By The Editors By The Editors | May 22, 2024 | Feature, Travel, Guides,
From hidden getaways and world-class spas to exotic safari camps and around-the-world private jet tours, the Modern Luxury editorial team curates the ultimate list for luxury travel.
BEST FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
If you need a breath of fresh country air, the Poconos Skytop Lodge is where you’ll find it. The 5,500-acre Skytop Lodge is a must-stay for outdoor lovers. Spend your mornings relaxing with the views of the Poconos, your afternoons playing a round of golf and your evenings taking a kayak to see the sunset. Have an adventurous spirit? Try the on-site axe throwing, rock climbing or treetop adventure courses. skytop.com
BEST PLACE TO CATCH A POLO MATCH
If watching horses and stomping divots is your idea of an ideal Saturday, there’s nowhere better to catch a match than Bucks County’s Tinicum Park. Surrounded by some of the most bucolic scenery in all of Bucks County, head up for a decidedly unpretentious day of ponies and tailgates. Tinicumparkpoloclub.org
BEST ROMANTIC GETAWAY
Located in Farmington, Pennsylvania is Nemacolin, a luxury retreat built to satisfy couples, families and solo travelers alike. Stay with your family in a resort-style vacation home or plan a romantic getaway at the newly renovated The Chateau. Enter your wellness era at the holistic healing center or Woodland’s Spa or channel your inner outdoorsman with paintball or Jeep offroading. nemacolin.com
BEST RIVER TOWN STAY
Less than an hour north of Philadelphia sits the quaint town of New Hope, flanked by the Logan Inn. The historic inn has all the charm of a swanky hotel of decades past, but with modern amenities like a whiskey bar that features craft cocktails, making it a must-stay for vacationers and locals alike. loganinn.com
BEST NATURE-FOCUSED DESTINATION
Kennett Square's Longwood Gardens isn’t just for Christmas time—the expansive gardens, once owned by the du Pont family, are open year-round and feature not just rows of gorgeous blooms, but also live performances, fountain shows, and painting and gardening classes. longwoodgardens.org
BEST HISTORIC HOTEL
If your travel plans have you leaving Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Delaware is a great option. Hotel Du Pont is a historic building in the center of downtown that has provided luxury stays for luminaries from Elizabeth Taylor and Jon Bon Jovi. Immerse yourself in their high-class accommodations, including concierge service and in-room dining from the esteemed restaurant, Le Cavalier, for the ultimate weekend getaway. hoteldupont.com
BEST FOR THRILL SEEKERS
If your vacation style includes thrills and raising your blood pressure, consider the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Located in Millville, New Jersey, the park has two world-class road courses and a go-kart course. Make a weekend out of it and stay in one of their on-site villas or opt for a day trip filled with racing cars, axe-throwing and dips in the pool. njmp.com
BEST BEACHFRONT STAY
Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey is America’s first seaside resort, and today, it’s still the go-to for Philadelphians who need a weekend by the water. Nestled along the beachfront, a stay at Congress Hall includes sleepy mornings, spa services and upscale on-site dining. caperesorts.com/congress-hall
BEST WELLNESS RESORT
The Reeds at Shelter Haven in Stone Harbor, New Jersey offers a unique oceanside experience—not only do you get to enjoy the ocean breeze from your hotel balcony, you also get to indulge at some of the best restaurants in the area and take advantage of their highly coveted Salt Spa, known for their Brine Lounge and Turkish Bath. reedsatshelterhaven.com
BEST FOR DINING WITH A VIEW
If your idea of vacation is sipping on ice-cold cocktails and slurping down a dozen oysters while watching the sun disappear behind the ocean, the Deauville Inn in Strathmere, New Jersey is the ultimate choice. Have a relaxing dinner at The Sunset Deck or channel your college days with an evening out at The Sandbar. deauvilleinn.com
BEST FOR FAMILY ESCAPES
Looking for the ultimate family getaway? Let the rich smell of chocolate lead you to the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Bring the kids and get one of their exclusive Hershey Park packages and stay in one of their newly built villas, opening over Memorial Day. thehotelhershey.com
BEST SHORE GETAWAY
If you’re looking for a place to spend your Jersey Shore vacation, there’s no place better suited than Avalon Icona. The recently refreshed hotel in Avalon is not only beautiful, it also features beachfront access, fishing charters, mini golf, parasailing and more. icona.com
BEST FOR GOLFERS
The only thing better than playing a round of golf at a gorgeous resort, is playing two rounds of golf at two gorgeous resorts. Whether you choose to stay at Renault Winery Resort or its sister property, LBI National Golf & Resort in Egg Harbor, you’ll get to experience the best there is in accommodations, food and of course, golf. renaultwinery.com
BEST PLANE RIDE AWAY
Asheville, North Carolina may seem a bit further away than our other local travel destinations, but for good reason. Just two hours on a flight or nine hours road tripping, brings you to the Biltmore, an iconic castle known as America’s largest home. Take a tour of the property, have lunch on the grounds and visit the attached winery. biltmore.com
BEST CULTURAL DAY OUT
The best thing about Philadelphia is that you don’t even need to leave the city to experience the best there is in arts and culture. The Woodmere Art Museum tells the story of Philadelphia through art and has rotating exhibitions for every age and preference. woodmereartmuseum.org
BEST SPA DESTINATION
If you have yet to shake off the stress of the season, take a trip to Sojo Spa Club in Edgewater, New Jersey. This unique spa offers a full tranquil experience with thermal pools, oversized saunas and an array of treatments. Still want more? Stay a night (or two) in the calming boutique hotel. sojospaclub.com
BEST LUXURY STAY
Whether you’re headed to Baltimore to visit the aquarium or to catch a game at Camden Yards, treat yourself to a grand stay at the Four Seasons Baltimore. Located on the Harbor East Waterfront, the hotel is a short walk to all of Baltimore’s favorite locations. fourseasons.com/baltimore
BEST FOR ENTERTAINMENT
No matter if you want to see a show, play a round of poker or simply dine at some of the area’s most luxurious restaurants, LIVE! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland is the place to do it all—and then some. Purchase a hotel package, get a spa treatment or enjoy a morning drag brunch, all without leaving the property. livecasinohotel.com
BEST THEATER EXPERIENCE
Considered the oldest working theater in the United States, the Fulton Theater in Lancaster is worth the drive to see a show. This summer, Fulton will play host to South Pacific and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, plus family shows including Junie B. Jones and Beauty and the Beast. thefulton.org
BEST FOR SPORTS LOVERS
Get outside this summer with a sports-focused trip to Valley Forge. Play a round of golf at one of their 50 pristine courses or try your hand at cricket, which gained popularity right in Valley Forge back in the 1800s. valleyforge.org
BEST FOR HISTORY BUFFS
If history is your thing, walk through New Jersey's Allaire Historic Village, a once bustling village that is now home to an interactive museum. Get hands-on experience as you stroll through a blacksmith shop, a bakery, a school and a general store and transport yourself back in time for the afternoon. allairevillage.org
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Take a historic trip through America’s history before getting the ultimate night sleep at Hotel AKA Alexandria. Just 20 minutes from Washington, D.C., AKA Alexandria offers a quiet reprieve from the hustle of D.C. while still providing everything you desire for an active vacation. stayaka.com/hotel-aka-alexandria
Photography by: BRANDS