The Best Places for a Staycation, According to People Who Travel for a Living

“A wellness weekend in New York City. We’ll all need it after this! I’d stay at the Wythe in Williamsburg, and go to Modo for a yoga class and The Bathhouse for a soak (and a glass of wine). Then, I’d head into Manhattan and stop at The Well for some acupuncture, and Inscape for a guided meditation—and back to Williamsburg for a boogie on the light-up dance floor at Night Moves. The next morning-ish, a run in Prospect Park and brunch at Carthage Must be Destroyed. The perfect weekend!” —Ben Pundole, Vice President of Brand Experience, Edition Hotels

“I stay at Khayelitsha Home, a fairy tale home I designed and built for my family and friends in the special, sacred area of Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe,” says Beks Ndlovu, founder and CEO of African Bush Camps. It’s no surprise, then, that the safari operator, which oversees 15 tented camps and lodges throughout Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia, caters to families, along with couples, solo, and adventure travelers.

“For me, a staycation means swimming to a restaurant down the coast called Da Adolfo, having an amazing grilled fish with a chilled bottle of wine, staying on the beach till the last rays of sun, and taking a ferry boat back to Positano. Then, while I’m still in a bathing suit, I’ll go and have a drink on the beach at the Buca di Bacco bar, followed by a delicious dinner at Le Tre Sorelle on the beach—without changing. And only then, with the salt still on my back, will I return home, after one last drink at Franco’s, our new bar.” —Antonio Sersale, Owner, Le Sirenuse

“The drive to Strawberry Hill from GoldenEye via Buff Bay is one of my favorite road trips. It takes you through the countryside and into the Blue Mountains, and is a really special way to experience Jamaica since you get to stop by all of the little food vendors along the way. You can always meet interesting characters, watch them grind and make coffee from their own fields while you sip a fresh cup, snack on freshly picked fruit, and buy local spices like nutmeg and pimento seeds. At times, we’ll pull over just to check out the view. In terms of activities, I like to raft on the Rio Grande in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Rafting on the Rio Grande is something you should definitely do; it’s an absolutely beautiful experience. The actor Errol Flynn was very involved in it. It’s a gentle journey down the river, where you can discover various swimming holes. My favorite tip is to call ahead and order lunch from a woman named Melinda who has a set-up with incredible food right on the riverbank. Chris’s Cook Shop in the heart of Oracabessa has been serving Jamaican specialties for over 18 years and is known for its curry goat. What I love most about it is that you get to interact with the locals and really get into the vibe of the community.” —Chris Blackwell, Founder, Island Outpost

“My family has had a place on the Chesapeake Bay for decades. It’s an amazing escape that’s not terribly far from where we live in northern Virginia. I love taking boat rides, relaxing on the porch, and cooking for my family. When we do go out, we have a favorite spot across the bay in St. Michaels, called The Crab Claw.” —Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton

“Provincetown has something for everyone. My ideal day there starts with breakfast at Liz’s Cafe, followed by a bike ride along the dunes of the National Seashore, lunch on the top deck at Pepe’s Wharf overlooking the harbor (with a Bloody Mary in hand), then shopping along Commercial Street, hitting Map and Loveland, then onto Tea Dance at The Boatslip, dinner at Joon Bar & Kitchen, and a nightcap at Harbor Lounge. Oh, I cannot wait for this day to come soon.” —David Bowd, CEO, Salt Hotels

“My home is an entire 2,000-acre estate, so there are hundreds of beautiful places on it. One is this little private lake where my kids and grandkids love to play, swim, and find little turtles and lizards.” —Francis Ford Coppola, director and hotelier

“I base myself in Machu Picchu Pueblo to explore Incan remains and to learn about the area’s incredible biodiversity while enjoying solitude, which is a very scarce commodity,” says José Koechlin von Stein, founder of Inkaterra. With properties scattered throughout Peru, the brand, which is partnered with National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, has been promoting sustainable tourism throughout the country for more than 40 years.

“Hermanus has always been a very special place for my family. Birkenhead House was our seaside holiday home and it’s just a 90-minute drive from our home in Cape Town. My husband Phil and I used to take long walks along Grotto Beach. Early in the mornings, it’s untouched by humans with seagulls swooping, waves lapping the sand, and whales breaching in the bay. It holds a very romantic place in my heart—there’s nothing quite like the rejuvenating air of Hermanus, and there’s just so much to do. You can walk the seemingly endless cliff path; visit the fabulous wine estates of the Hemel en Aarde Valley such as Hamilton Russell Vineyards; play golf at Arabella Hotel and Spa; watch whales; go shark cage diving; or go birdwatching in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. We have so many fond memories of the region.” —Liz Biden, Founder and CEO, The Royal Portfolio

“Staying in London is quite a treat, as I’m lucky enough to travel much of the time, either to my studio in New York or across the world to our projects. So when I do stay in London, I have a few set places and routines I like to stick to. Firstly, I like to have breakfast at Hally’s, which is in Parsons Green, where I live, with my partner, Jonathan. After, we might head into town and do some shopping. I like Drake’s as they have beautifully printed scarves, knitted ties, and well-cut suits. Lunch tends to be at Scott’s, which was the first fine dining restaurant I designed and the first time I worked with Caprice Holdings, who have since been long-standing clients. I always get the Dover sole and rosé. Sundays will start slowly with the papers and an espresso in bed, then perhaps a walk to the walled garden at Fulham Palace. I love coming here; it’s so calming, and I’m getting into gardening more, so I like to keep up-to-date with planting. Jonathan and I might visit the Chelsea Pig for some simple, British food before heading home and enjoying a film with a flapjack in the evening.” —Martin Brudnizki, Founder, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio

“I love a staycation in my adopted hometown of Walland, Tennessee. It’s peaceful, surrounded by lovely nature, and it leads you right into the gorgeous Smoky Mountains. A bike ride through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must—the Cades Cove loop is a favorite for all ages. I recommend doing an early Saturday or Wednesday morning ride, followed by an afternoon of paddleboarding around Chilhowee Lake.” —Mary Celeste Beall, owner, Blackberry Farm

“I like, in no particular order: the Norval Foundation; walking the Pipe Track on the slopes of Table Mountain; Oranjezicht City Farm Market; second-hand book shopping on Long Street; Burrata for pizzas; Willoughby & Co. for sushi at the V&A Waterfront—order a 5×5; Olympia Cafe in Kalk Bay (order the moules); eat your way up Bree Street in the city center at True Italic, La Tête, Locanda at Villa 47, Chefs Warehouse and Canteen, Bocca, and Jason Bakery (for Nutella-filled doughssants), and don’t forget to swing by the iconic ladies’ Habits Boutique in Claremont—you’ll be so glad you did.” —Nicky Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO, Angama Mara

“My family has been lucky enough to have a home in Salcombe for many years, so it’s full of fond memories from childhood, but I love it just as much now, if not more, than I did then. I love to take bracing coastal walks and visit the many great little pubs that dot the town (including The Ferry Inn, The Kings Arms, The Fortescue Inn, Pigs Nose Inn—pretty fantastic names and worth a visit). For food, check out The Winking Prawn, a charming beach cafe and ideal spot to visit with family and friends. We love to take our daughter to explore the area’s many estuaries and play around on some of the small beaches, and it’s an easy train ride from London and full of beauty, charm, and character—so a most worthy escape.” —Tom Marchant, Owner and Co-founder, Black Tomato

“My staycation is a drive to Santa Barbara. I love the paella and octopus at Loquita, and The Lark is a very ‘in’ restaurant in the Funk Zone district. You can enjoy an afternoon Champagne on the deck of the lovely Belmond El Encanto Hotel, or take in lunch on the terrace of the Rosewood Miramar Beach for an absolutely lovely experience—and a likely Oprah sighting.” —Leslie Fambrini, President, Personalized Travel Consultants, Inc.

“I love Vancouver Island, not for any particular pubs or restaurants, but for the wide-open spaces, dramatic views, wildlife, and generally dramatic landscapes. Whether I’m on vacation at one of my favorite lodges or renting a basic cabin for a personal work retreat, it never fails to astound me.” —Marc Télio, Founder and President, Entrée Destinations

“I love having a long lunch with family and friends on a beautiful breezy day at La Lucciola, in Seminyak, Bali, then heading up to Bambu Indah in Ubud for a lazy afternoon with my family in the natural pools before checking into one of their eco-lodges. The architecture is a mix of bamboo buildings and antique Javanese teak wood.” —Ronald Akili, Co-founder and CEO, Potato Head Family