Held annually on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day has come to mark the unofficial start of summer.
As spring fades and temperatures climb, the long weekend is the perfect excuse to explore the landscapes and cities closer to home. From lounging poolside at an East Coast yacht club to sipping your way through a West Coast wine festival, discover our top picks for luxury Memorial Day weekend getaways in the US.
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Balboa Bay Resort
Newport Beach, CaliforniaFor a wine-filled weekend, head to Newport Beach, California and check in to Balboa Bay Resort for the 20th Annual Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival, taking place May 23–25. Set along the resort’s picturesque waterfront, the three-day celebration features over 50 premium wineries and distributors, a Veuve Clicquot champagne brunch, curated wine dinners and live music.
A standout experience is the four-course dinner by Executive Chef Prabeen Prathapan, with wine pairings and insights from guest speaker Jean-Charles Boisset, French vintner and organic farming advocate. For a truly elevated stay, book the Presidential Suite: a 3,000-sq-ft, two-bedroom suite with three balconies, a full wet bar and sweeping views of Newport Bay.
Price
Presidential Suite from $2,505 per night
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Montauk Yacht Club
Montauk, New YorkAfter a successful soft launch last summer season, Montauk Yacht Club is officially reopening just in time for those looking to head east for Memorial Day Weekend. To mark the occasion, the iconic marina has teamed up with Michael Kors to debut the Michael Kors x Montauk Yacht Club Jet Set package.
Guests who book the package will receive a Bedford Travel Signature Logo Stripe Weekender Bag upon check-in. The experience also includes a chef’s table dinner at the Ocean Club restaurant by Chef Jarad McCarroll, a massage at the resort’s floating cabana spa and a sunset cruise aboard the club’s X Shore electric boat.
[See more: Dom Pérignon Heads to the Hamptons for Champagne Unveiling]
Price
Michale Kors hotel package from $1,200 per night
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The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
Miami, FloridaFor a last-minute Memorial Day escape, The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour is a fabulous family-friendly choice. Set on the northern tip of Miami Beach between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, the hotel offers sun-soaked luxury in a prime location. The Ritz-Carlton Suite on the 18th-floor encourages you to settle in and make yourself at home, with four ocean-facing terraces, a six-person movie theater and a formal dining room for entertaining.
Families can make use of the hotel’s complimentary access to Bal Harbour Waterfront Park, hop on beach cruisers for coastal bike rides, or explore Miami’s art scene with free access to top cultural institutions and private collection tours. Dogs are welcome too, with thoughtful pet amenities and a brand-new oceanfront dog park perfect for relaxed seaside strolls.
Price
Presidential Suite from $10,200 per night
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Loews Regency New York Hotel
New York, New YorkNew York is always a good idea, especially when you have a long weekend to dive into the city’s cultural landmarks. In exciting news for art buffs, Loews Regency New York on the Upper East Side is offering exclusive access to The Met through its enhanced Local by Loews Hotels programming. Guests are invited to join intimate, expert-led tours of the museum’s renowned collection, curated and guided by The Met’s own educators.
The next tour, taking place on Wednesday, May 21, just ahead of the holiday weekend, focuses on American art, granting guests after-hours access to The Met’s celebrated American Wing. Expect a deeper look at decorative arts, sculpture, paintings, and historic interiors, all with the rare luxury of exploring the museum after it closes to the public.
Price
The Regency Residence from $4,000 per night
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The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
Hot Springs, VirginiaNestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa is a quintessential mountain escape, perfect for a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Set on 2,000 historic acres, the resort invites guests to unwind in the iconic Warm Springs Pools or spend the weekend on one of its two championship golf courses.
For those seeking a more action-packed itinerary, there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun. Little ones will love the Equestrian Center, falconry experiences, mountain biking trails, water slides and lazy rivers. Over Memorial Day, the resort hosts special programming including a Red, White & Blue Fun Run, themed crafts, cookie decorating, golf clinics and a dazzling fireworks display over the mountains.
Price
Luxury Presidents Suite from $2,389 per night
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Chatham Bars Inn
Cape Cod, MassachusettsFor those looking to soft-launch into a classic Americana summer, Cape Cod is an ideal Memorial Day destination and Chatham Bars Inn is its crown jewel. Opened in 1914 and beautifully restored, the resort blends New England heritage with modern comforts, from spa suites and private cottages to butler service and discreet hospitality.
The long weekend marks the start of sailing season and guests can take to the water aboard the inn’s world-class fleet. Options include charters to Nantucket, fishing excursions, or a private cruise on the Shooting Star, a custom vessel designed by Billy Joel. Just 10 minutes from Chatham Municipal Airport, a favorite for private aviation, the inn offers seamless arrivals, luggage handling and in-room check-in, making it easy to ease into summer with privacy, polish, and plenty of salt air.
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The Wauwinet
Nantucket, MassachusettsMemorial Day weekend marks the start of the iconic Figawi Race, a lively sailing regatta that begins in Hyannis and ends in Nantucket, drawing adventurous participants and curious spectators alike to the island’s shores.
For a romantic, adults-only weekend, check into The Wauwinet. Set between the Atlantic Ocean and Nantucket Bay, it is the island’s only Relais & Châteaux property. Guests can stroll along private beaches, explore the island on complimentary bicycles, or get active with kayaking and tennis. The hotel’s remote location on the northeastern tip of the island also offers easy access to Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and Great Point Lighthouse, where scenic trails and windswept coastal landscapes showcase the quiet beauty of Nantucket.
Price
Anchorage House from $5,295 per night
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Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Lanai City, HawaiiWith a large military population, Memorial Day is widely celebrated in Hawaii. For a taste of laid-back luxury, check into Four Seasons Resort Lanai, where live music and culinary events set the tone for a sun-soaked, far-flung escape.
Special Memorial Day highlights include brunch with a build-your-own mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, paired with live music from local performers. On Sunday, May 25, the resort will host its Chefs & Brews event, featuring wood-fired pizzas from Maui’s Chef Jeff Scheer and pours from local breweries. For a refined affair, head to the adults-only sister property, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, for a special Memorial Day afternoon tea service featuring a curated selection of teas and seasonal bites.
For an ultra-luxury getaway, book the Alii Royal Suite, where you’ll find entertaining spaces aplenty, from the smart dining room and the library to the formal sitting area and the three open-air lanais. The floor-to-ceiling windows make for a perfect spinner dolphin look-out spot, so be sure to make use of the suite’s binocular tripods.
Price
Alii Royal Suite from $25,000 per night
