10 points hotels to book near major cities for an easy, last-minute summer getaway
Whether your perfect summer escape includes sunset sails, mountain breezes, campfire s'mores or all of the aforementioned, you don't need to travel far to make it happen.
In fact, this summertime magic can be found within a few hours' drive of big cities like San Francisco, Chicago and Boston. From Cape Cod to the shores of the Columbia River, these hotels beckon with oysters on the deck, hikes through wine country and glamping on the coast. And with each being located within quick driving distance of a major U.S. city, not only are they magical places to call home for a few days, but they're delightfully convenient, too.
Read on for the 10 city-adjacent points hotels to book for a hassle-free summer getaway, no airport required. Because, as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald famously sang, summertime is about living easy.
Related: The best US glamping resorts for an outdoorsy summer getaway
Alila Ventana Big Sur
This romantic Big Sur resort offers a taste of Northern California at its very best. Picture rustic-chic cabin suites with towering ceilings and hot tubs, hikes through breathtaking coastal scenery and alfresco meals complete with hyper-local wines.
Located three hours from San Francisco, Alila Ventana invites you to "choose your own adventure" against the backdrop of ancient redwoods. This theme starts with where you stay, which could be a fireplace suite, an ocean view villa or a glamping tent under the stars. And during the day, guests can choose from an impressive roster of activities. These range from lively (falconry, axe-throwing, cold-plunging) to utterly relaxing (unwinding at the infinity pool).
And speaking of unwinding, the on-site Spa Alia is a destination in itself, with open-air cabanas and immersive treatments like Reiki healing and craniosacral therapy. As another plus, Alila Ventana is all-inclusive (with some exclusions, such as alcohol), which makes the experience that much more seamless.
Rates at Alila Ventana Big Sur start at $2,200 or 90,000 World of Hyatt points per night for double occupancy, including all meals and various activities.
Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge
With its safari-style tents and stellar settings across the country, Under Canvas has perfected the art of glamping. This summer marks the brand's debut in the Pacific Northwest, among the lush forests, shimmering waterfalls and cascading rapids of Washington's Columbia River Gorge — and, no surprise, the property was featured on our list of the most exciting hotel openings of the year.
A 90-minute drive from Portland, Oregon — and just under four hours from Seattle, for those who want to make a road trip of it — Under Canvas is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Guided by the on-site experience coordinator, guests spend their days hiking, biking, kayaking and white water rafting, or sipping their way through local wineries and breweries. (This region is known for its wine- and beer-tasting scene.)
Evenings bring live music and seasonal cuisine by the fire pit before guests retire to their tent accommodations. These glamping tents are expectedly cozy, with king-size beds, gas fireplaces and private bathrooms (each with a shower and flushing toilet, to be exact).
Rates at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge start at $249 or 22,125 World of Hyatt points per night. Please note that this resort is seasonal: The 2025 dates are May 29 to Oct. 27.
Paws Up, Montana
Ask anyone who's been to Montana and they'll tell you: The majestic mountains and open skies have to be seen to be believed. And this classic ranch resort gives guests a front-row seat to the magic of summer in Montana.
Located on a sweeping estate consisting of ranch, forest and river, Paws Up is just 30 minutes from Missoula, Montana, and within a four-hour drive of larger cities like Bozeman, Montana and Spokane, Washington. The resort offers a range of accommodations, including cabins, ranch homes and glamping tents, making it ideal for families and groups. Meanwhile, the adults-only sister resort, The Green O, offers utterly dreamy treehouses with floor-to-ceiling windows.
But the real reason to stay at Paws Up is the experiences, which will satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie, nature lover and cowboy. There are classic activities like horseback riding and fly-fishing, along with high-intensity pursuits like all-terrain-vehicle tours, ropes course challenges and cattle drives. Evenings bring sophisticated cuisine at the resort's several restaurants, which feature locally sourced ingredients, menus inspired by the surrounding wilds and, of course, fireside s'mores.
Rates at Paws Up are all-inclusive and priced by accommodation type (such as a one-bedroom home) and start at $2,588 per night. Rates include all meals and a daily selection of alcoholic beverages, as well as round-trip airport transfers. This property is available to book using Chase Ultimate Rewards points through The Edit by Chase Travel℠.
AutoCamp Cape Cod
Another top-notch glamping experience is found at Autocamp, which brings a retro vibe to your summer getaway. Located just two hours from Boston, AutoCamp Cape Cod offers classic Airstream accommodations that are decked out in a midcentury style without feeling kitschy.
In addition to the Airstreams, guests can choose between plush cabins and cozy glamping tents, all of which are equipped with kitchenettes, TVs and air conditioning (and heating, for those chilly Cape mornings). Most accommodations have private bathrooms, though some have shared facilities.
AutoCamp enjoys a prime location in Cape Cod's Falmouth, providing easy access to the beaches of Buzzards Bay and the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for day trips. There are also opportunities for kayaking, biking and wine tasting nearby. On property, AutoCamp curates a lovely summertime atmosphere with live music by the campfire, pop-up oyster tastings and stargazing with a local astronomer (with a NASA-grade telescope, no less). For meals, guests can visit the general store for provisions and grill kits, and there's an on-site restaurant with a delicious (albeit limited) menu.
Rates at AutoCamp Cape Cod start at $200 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
With its picture-perfect setting between lake and forest, this Ritz-Carlton resort feels worlds away from city life, but it's just a 90-minute drive from Atlanta. And for the road-trippers, the Georgia resort is under four hours from several cities, including Birmingham, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina.
Guests come to The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds for the setting, but stay for the amenities. There are five (yes, five) golf courses, all offering dramatic scenery and design by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio. There are a 30,000-square-foot spa (CBD-infused body wraps, anyone?) and a tennis center, as well as fishing, boating and water sports on the lake. And the accommodations are ultraplush, with amenities like private patios and Asprey bath products.
Little ones spend time at the resort's clubhouse, where activities like tent-building and scavenger hunts are offered. Meanwhile, parents can relax by the adults-only infinity pool or, in the evening, savor filet mignon and bourbon pairings at the elegant steakhouse.
Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee start at $670 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
White Barn Inn
Seaside cottages, sails through the harbor, lobsters on the deck ... there is nothing quite like a New England summer. And 90 minutes from Boston, the White Barn Inn serves up coastal elegance on a silver platter.
Located in the town of Kennebunkport, Maine — which offers plenty of eateries, shops and galleries to explore — the hotel has more than 150 years of history. As a result, it's filled with antique touches like gingham upholstery, oil paintings and fireside reading nooks. The cottage-core theme continues in the rooms and suites, but the design is anything but stuffy (think: elegant four-poster beds, private balconies and soaking tubs). Alternatively, guests can book one of the resort's private cottages that offer proximity to the peaceful outdoor pool.
Guests of the White Barn Inn spend their days exploring the coast via boat trips, lighthouse tours, hiking, fishing and canoeing. On the property, slower-speed activities like spa rituals and cooking classes beckon. And at the restaurant, guests are treated to elevated Maine cuisine paired with vino from the 7,000-plus-bottle wine cellar.
Rates at the White Barn Inn start at $945 per night. This property is available to book using Chase Ultimate Rewards points through The Edit by Chase Travel. It is also available to book using the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform.
Related: A beginners guide to visiting Acadia National Park
Miraval Austin
To escape the Texas heat, follow the cool breeze to this wellness resort in the Hill Country. Miraval Austin is located 30 minutes from Austin, but San Antonio, Houston and Dallas are all within a three-hour drive.
There's a lot to love about Miraval, starting with its immersive wellness program. Structured around specific themes (or intentions), the experiences range from floating meditation and aerial yoga to beekeeping, ropes course challenges and — it would seem — everything in between. There's also plenty to do beyond the spa: Guests can explore the surrounding landscape on foot, by bike or via kayak, or they can simply lounge by the infinity pool overlooking the rolling hills. And at mealtime, guests are treated to ultrafresh seasonal cuisine complete with sustainable wine courtesy of the resort's sommelier.
To make the Miraval experience feel effortless, a number of all-inclusive packages are offered. These include meals and select wellness activities, as well as a nightly credit to be applied to spa treatments.
Rates at Miraval Austin start at $940 or 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
With its pristine setting and oceanview suites, this St. Regis resort makes a strong case for Florida as a summer destination (even for the most skeptical). The hotel opened in 2024 and brought a heavy dose of luxury to the Gulf Coast — specifically, Longboat Key, which is just over an hour's drive from Tampa and under three hours from Orlando. A summer getaway here offers all the elegance but at significantly lower rates, including a number of packages through Marriott Bonvoy.
Related: A 500,000-gallon snorkeling lagoon and Champagne at the press of a button: A review of the new St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Set on an 18-acre beachfront estate, the St. Regis is a true tropical playground. You'll find a white sand beach, a lazy river, a snorkeling lagoon and an adults-only Cabana club in partnership with Vilebrequin. (Here, everything from the butler uniform to the cocktails is inspired by the brand.) Guests also have a 20,000-square-foot spa, elevated dining and butler service at their disposal.
Another plus: The St. Regis Longboat Key is very family-friendly, with a clubhouse, wildlife education and activities for little ones up to teenagers.
Rates at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort start at $730 or 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Troutbeck
This countryside resort is one of the best in New York's Hudson Valley, where rolling hills and cultural riches are found just two hours from New York City.
Located on a 250-acre estate in the town of Amenia, Troutbeck has attracted artists and dignitaries for centuries — among them Henry David Thoreau and Theodore Roosevelt. This fact comes as no surprise, as the setting is nothing short of idyllic (picture stone cottages, walled gardens and a footbridge over a babbling brook). Inside, Troutbeck's vintage charm is on full display with original wood paneling, velvet armchairs and roaring fireplaces.
Troutbeck is all about unwinding in style, whether it's cocktails by the outdoor pool or yoga in the sun-soaked barn. Many guests come to Troutbeck for the wellness offerings, which range from astrology readings and sound baths to forest bathing and botany facials. And at mealtime, hyperlocal cuisine takes center stage thanks to chef Vincent Gilberti, who is a Hudson Valley local.
Rates at Troutbeck start at $550 per night. This hotel is available to book using the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts platform.
Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection
For Midwesterners, summer is synonymous with Lake Michigan — and this waterfront resort in Michigan is the perfect place to experience lake life. The Inn at Bay Harbor is a longer drive (four hours from Detroit and over five from Chicago) compared to other properties on this list, but the private beach and lake view accommodations make it worth the trip.
Located on peaceful Little Traverse Bay, the Inn at Bay Harbor offers amenities aplenty, starting with its sprawling setting. There are a sandy beach dotted with red-and-white striped cabanas, golf courses, lawn games and an outdoor pool, all within the property's manicured grounds. Factor in the serene spa and waterfront dining, and it's easy to see why guests may happily spend all their time at the resort.
The surrounding area offers tons to do as well, from vineyard-hopping through Michigan's lush wine country to e-biking along lakefront trails. The resort's variety of accommodations are another plus: These range from standard rooms to private cottages that sleep up to eight.
Rates at the Inn at Bay Harbor, Autograph Collection start at $494 per night. Points rates for this property are not currently available on Marriott's website.
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