This week, we're launching Gothamist's travel content, Gothamist Getaways. Four times a year, we'll have a week of posts featuring looks at travel, food, products and tips, near and far, for making your trips more pleasurable. So enjoy and let us know if you have any hints for us—email travel@gothamist.com.
This winter has been way too long. Here are three spring break destinations if you need an emergency dose of Vitamin D.
Palm Springs
Stay at the The Ace Hotel, sleep in, and order the surprisingly affordable room service for breakfast along with a paper. Hang out in front of your gas fireplace in the private patio attached to your room for the morning, easing into the sunny California day.
When you're ready to face the outside world, sport your jorts and a bikini top, read trashy magazines and drink fancy cocktails by one of the hotel's two awesome pools. Though we barely left the hotel on our last stay, those looking for a little adventure can take a hike in nearby-ish Joshua Tree or take a tour of the city's best modernist architecture on one of the hotel's bikes.
Miami
Check into The Standard Hotel + Spa for a bit of detoxing at the amazing spa, then retox with fried chicken at YardBird.
The fire pit at The Standard (Gothamist)
Follow up with nightcaps at Broken Shaker bar at the Freehand, which also affordable private and hostel-style rooms for those on a budget. Here are other ways to enjoy Miami without being a douchebag.
Merida
Is Tulum too overexposed? Well, for something more low key in the Yucatan, try Merida.
Casa Mexilio is a Venetian-inspired townhouse nestled into an unassuming backstreet close to, but just out of the bustling centro historico. Originally built by a wealthy architect and hacienda owner for his family, this house dates to the late nineteenth century, and it’s got the furnishings to match. There’s also a lot of household history: for instance, in 1936, Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas stayed here while hammering out the details of just how to appropriate the vast land holdings of the plantation owners for the state.
Inside Casa Mexilio
Combine a trip to this university-oriented city with a jaunt to the sleepy fishing village of Celestún, which will be sure to please any New Yorker looking for a relatively undiscovered slice of quiet along the coast.
