Published on June 1, 2024
This year, everyone is looking forward to summer vacation.
With an estimated 118 million Americans on the road (or in the air) this summer, it’s time to start planning your summer getaway. But if you’re still not sure where you’re heading, don’t worry: Benchmark’s properties are coast to coast. Whether you’re seeking to sample local flavors or new cultures—and, of course, luxury Benchmark accommodations—there’s a property waiting to make your summer one to remember.
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In the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, you’ll find the Flamingo Resort & Spa—a mid-century modern marvel with 21st-century amenities. You’ll enjoy kicking your feet up in one of its recently renovated rooms (or getting them massaged at the on-site spa). The resort offers daily meditation and yoga classes, but if you’d rather go with your own flow, it has a fully appointed gym available. And if it’s nightlife you’re after, you won’t even need to leave the grounds: The Vintage Space music lounge is known for its live music, comedy sets and classic cocktails. But that’s not to say you should miss out on what Sonoma has to offer—it’s home to over 425 wineries, bay-area kayaking and the breathtaking Sonoma Botanical Gardens. Find inspiration in the artists that have—and once called—Sonoma County home. At Jack London State Historic Park, where the famed author made his residence, special programming like the IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild™ event reflects the transformative al fresco programming you’ll find.
No one does historic charm quite like New Orleans. And no one does charming accommodations quite like The Old No. 77 Hotel. Tucked away just outside the French Quarter, The Old No. 77 is for travelers who want to experience New Orleans at its best. The hotel’s rental bike program makes it easy to explore the city, and you’re given exclusive access to some of New Orleans’ top-rated tours—including a complimentary tour and tasting at small-batch distillery Seven Three Distilling Co. Of course, you’re never far from anything: Your room is just a short walk to some of the country’s best jazz clubs, Parisian-inspired cafes (beignets, anyone?) and guided tours of the region’s breathtaking bayous.
Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the dock at waterfront sanctuary Boston Harbor Hotel. The resort (which has been ranked as both a Forbes Five-Star & AAA Five Diamond accommodation) promises something for everyone. Three on-site restaurants offer everything from high-noon tea to smoky nightcaps, and you can enjoy an exclusive barrel-tasting experience at its Rowes Wharf Bar, led by a spirits expert. If you’re looking to soak in the sunshine, stroll along the Boston Harbor or through the Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. And, of course, you’ll be just steps away from the daily sunset and mid-day sailing tours that leave the Boston Harbor.
Hotel Lucia can be best described in just two words: quintessentially Portland. Nestled in the blocks between the Willamette River and Portland’s downtown hub, Hotel Lucia’s design is a masterclass in blending city and nature. You can tap into your artistic side with a self-guided tour of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly’s onsite collection or use the hotel’s rental bike program to explore the nearby Portland Art Museum and flurry of local theaters. And when you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can expect to find Portland’s quirk in local restaurants: Check out QuarterWorld, a full-service restaurant that boasts 60+ arcade games and over 30 pinball machines, or Raven’s Manor, an Edgar Allen Poe-inspired cocktail bar.
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