Epic Stays tips

The famed Road to Hana on Hawai’i’s Maui island starts in Kahului, near the airport. It traverses 63 miles and a seemingly endless stretch of one-lane bridges and switchbacks — taking you past some of the planet’s loveliest waterfalls and hiking trails. It’s a drive that embodies the journey-is-the-destination mindset. So why not keep the journey going a little longer by breaking it up with some overnight stays? Add in some beachside camping and waterfall hiking without having to skimp your time in the destination itself.

There’s something special about Charleston, South Carolina. Spanish moss drips from the limbs of centuries-old oaks, and the ghosts of bygone eras wander the streets on cool evening breezes. As I step through the front doors of the historic Mills House hotel, I’m quickly reminded that all of the things that make Charleston special are perfectly captured within these walls. If only they could talk.

Grindelwald, the iconic mountain town a train’s ride from Interlaken in south-central Switzerland, is renowned for its breathtaking alpine views of the Eiger and other prominent peaks. The Boutique Hotel Glacier perfectly captures that beauty from your room. The entire south side of the hotel is designed to showcase the stunning views of the Eiger North Face. From the bottom-floor spa to the ground-floor restaurant, floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the scenery, while the rooms feature glass doors that span nearly the entire wall for an uninterrupted view. While the hotel blends into the traditional alpine chalets surrounding it, its elegant, modern updates give it a unique charm. Dating back to 1864, Hotel Glacier effortlessly marries history with contemporary luxury, nestled beautifully against the mountain and local farmhouses.

The 59-room Newport Resort in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, is a relaxed, approachable, and amenity-filled property where you can spend a relaxing night while exploring surrounding Door County. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a friendly welcome and enthusiastic, personalized suggestions on what to do in the area from the front desk staff, who are genuinely happy to share insider insights into where they work and live.

From the rooftop pool deck of the Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons (DOCO) mall, I gazed down at a crowd of hyped-up circus fans buzzing around Golden 1 Center. Home to the Sacramento Kings basketball team, the arena also hosts concerts and special events like the Greatest Show on Earth, which happened to be in town during my visit.

July this year marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Purple Rain, and while a lot has changed since 1984, there are still cherished places from the film in Minneapolis you can visit. Perhaps the most famous is “The Kid’s House,” locally known as “The Prince House,” and you can stay overnight with Airbnb.

Death Valley; the name alone conjures up images of lonely viewpoints that’ll send a quiver down your spine. Home to the powerful landscapes of Badwater Basin and Artist’s Palette, even the rocks have a mind of their own in this national park while the sand dunes are known to sing. While Death Valley may be ​​unforgiving, lodging around the park is anything but. Properties skirt the park limits with accommodation in Nevada and California giving you the option to sleep near amenities or out in the wilderness. These surreal Airbnbs near Death Valley National Park let you experience the unique scenery of the desert without forfeiting comfort.

In less than five decades, the Maldives has become the superlative destination for luxe stays and romantic interludes. Powdery beaches aside, what makes the archipelago truly unique is that each tropical island contains only one hotel. Hideaway villas and bans on using drones maintain privacy whereas intuitive all-inclusive packages handle everything from transfers to poolside punch.

Picture this: You’re gliding through the emerald waters of Mexico’s Mayakoba over a breakfast of fresh pastries, toast, and yogurt parfait. Nature thrums softly as you float past mangroves, luxurious waterfront homes and hotels, and crocodile-dotted shores. Herons and tropical birds soar overhead as you sail on a private lagoon tour in the heart of the Maya Riviera.

Known for its miles of white sandy beaches, America’s Finest City has an abundance of attractions and other neat finds for anyone and everyone. No matter where you stay or what vibe you’re feeling, San Diego has visitors covered, from the beach to exploring its fun downtown to going remote in a secluded cabin. Here are the best Airbnb San Diego rentals for all types of travelers.

The “Golden Triangle” of Southeast Asia was named such due to the region’s thriving opium trade from the ’50s until the early 21st century. The mountainous region, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, subsequently became fashionable with backpackers hopping between the countries before going south to Cambodia and Vietnam.

Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio includes 32 different brands. More than any standout architectural or interior design details, consistent quality and a beloved rewards program tend to keep travelers checking into the world’s largest hotel chain. However, one of the first things that struck me about the Munich Marriott Hotel City West, one of the brand’s newest locations, as I approached from the nearby train station on a sunny June afternoon was its impressive, almost Bauhaus-esque silhouette on Landsberger Strasse, the main thoroughfare that leads into downtown Munich.

Nowhere in the world embodies humanity’s living history quite like the Bosphorus Straight. Cutting 19 miles through Istanbul and northwest Türkiye, the straight is the only shipping channel connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and, eventually, the Mediterranean. As such, it’s an imperative lifeblood for West Asia and the Caucasus, and throughout human history has carried, celebrated, and cursed some of the most powerful armies the world has ever seen. Indeed, if only these waters could talk.

As I touched down at Dalaman Airport in Türkiye, a warm breeze and a hint of salty humidity welcomed me, signaling that the Aegean Sea was just around the corner.

Thailand is a perennial favorite for its tropical islands, mountainous north, and ornate pagodas. These startling landscapes are quite literally back in the limelight since Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui have been confirmed as the filming locations for the third season of HBO’s White Lotus, tipping Thailand as the hottest destination for 2025. If past plots are anything to go by, you might feel more comfortable vacationing away from the hotels. These showstopping Airbnbs in Thailand are free from drama and high in red-carpet luxury.

Leaving the shores of Sicily, season three of HBO’s White Lotus is being filmed in Thailand. If you’re dreaming of a stylish beach vacation White Lotus style (minus the murder, scams, and sleeping around), you’re in luck because Unforgettable Travel, a premier luxury travel company, has just launched a White Lotus Thailand tour from Bangkok to the stunning island of Koh Samui.

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Staying overnight in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of AlUla has been possible for some years. Since Saudi Arabia opened its borders to tourism a few years ago, the region has welcomed guests with immersive luxury desert stays at sustainable resorts like Banyan Tree and Habitas AlUla and glamping at Ashar Tented Resort. And now it’s possible to stay in AlUla’s Old Town.

Thailand is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The country, especially popular with digital nomads, attracted more than 11 million foreign visitors in 2022, most of whom go to relax on tropical beaches, have a cultural experience at Buddhist temples, or soak in the energy of bustling cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Sipping an Old Fashioned with an unobstructed view of the Tentons without worrying about the kids sounds like heaven on Earth. And you can now do that in style at a stay at Jackson Hole’s first adults-only hotel, Hotel Yellowstone.

In the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, lies Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with a history that stretches back over 1,300 years. Founded in 705 AD, the hotel is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world.