When I was in college I looked forward to being able to ditch classes and get away to someplace with hot sun, lots of sand and big waves. As an adult, I STILL look forward to all of those (minus ditching the classes). It got me to thinking….why should Spring Break on be for the 20-something crowd? You and I deserve a getaway from all that life throws at us each winter too.
Here are my TOP 9 picks for an adult spring break
1. Treasure Beach
- Paynes Bay, Barbados
Situated on the island’s coveted platinum west coast, Treasure Beach’s intimate, 34-room, adults-only retreat acts as the ultimate epicurean escape. Embark on a culinary journey with award-winning Chef Javon Cummins at Tapestry Restaurant, where you’ll feast on locally-inspired cuisine – think creole flying fish, curry chicken, and fresh seafood stew. Make your way to The Wine Cellar for a tasting with the property’s resident sommelier, and channel the gourmet chef of your dreams with the Art of Food Styling courses where you’ll learn how to plate to perfection (this will come in handy at your next dinner party.) Between the innovative craft cocktails served at the Batik Bar and the striking island view from your suite’s private balcony, you’ll find it easy to settle into this sophisticated spring break getaway.
Copyright: Jeff Herron Photography, Inc.
2. Marriott Stanton South Beach
- Miami Beach, Florida
This spring break embrace Miami Beach’s quieter side by heading to Stanton South Beach for a different kind of beachside vacation. Located in the exclusive South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach, away from all the crowds yet close to all the city action, this property features direct beach access, two pools overlooking the beautiful ocean, an intimate spa, and new fitness center, but it’s the two on-property restaurants that complete the experience. Azabu Miami Beach, an authentic Japanese Robata restaurant, and Lolo’s Surf Cantina, a Baja-inspired Mexican eatery, provide guests delicious cuisine, amazing happy hour specials, and so much more. Plus, guests can also enjoy a unique amenity from the comfort of their rooms, an in-room Sake tasting. Not known to many, the In-Room Sake Tastings, offered through Marriott Rewards, transport guests to the land of the rising sun with a Japanese experience like no other. During this intimate sake experience, guests are treated to three different sakes, either hot, cold, or a combination of both, complemented by two sushi rolls, hand selected by Azabu Miami Beach’s sushi chef.
Soufriere, St. Lucia; Jade Mountain at Anse Chastenet Resort, where each suite has a view of the Pitons
3. Jade Mountain Resort
- St. Lucia
Spring break doesn’t always have to include 24-hour booze-a-thons or midnight stumbles (as fun as those both can be). Whether you’re planning a lavish final semester last hurrah or in need of a getaway that doesn’t include rowdy teens, head on over to St. Lucia’s famed Jade Mountain Resort for a refreshingly wine-focused vacation. With the resorts “Wine Weekend with Chef Allen Susser & The World Wine Guys” from April 4-7, travelers will enjoy a weekend filled with upscale culinary offerings. Each evening guests will experience the best of the resorts wines from around the world while served alongside a decadent dinner featuring fresh produce from the resorts Emerald Estate Organic Farm. From a rum tasting under the stars to a sparkling brunch, travelers will take their Spring Break getaway to a whole new level. For more information email jademountain@ansechastanet.com for the full program or call (800) 223-1108.
4. Art Ovation Hotel
- Sarasota, Florida
Adults looking to get creative on their spring break should look no further than Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota, FL. The arts-centric hotel supports, celebrates and embraces what’s known as Florida’s cultural coast through local partnerships cultivated to provide visits with creative guest experiences. Couples can explore their artsy side from the moment they arrive since each room is equipped with ukuleles, leather-bound sketchbooks, and art supplies. Get your creative juices flowing with a portfolio of arts programs offered each day such as music lessons, live performances, origami folding, paint and sketch classes, art demonstrations and more. Sarasota’s signature hotel of the arts takes guests on a tour of the art installations exhibited throughout the property’s public spaces on daily art + wine tours hosted by the cultural curator. After dinner at the artistically-inspired Overture Restaurant that features American classics with a dramatic flair, visit the Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar to take in mesmerizing skyline views of the Sarasota Bay with creatively crafted cocktails. For more information, visit https://artovationhotel.com
5. JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
- Cancun, Mexico
Plan a tropical getaway to the destination that’s famed for its year-round turquoise blue seas and 80-degree forecast. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the airport and in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, the newly renovated JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is a respite from spring break madness, so guests can enjoy more time basking in the sun to the soothing sounds of the ocean (preferably from one of the beachfront Bali daybeds — and don’t forget to order a brunch basket, filled with fresh treats and chilled Moet). In the evenings, retreat to the JW Lobby Bar where a menu of 150 margaritas awaits — that’s 150 expertly crafted cocktails inspired by the resort’s extensive offering of 150 fine tequilas and featuring native Mexican ingredients like mole. Your hardest decision will be choosing which one to sample — and where to dine! With 10 international restaurants on property, guests can have their choice of Mexican, Argentine, Thai, Japanese, and beyond. What’s best, this spring you’ll luxuriate in the resort’s brand new guest room interiors, which feature meticulously carved wood designs inspired by Mayan culture and mystical Mexican cenotes, taking this Cancun spring break vacation to the next level.
6. Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This spring break, travelers can enjoy a different kind of culinary venture at Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, which lies between the Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains off Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Featuring a kitchen full of chefs local to the region of Jalisco, best known as the home of tequila, but also noted for its regional food, the resort offers a signature dining experience for its guests called Jalisco At Your Table. Curated by the chefs on property, this seven-course menu is inspired by meals from their childhood and time spent in their mothers’ and “abuelas” kitchen. Additionally, guests can also take part in an authentic tequila tasting led by the property’s own in-house Tequila Sommelier, featuring their own brand of tequila, CasaMagna (they are one of few resorts in the world with their own brand). Whether travelers are new to the Tequila game or seasoned experts, the Tequila Sommelier takes their experience to the next level by showcasing the resort’s cactus garden where their own blue agave is grown. After a day of sipping and dining, guests can retreat to one of the 433 renovated ocean facing guests rooms which feature a Jalisco-inspired design or make their way to the Ohtli Spa for some R&R.
7. AC Hotel Columbus Dublin
- Dublin, Ohio
Craving a spring break adventure through an up-and-coming, under-the-radar city with an unexpected, bustling culinary scene? Check something new off your list this year and enjoy a small town escape at the new AC Hotel Columbus Dublin in the heart of Bridge Park, Ohio’s newest upscale, entertainment development. The hotel is thoughtfully-designed with sleek interiors, modern amenities, and a Thomas Keller protege to boot. A perfect spot for bonding and sharing both food and laughs, VASO, the hotel’s Spanish-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar, provides spring breakers with a stylish spot for sophisticated cocktails, creative tapas, fire pits, and cabana lounging, and views of the Scioto River. For some tasteful fun, try Chef David Belknap’s umami-inspired dishes like the halibut ceviche and popcorn (together!). Steps away from the hotel, ladies can get up-close-and-personal with animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, discover the city’s vibrant local art scene, and embrace their inner child at Pins Mechanical Co. with old-school games, duckpin bowling, and a craft beer garden. For foodie and drink outings, the opportunities are endless with Ohio staples, sweet shops, trendy breweries, historic and charming restaurants, and a brand new Celtic Cocktail Trail.
8. Opal Sands Resort
- Clearwater Beach, Florida
With a modern, artistic vibe, couples will love escaping to Clearwater Beach’s Opal Sands Resort directly overlooking the Gulf of Mexico this spring break. The property offers a sexy and sophisticated beachfront getaway with beauty at every turn, from destination-inspired art pieces by local artists to coastal-chic decor to stunning panoramic Gulf of Mexico views from every room. Opal Sands Resort’s glamorous accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious private balconies that serve as the perfect frame for the unobstructed views of the Clearwater Beach coastline along with vibrant spaces filled with turquoise and blue tones, cozy seating areas, and bold artwork and design. Groups and couples alike can try a craft cocktail from the onsite Italian seafood, Sea-Guini, order a sunset wine & cheese plate, spice things up with a pizza-making class, or chill poolside at cabanas and loungers. Steps away from the resort, spring breakers can take a stroll along the beautiful, white sand beach and check out water & boating activities, restaurants, and entertainment at the iconic Pier 60 and the Clearwater Beach Marina. For more information, visit https://opalsands.com
9. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
- Arenal, Costa Rica
Go completely off the grid for the ultimate spring break getaway at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, tucked away on a winding road that climbs from the small Costa Rican village of La Fortuna. The first thing guests will want to do is slip into their plush bathrobes (which are worn throughout the resort) and head straight to the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens, where they can soak in the natural pools with temps that reach 105°F. Travelers looking to further unwind can opt for a yoga or meditation session in a secluded rainforest bungalow that is tucked away on a jungle path lined with tropical flora and fauna. For the more adventurous travelers, nearby activities include horseback riding, zip lining through the rainforest canopy, whitewater rafting, and hiking to the La Fortuna waterfall, which gives travelers a chance to catch Costa’s native critters in action.
Now all I have to do is make a choice. Which Adult Spring Break destination would YOU like to visit?
