New and Unique Nonstop Flights from Los Angeles
April, 2021
1. Los Angeles (LAX)- Fort Myers (RSW) (4 flights per week on Alaska, seasonal)
Many people know that they can fly to Tampa or Miami to get to Florida. However, destinations typically reserved for east-coasters such as Sanibel Island can now be accessed by us west-coasters, with direct flights from LAX to Fort Myers. What’s amazing about Sanibel Island and nearby small communities such as Captiva, is that there are sand bars all over, so you walk out a long way into the ocean and explore. Enjoy the quaint nights as Captiva wakes up and falls asleep early, much like the town of Hanalei in Hawaii.
Recommended Accommodation in Sanibel:
For Those that Want a Palace for Themselves: Sea Oats Luxury Estate (9 BR, 9 BA)
Rates: From $3800
Why: Nestled on 4 beautiful acres between the Gulf of Mexico and one of Florida’s pristine wildlife preserves, Sea Oats Luxury Estate is Captiva Island’s only nine-bedroom rental estate offering sleeping accommodations for parties of up to 30 guests. The premier coastal estate offers breath taking views, exclusive amenities, unique grounds and luxurious comforts for an unmatched island getaway.
Reservation of Sea Oats is always an exclusive reservation of the entire estate and includes use of the main house and guest house, heated swimming pool, on-site tennis/basketball court, private dock overlooking Buck Key Preserve, access to our Gulf of Mexico beach and use of Sea Oats 6-passenger concierge golf cart. The estate features 9 bedrooms and 9 baths, comfortably sleeping up to 30 guests. Sea Oats offers personal concierge services in creating customized itineraries, grocery shopping service, the option to add housekeeping services, hire a personal chef, rent kayaks and paddle boards and more. (from Airbnb Luxe)
For Those that Want to Socialize: Casa Ybel Resort
Rates: From $300
Why: Revel in the beauty of Sanibel Island in a Beachfront Suite at one of its top island resorts. Casa Ybel Resort is one of the only all-suite beachfront resorts on Sanibel Island offering guests a choice of exceptional One or Two-Bedroom accommodations with captivating views of the Gulf of Mexico. Furnished to feel like a private vacation home, each of the spacious suites features a separate living room with a sleeper sofa and a host of amenities, from WiFi to outdoor gas grills for cook-outs.
Nestled on 23 spectacular acres along Sanibel Island's famous white sand beach, Casa Ybel is the perfect gateway to exhilarating adventures. Spend glorious, sun-splashed days paddle boarding, kayaking, boating or fishing. As the sun sets, gather the family for a beach bonfire and s'mores roast or an outdoor movie.
Luxuriate on a screened lanai or balcony while watching the gentle waves of the Gulf. Start the morning with a fresh cup of coffee or a walk on the beach. And enjoy the convenience of your fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor grill. If you prefer not to lift a finger during your Sanibel Island vacation, Thistle Lodge and Coconuts Poolside Bar and Grill will be happy to do the serving for you. (from Five Star Alliance)
2. Los Angeles (LAX)- Prescott (PRC) (Daily Service on United)
Many people know that they can fly to Phoenix and drive up to Sedona or the Grand Canyon. This is often a long 3 hour+ drive to the Grand Canyon. Luckily, there’s now a new nonstop from Los Angeles to Prescott. Flying in to Prescott saves an hour in driving to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Furthermore, flying into Prescott is also a great alternative for visiting Amangiri and Zion National park as now you can make a multi-city road trip with beautiful stops including the Grand Canyon instead of driving from Las Vegas and back the same way.
Recommended accommodation in the Prescott area:
For Those that Need to Detox: L’Auberge de Sedona
Rates: From $399
Description: L’Auberge de Sedona is a place to escape in Arizona’s gorgeous Red Rock Country. The calming vibe of the luxury retreat is enhanced by the sound of water trickling over rock as the free-flowing Oak Creek courses through the 11-acre property. Accommodations include cottages, cliff-side suites or cozy lodge rooms with views of the creek or craggy red rock panoramas. The natural, rugged setting offsets the luxurious hotel, which has become a place that attracts couples celebrating special occasions, families reveling in outdoor adventures, gal pals sharing a creekside lunch and businesspeople on renewing executive retreats. (from Forbes)
For Those that Want the Kardashian Mountain Experience: Amangiri
Rates: From $2100
Description: Amangiri, literally meaning peaceful mountain, is centered around the incredible free form swimming pool built into the surrounding cliff face which seems to flow from within the rock itself. Combining natural hues, textures and designs, the resort’s limestone pavilions provide a cool oasis in the heart of the south-west desert. The spa is most certainly worth a mention with an overwater sauna pavilion and an ultra-modern floating treatment pagoda. The rooms (really more like apartments) are spread generously around the grounds offering stunning views of the desert as well as the utmost privacy. So what to do? Well…be sure to take a private river tour on the mighty Colorado River with a gourmet picnic lunch on its banks to boot. Starting at the base of the Glen Canyon dam, drift downstream between the thousand-foot cliffs on either side, perhaps stopping off for a scenic hike along the way. (from Black Tomato)
3. Los Angeles (LAX) - Oaxaca (OAX) (3 flights per week on Volaris)
Why visit: Everything, and nothing about the state of Oaxaca, is what you’d expect from a trip to Mexico. The verdant Sierra Norte highlands lie north of frost-tipped Valles Centrales, while on the southern coast, Pacific waves lap at quintessential tropical beaches, teeming with marine life and flanked by quaint beach villages. Travel to Oaxaca to experience the best of Mexico; it’s one of the safest and most economically stable regions in the country. While in Oaxaca, travel to the colonial capital city, also called Oaxaca. Considered Humanity’s Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO, the face of Oaxaca is charming 17th-century architecture: courtyards and shaded zocalos. The flavor? Traditional Mexican. Come here for grilled empanadas and spicy hot chocolate. In recent years, contemporary art galleries have joined craft markets that feature indigenous arts and artifacts. (from Travel and Leisure)
Recommended accommodation in Oaxaca:
For Those that want to be in the Middle of it All: Quinta Real
Rates: from $170
Description: Nestled in a region rich in history and culture, Quinta Real Oaxaca mixes old world charm with modern day luxuries. Along with curved archways, frescoes and tiles have been lovingly restored, preserving the building’s colonial design, and offering you a glimpse into what it was like in 1576, when it was originally built as the Convento de Santa Catalina de Siena. Alongside this, you will find contemporary suites, captivating courtyards, a garden pool, and impeccable service from the concierge.
Oaxaca is a Unesco World Heritage Site, so there is plenty of history to explore just outside the doors of the Quinta Real Oaxaca. Your appreciation of regional culture will deepen further during the hotel’s Guelaguetza performances — every Friday night, colorfully costumed dancers, representing eight regions of Oaxaca, move to the music of a brass band. (from Quinta Real)
4. Los Angeles (LAX)- Zihuatanejo (ZIH) (Daily Seasonal Flights on Alaska)
Why visit: Zihuatanejo’s Playa la Ropa (the real-life fantasy beach from The Shawshank Redemption) could not feel further from the bustle of Mexico City, despite being just 40 minutes away by plane. The half-mile swath of Mexican beach running along a protected bay of the Pacific is a million miles away from the mass tourism of Caribbean-coast beaches like Cancun and Tulum. Zihuatanejo (called Zihua – “zee-hwa” – by locals) still feels undiscovered, despite its warm, tranquil waters, no-shoes-required fish shacks, white sand beach, and a sleepy, laid-back attitude.
The town has been on the hipster radar a long time—Andy Warhol, the Rolling Stones, and Jack Kerouac have all visited, and Timothy Leary organized an LSD convention on the beach in the 1960s. But, thankfully, for years the need for a Mexico City layover and mountainous terrain protected Zihua from resort developments and Instagram hashtags that would harsh its chill vibe. Direct flights from six U.S. cities as well as a smattering of new destinations in town like the Thompson Hotel and a cool surf café–art gallery have changed the landscape slightly, without edging out local beachgoers or destroying the area’s authentic flavor. (from Afar)
Recommended accommodation in Zihuatanejo:
For Those that want Views and Privacy: Casa Angelina
Rates: From $1800 for full property buyout
Description: A home away from home may be a bit of a cliché, but Casa Angelina Zihuatanejo is just that: a handsome hacienda perched in the hills above the laid-back surfing town of Zihua, which you'll have all to yourself. You’ll find no pandering to Instagram aesthetics in this Pacific-coast retreat, but rather grown-up good looks, a casual kitchen and a strategic scattering of poolside hammocks from which to soak up the views. Pick a group of friends or bring the family and spread out over six intimate suites. (from Mr. and Mrs. Smith)
For Those that Want to be in a Beach Town: Thompson Zihuatanejo
Rates: From $266
Description: Along the white sands of one of Mexico's most sought-after beaches, retreat to a thatched palapa, walk or jog along the shore, or dive into all that the resort has to offer: a trio of outdoor swimming pools – two for adults, one for families – water sports, cooking classes, yoga, and an air-conditioned gym. Thompson Zihuatanejo offers impeccable service, lounge chairs, towels, food, drinks, and complimentary locally inspired treats. Don't forget to take advantage of the intimate spa – have an in-room or beach massage for ultrarelaxation. Then, indulge in gorgeous sunsets, fine dining, and oceanfront nightlife. (from Virtuoso)
5. LAX - Bentonville XNA (Daily Seasonal Flights on American)
Why visit: The Ozark Mountains—an isolated area of the mid-South—comprises the northern territory of Arkansas, the southern region of Missouri, and just a smidgeon of southern Illinois, Oklahoma, and southeastern Kansas. It hasn’t always been at the top of many travel lists, but often the stepchild of its larger, more sophisticated surrounding cities. The land has long been a destination for those seeking outdoor adventures among its rugged woodlands, limestone bluffs, and pristine waters, and travelers are finally catching on to its beauty. Big businesses have peaked, ushering in a demand for boutique accommodations, high-end shopping, fine art, and upscale dining. (from Vogue)
Recommended accommodation in The Ozarks:
For the All-Inclusive Experience: Stonewater Cove Resort & Club
Rates: from $375
Description: Stonewater Cove calls itself “a luxury lake and forest retreat,” which aptly describes the secluded elegance. This is the “quiet” side of Table Rock Lake, offering activities as relaxing or adventurous as you’d like. Dinner at The Lodge restaurant—included with your stay—is generally four or five courses, with locally inspired dishes such as goat cheese agnolotti with braised pork jowl and Pecorino cream or grilled salmon with quinoa risotto and saffron cream. Keeping with the resort’s intimate setting, The Lodge is open only to guests except on Saturday evenings. (from Missouri Life Magazine)