There’s so much to look forward to come springtime, which offically starts on March 19. The air, at long last, has warmed up. There’s more sunlight to enjoy, and people, for the most part, are in a brighter mood as well.
But one destination, in particular, embraces these seasonal changes in a remarkably enchanting way. From late March through early April, approximately 3,800 cherry trees dust Washington, D.C. in exquisite shades of pink. This natural occurance draws in over 1.5 million people annually, and is commemorated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, being held this year between March 20 through April 14.
While most hotels in town are offering special activations for the highly anticipated event, few are celebrating it more extravagantly than Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. Unveiled in the summer of 2022, this modern grande dame taking up residence in the former Old Post Office Building offers a sophisticated stay merging history with contemporary comforts.
Beyond the 263 guest rooms and suites—which are all uniquely configured to honor the landmarked structure—it’s the glass-enclosed, sky-scraping atrium that’s the hotel’s most notable feature. “You can stay here all day, and have different experiences as the sunlight changes the mood,” comments General Manager Senih Geray. “This is a one-stop shop for business meetings to social gatherings.”
To make staying at Waldorf Astoria even more special during cherry blossom season (and beyond), the property is offering a Cherry Blossom Unforgettable Memories Package, available for bookings of two nights or longer, through June. In addition to spacious accommodations dripping in old-world elegance, you’ll be treated to an indulgent cherry blossom tea experience.
Served in the grand atrium—which has been transformed into a whimsical wonderland displaying a 19-foot tall replica of a cherry blossom tree, mini blossoms framing Peacock Alley’s bar, and local figurative artist Claire Sharp’s colorful pieces, which are available for sale—the traditional afternoon tea is offered Fridays through Sundays with seatings between noon and 2:00 p.m and a live harpist to make the surroundings even more dreamy. As you’d expect: there’s plenty of pink and cherry-themed nibbles such as Cherry Orange scones, Smoked Salmon Pinwheels, and Cherry Pistachio Financiers to tuck into. (Even the classic three-tier stand is decorated with pretty florals.) Though the selection of ethically-sourced TeaLeaves is well-rounded, why not complete the themed afternoon with the Cherry Blossom tea, a grassy Sencha infused with hints of sweet cherry? There’s fantastic Champagne available, too, including Billecart-Salmon and Krug Grande Cuvée.
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While Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, South Korea offers its own unforgettable cherry blossom experience. Known locally as "beotkkot," the cherry blossom season in South Korea transforms the country into a breathtaking palette of pink, beguiling both locals and tourists alike. The 2024 bloom season for these beloved blooms is expected to be particularly stunning, with experts estimating that this year’s flowering with arrive seven days earlier than normal.
Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis has opened as one of the city’s top luxury hotels ahead of the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum’s official launch and following the post-pandemic opening of Cairo’s culturally significant Civilization museum.
If you’re a sakura - or cherry blossom - lover, you’ll likely have Japan and Washington DC on your travel bucket lists. But did you know there are countless places across Europe with equally impressive pink blooms to take in this spring?
A destination rich in history and culture, Washington, D.C., has endless attractions. More than simply the nation’s capital, a politician’s escape or a school field trip destination, Washington has become a vibrant melting pot of excellent hotels, standout dining and ample cultural experiences.
On the sidelines of the first day of ITB Berlin, Emirates and TUI Cruises have renewed their partnership for a further two seasons, in line with Dubai’s efforts to grow its cruise capacity. Emirates will work with TUI Cruises to offer flight options that align with upcoming cruise schedules. “The airline will also explore enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International (DXB) and Port Rashid, leverage insights to improve services on the ground, and provide dedicated support teams for cruise passengers. Currently, the port’s Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest single covered cruise terminal facility, is capable of handling 14,000 passengers a day,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Let’s get one thing straight: Not all atolls were created equal. But on the plus side, the Maldives has thousands of sun-drenched islands, and discovering the perfect one for your trip is all part of the fun.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival brings hordes of visitors from around the world to the nation’s capital as the town gets bathed in pink. This year’s festival will take place in Washington, DC, between March 20 and April 14, 2024.
Few places capture the platonic ideal of vacation quite like Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui. To kick off 2024, the resort has given its 794 rooms and suites an upgrade—gentle touches like teak lanai furniture and frangipani-flower prints—while the 50,000-square-foot spa, the largest in Hawaii, is midway through a top-to-toe revamp rooted in the island's traditional healing practices. The 40 acres of pikake-filled tropical gardens and Pacific views remain, of course: Let the golden hour, during which guests gather to watch the sky turn every shade of sherbet, then ochre, determine the palette for your visit. Below, we gathered the Grand Wailea–inspired pieces to pack on your next beach vacation, from printed maxi dresses and colorful swimwear to chic, raffia handbags.