In the interest of full disclosure … Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of the 2 day weekend. Even the long 3 day one needs re-examined. I recently read an article that made the case for a 5 day weekend or would that be a 2 day work week? https://5dayweekend.com/ Forbes magazine has long lobbied for the 3 day weekend https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelritlop/2017/04/20/why-every-weekend-should-be-a-three-day-weekend
So, there you have it – if it’s written someplace then it has to be true! Right?? Or at least smack of scientific research and validation?
My suggestion is that no matter how many days you decide to cram into your weekend, you leave early on the last day that you are working. Last day of work is Thursday, leave by 3pm at the latest – come in early if you must and / or skip lunch – just leave before the evening rush starts. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite spots for that “weekend” getaway. They all also have a hint of romance and plenty of room to misbehave “out of town” to them!
Santa Barbara. Yes, we have kiddos here so this is a no brainer for us. Our routine is to fly into LAX, rent a car and drive up the PCH through Malibu. There is always a stop at Geoffreys for lunch or dinner. https://www.geoffreysmalibu.com/ Let me just horn in here and share that my fave salad here is the Chilled Lobster Salad with an equally chilled Savignon Blanc….just sayin’ while we watch the Dolphins play in the water below…..
Our go to hotel is the Four Seasons Biltmore – book through Classic Travel www.classictravel.com for Virtuoso benefits. If this is booked or the rates are sky high we look at the Belmond El Encanto – also booked through Classic Travel or The Cliffhouse Inn https://www.cliffhouseinn.com/ about 10 miles south of Santa Barbara. I’ve been visiting this iconic hotel for 100 years. Always impeccable service…lush grounds and amazing Cosmopolitans! Enough said.
Palm Springs. Our favorite time to visit is Fall and Spring. Summer is just too hot although there are great hotel deals to be found during this time. Our favorite hotel is the Colony Palms Hotel right in old Palm Springs https://colonypalmshotel.com/ Right across the street is our favorite restaurant, Copleys – https://www.copleyspalmsprings.com/ – once Cary Grant’s Home – reserve a courtyard table. Nothing better than cocktails under a velvety sky in the desert. Again, this has been a fave for 100 years. Always consistent – fabulous service – oldtime glamour.
New York City. Once a year we brave New York – close friends live in Brooklyn and they always have a great new restaurant to try. Our favorite hotel was the Ritz Carlton Battery Park but alas it is no longer a Ritz. We are in the process of finding a new go to hotel. 1 or 2 theater evenings and we are ready to return to the altitude of Vail and Denver.
Florida. Another escape from cold weather. We often take our clubs and head to a golf resort like the Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club south of Orlando https://www.bayhill.com/ where we can always find great golf packages particularly in shoulder season. And, the islands are so much fun to explore …. I really want this Manatee mail box here at home….who’s with me??!!!
Vancouver area. I am including Whistler in this. Weather is pretty nice year round and there are great hotels and restaurants Whistler is about a 90 minute drive north. In Vancouver, we like the Fairmont Waterfront and in Whistler the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler – all booked through Classic Travel
Our East Coast friends are all 5 day weekend fans and tend to take the quick trip to London, Paris and Venice – Leave after work on a Wednesday, arrive on a Thursday morning and home on a Monday. For a shorter trip, they head to Maine or Bermuda.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GETAWAY? HOW LONG IS YOUR WEEKEND?
Sneaking Away,
