Carrie Jensen

I want to be where the people are … oh wait, no, I don’t! About an hour and a half north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos trades sprawling resorts and beach clubs for dirt roads, art galleries, and a quieter rhythm. Tucked away along the Pacific, Villa Santa Cruz hits a rare sweet spot: the intimacy and personality of a 23-room boutique hotel with the space and amenities of a full-service luxury resort. Days can be spent horseback riding along the beach, wandering through acres of gardens, lounging by one of the many pools, dining with your feet in the sand, or retreating to the brand-new spa and wellness center. Yet despite all there is to do, privacy comes naturally here. It offers a different side of Baja than Cabo that’s quieter, more creative, and more connected to the local culture. The service is warm, genuine, and attentive. It’s particularly well suited to couples, honeymoons, and babymoons, while multiple two-bedroom villas and plenty of room to roam make it equally appealing for families with older children.

I visited Hotel Yellowstone for its first winter season and was completely taken by the beauty around me. The property sits perched above the rugged Snake River Valley with the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons enveloping you at every turn. Days spent skiing were balanced by restorative moments back at the hotel with long spa sessions, quiet mornings, and evenings by the fire in our room. Cue the nervous system reset! For a winter ski trip that also prioritizes rest, privacy, and a quieter way to celebrate the festive season, Hotel Yellowstone felt exactly right.

With a deep commitment to preserving the natural beauty that surrounds it, The Dunlin captures the magic of the Lowcountry — peaceful, whimsical and unforgettable. You’ll be transported to a seaside sanctuary where your days stretch endlessly, filled with barefoot adventures, bike rides and starlit skies. The stillness here is sweet and unhurried — rocking chairs creak on screened-in porches, the scent of salt lingers in the air and birds dive gracefully into the marsh as the wind whispers through the seagrass. It’s a place where simplicity reigns, where afternoons are best spent fishing, kayaking, spotting dolphins or sipping sweet tea as the sun melts into another golden evening.

Located on 250 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu, Calamigos Guest Ranch is the ideal staycation for families looking to escape the city. Adventure and family values are at the heart of this ranch, which has been owned by the same family for five generations and was once a children’s summer camp in the 1940s. The name Calamigos means “come as my brother, come as my friend,” which perfectly captures the warm, unpretentious spirit of this luxurious hideaway. Blending rustic charm with refined comfort, the ranch feels like California’s ultimate playground—think summer camp nostalgia with an elevated twist. This woodsy escape boasts three outdoor pools, two pickleball courts, bocce ball, multiple lawns, a spa, and access to hiking trails. One of the most coveted perks? Entry to a private beach club reserved exclusively for resort guests and members—because, let’s face it, no one really wants to decide between mountains or beach!