wequassett | Harwich, MA – A meticulously landscapes luxury hideaway on the Cape.

• Open: Now
• $695++ per night

Suncadia Resort | Cle Elum, WA – 6,000 acres of forested mountain landscape in the Pacific Northwest.

• Open: Now
• $259++ per night

Again, this is not an end all be all list. But, whether you’re looking for a vacation during COVID or if you’re planning ahead for a time when you will be ready to travel, this hand-picked list is a great place to start. 

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Most luxury travelers don’t have the time, knowledge, or expertise to plan truly awesome vacations. I offer a personalized travel planning and concierge service to help you save time, access the best travel experiences, and travel hassle free.

I am partnered with many of these luxury properties (e.g. Virtuoso), which means VIP perks and amenities for you! To contact me directly, email jordan@thejourneybound.com. To start planning your trip today, click PLAN MY TRIP below.