Family vacations are fun, romantic rendezvous (without the kids!) are downright dreamy, but we can’t stress enough the importance of a girls’ trip once in a while, when you and your besties leave everybody behind, get out of town and have a few days together to catch up, unwind, and just have a fabulous time together. Sound good? Here are five girls’ getaway ideas within driving distance you can plan right now.
The Hamptons
If you and your pals are looking to catch up on sleep, well, this trip might not be for you, but if you could use a good dose of beach time, bar-hopping, and a hip Hamptons crowd, white-hot Montauk is your place. Book some rooms at the glam Gurney’s, with ocean views, a 2,000-foot private beach, five bars and restaurants (including a seaside Scarpetta outpost) and a killer spa complete with Roman baths and Russian steam room. For something a bit more casual (but still super chic), try Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, which provides guests with bikes and beach shuttles and has a lively cocktail scene on its outdoor deck.
The Jersey Shore
Chances are you’ve been to the Jersey Shore before (and if you haven’t, who are you?), but for something new, fun, and fresh, try the Bungalow Hotel in Long Branch. The beach-mod boutique beach hotel has a South Beach feel without the plane-ticket price, and gives guests access to the private LeClub Beach Club for a fee along with technologically tricked-out rooms. While you’re there, hit up the nearby Avenue restaurant, a sexy Parisian-style brasserie with a lavish lounge and huge bar. If you and your gals are music fans, consider a jaunt to Asbury Park, the updated shore town that’s home to hip music venues and a shiny new nightlife scene. In that case, you’ll want to stay at the funky Asbury Hotel, which has a packed summer schedule of DJ sets, rooftop movie nights, and morning yoga.
The Poconos
OK, before you write off the Poconos as full of dated hotels with heart-shaped bath tubs, we’re here to tell you: Times have changed and the mountain resort town is now the perfect place of a spa weekend. Definitely look at The Lodge at Woodloch, a restful resort with a grand onsite spa. In addition to 27 treatment rooms for facials, massages, and body treatments, you’ll find fireplace lounges, saunas, steam rooms and an Aqua Garden with soaking pools with heated hydromassage water walls, an outdoor Whirlpool, and plenty of fitness classes. When you’re not getting your spa on, there’s plenty else to fill your day, including hiking, biking, kayaking, cooking classes, and our favorite: a lesson in wine-and chocolate pairing. Hey, it’s educational!
Tennis Camp
Sports camps aren’t just for kids. At Total Tennis, which happens to be the Northeast’s only tennis camp, you can disconnect at a Catskills lodge while upping your game on the court. Depending on your level – and how much you want to play – a typical day might be filled with private lessons, group instruction, free play, and tournaments, with meals mixed in and evening activities later on. And don’t worry, the bar opens every night at 6:30 ... just in case you want to celebrate your serious new serve.
Atlantic City
Whether or not you’re a gambler, AC is one of our favorite destinations for a girls’ trip with plenty of restaurants, bars, beach activities, and high-end hotels. You can’t go wrong with the Water Club, probably the most upscale resort in all of Atlantic City, and one of the more serene spots for a stay you’ll find down there, perfect for relaxing and recharging. The pool is ony open to hotel guests 21 and over and also has its own private spa and gym. If you and your posse are looking to party, you’ll probably want to try the connected Borgata – with rooms that can sleep up to eight people, a spirited scene at its new outdoor pool (also 21 and up) and lots of fab fine dining restaurants including Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck American Grille, and Old Homestead ... all perfect for your Rat Pack weekend.
