SAFE Domestic Travel During the Pandemic
January, 2021
With winter upon us and vaccine distribution underway, people are eager to leave their houses and leave the city for a remote retreat. No matter how many precautions you take to travel, there will always be some risk of contracting Covid-19 unless you stay home. But, as an LA based travel agent I can advise on some of the safest (and most exciting) places to visit in the U.S. while the vaccine is distributed and we come closer to allowing international travel again (read COVID travel safety advice from the Mayo Clinic).
All of the featured hotels and houses have either free standing buildings, their own private entrances to individual rooms, and/or strict social distancing/cleaning protocols.
For Those that Want to Have a Reception Without Having Reception
Dunton Hot Springs (Dunton, CO)
Rates: From $730
Description: The last inhabitants left in 1918. This former mining town deep in Colorado has been restored from top to bottom and offers an exquisite retreat. Log cabins and spacious tents provide delightfully comfortable rooms; meals are taken in the saloon which has retained its original character, and provides a convivial gathering spot. The landscape of this splendid alpine valley, nestled in the San Juan mountains, changes with the passing seasons, from pristine white snow to flaming orange in autumn. This magnificent site’s natural hot springs with their life-enhancing benefits are an added bonus. (from Relais and Chateaux)
For Those that Want Legendary Luxury
Paradise Point Estates (Kailua Bay, O’ahu, Hawaii)
Rates: From $4500 (5BR, 5.5 BA)
Description: The Obamas have long escaped to Hawaii for their annual Christmas vacation — and this year was no exception.
In early December, former President Barack Obama was spotted playing golf in Hawaii while on his annual holiday vacation with his wife, Michelle.
During Obama's first term, the former president and his family typically returned each year to one vacation rental that became known as the "Winter White House." The Obamas spent the Christmas and New Year's holidays of 2008, 2009, and 2010 at a luxury vacation home known as Paradise Point Estates, the estate's manager, Glenn Weinberg, told Business Insider.
According to Weinberg, the Obamas inquired about staying each following year of his presidency, but Weinberg started using the home for his own family holidays starting in 2011.
Paradise Point Estates sits right on the beach and comes with a heated lagoon-style pool and pavilion with tropical waterfalls. Other high-profile guests have included Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Bradley Cooper, and Angelina Jolie and her sons, Weinberg told Business Insider. (from Business Insider)
For Those that Want Splendor in the Desert
Amangiri (Canyon Point, Southern Utah)
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)
For Those that Want to Wine for Less
The Allison Inn & Spa (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Rates: From $395
Description: If you need a reason to go ahead and book that trip to Oregon’s wine country you’ve long thought of taking, you’ve found it. The Allison Inn & Spa is the perfect launch pad for exploring pinot noir country.
As the Willamette Valley’s only full-service luxury hotel, you can taste wine by day and then retreat back to the charming inn for a wine facial in the luxe spa and a farm-cuisine dinner in the warm restaurant.
Neat rows of pinot noir vines blanket some of the 35-acres of hillside property, an appropriate backdrop for this well-appointed, eco-friendly hotel. The spacious guest rooms feel connected to the outdoors through views of the surrounding countryside from the large windows and private recessed balconies or terraces, soothing, earth-toned color palettes and local artwork that reflects the region. The hotel has quite the local art collection, plus a pool, state-of-the-art gym and more. (from Forbes)
For those that Want to Glamp in Style
Under Canvas (Various locations throughout the US)
Rates: From $199
Description: Recognized as the “perfect glamping experience” by Vogue, Under Canvas operates locations in Yellowstone and Glacier in Montana; Moab, Zion and Lake Powell-Grand Staircase in Utah; Mount Rushmore in South Dakota; Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; Grand Canyon in Arizona and Acadia in Maine.
The inherently spatially distanced, safari-inspired tents include amenities such as daily housekeeping and fresh towels, plush king-size beds, luxurious linens, en suite bathrooms, hot running water and even a wood burning stove for chilly nights. Complimentary programming ranging from yoga classes and crafts to acoustic live music and outdoor games means the fun doesn’t end when the national park adventures do. Kids and adults alike delight over evening s’mores around the communal campfire as they share their stories of their day’s adventure. Guests wake to sounds of nature, perfectly positioned to explore America’s most iconic national parks and monuments. (from Under Canvas)