For us, luxury holidays tend to start with the letters U, S and A. Why? Because there are very few places on earth where you can ski down snow topped mountains one day, drive through sunbaked valleys the next and relax on bohemian beaches along the Golden Coast the day after – all in total opulence. The USA never does things by halves and the same mantra applies to their hotels. From Florida beach houses complete with palm-shaded hammocks to high-rise havens overlooking New York’s iconic skyline, enjoy some serious indulgence on one of our USA luxury holidays. If you’re yearning to take a bite out of the Big Apple, there is no more extravagant way to do so than by air. Fly over the Statue of Liberty and circle round Manhattan Island on an exciting helicopter ride or, if the need for speed calls, head up state in a classic Cadillac to Hudson. Stay in retro hotels, which were once candle factories and cinemas, and explore the up-and-coming city locals call the Brooklyn of New York State.
For total luxury, there is no place more fitting than Los Angeles. From Beverly Hills and Malibu to Huntingdon Beach and Downtown, the city screams (or more likely nonchalantly utters) cool and cultured modernism. For any art and architecture aficionados, the neighbouring Palm Springs is not to be missed either. Follow Angelinos to their boho bolt hole, amble round the city’s Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, tour interiors of contemporary private homes with a Palm Springs design expert, and marvel at David Cerný’s public art installations from the Kimpton Rowan rooftop bar above.
Not all USA luxury holidays have to start and end in its cosmopolitan cities, however. If the siren song of sea and sand is calling, say aloha to the USA’s often forgotten 50th state, Hawaii. If it’s a spot of adventure you’re after, you can dive into its underwater metropolis of submerged volcanic calderas and learn the ancient art of ‘wave gliding’. Or, if you’re in the mood for more sedate activities, you can walk along Kohala’s sandy shores, relax in the spa and gardens of your waterfront resort and indulge in deliciously fresh poke bowls topped with Maui onions and limu kohu (a type of seaweed endemic to Hawaii’s coasts).
One thing you can guarantee with USA luxury holidays is that your tastebuds won’t be spared. Practically every city has their own dish. Philadelphia has cheese steaks, Chicago champions pizza pies, San Francisco has cioppino and sourdough… and that’s just to name a few. The culinary creativity is endless and boy, are their city slick culinarians proud of it. So, whether you’re hankering after soulful Southern barbecue or gourmet gastronomy atop rotating rooftops, you can be sure that the country’s friendly citizens, as well as our clued-up local Concierges, will be on hand to show you that the USA is much more than just burgers and fries.