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Where America’s Wealthiest Are Staying This Memorial Day
Hotel prices for Memorial Day Weekend pack a punch, but for America’s one per cent the inflated costs are no problem.
Consultants from Two Nights In – a luxury travel agency providing a VIP-style booking service – have revealed to DailyMail.com the most sought-after destinations in the US for those with cash to splash this upcoming vacation period.
Coming out in first place is Aspen, Colorado, a location beloved by everyone from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Gwyneth Paltrow and Paris Hilton, with the must-stay spot being The Little Nell.
Other locations making the haute hit list include the Big Sur in California, the Hamptons and the wilds of the Utah Desert.
Take a flight of fancy down to see some of the salubrious spots you can start saving for, if you want to rub shoulders and soak up rays with the rich and famous.
1. Aspen, Colorado – The Little Nell: From $599 per night
The experts say: ‘Aspen in Colorado is renowned for skiing, but it is also beautiful when the weather warms up.
‘Along with the stunning scenery, upscale accommodations like The Little Nell, incredible restaurants, and high-end shopping attract affluent travelers who love the outdoors.’
About The Little Nell: Aspen has long been the playground for celebrities, but even in a town awash with luxury hotels and exclusive chalets, The Little Nell is one standout place to stay.
Nestled at the base of the Aspen Mountain, the 92-room boutique hotel is the only ski-in, ski-out property in the infamous town.
It’s also the only hotel with both a five-star and five-diamond rating.
While the stunning hotel’s first-class design, amenities and hospitality go above and beyond, the property manages to feel intimate yet fun and is much of a destination as the beautiful mountains that look down on it.
Oenophiles will be in their element, as the hotel has an extensive wine selection, a cellar tasting room and a squad of sommeliers to steer what you sip.
2. Florida – Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: From $1,650 per night
The experts say: ‘Miami properties like the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club are well known hotspots for the rich and famous.
‘This hotel in particular offers great privacy and it is home to one of the US’s most jaw-dropping penthouse suites, which starts from $40,000 per night.’
About The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: The Surf Club in Miami opened its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1930 and now it is part of the upscale Four Seasons portfolio, offering 77 guest rooms, including five beachfront Cabana Suites and 31 Private Residence suites.
The most expensive room is the three-bedroom Marybelle Penthouse Suite, which starts from $40,000 per night.
Designed for entertaining friends and family the suite features multiple communal spaces, including a media room, a dining room, a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sprawling rooftop.
On the dining side of things, the hotel boasts a one Michelin star restaurant masterminded by famed chef Thomas Keller, along with a more informal Italian eatery and a palm-fringed champagne bar.
This iconic beachfront spot has welcomed everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elizabeth Taylor and it continues to draw high society from far and wide.
3. Big Sur, California – Post Ranch Inn: From $2,550 per night
The experts say: ‘The Route 1 road trip is a great American classic, but those in the know head to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur.
‘With the best view along the coast and a fantastic cliffside restaurant, it’s easy to see why it is a great escape from Los Angeles.’
About the Post Ranch Inn: This slickly designed hideaway has 40 guest rooms perched 1,200ft along a dramatic promontory above the ocean.
Guests can soak up the views from the comfort of their beds thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms are also decked out with private hot tubs and there are two communal infinity pools, along with a lap pool.
In terms of activities, there are free yoga sessions and nature walks on offer, or falconry sessions for a unique vacation takeaway.
To replenish energy levels, there is a Wine Spectator award-winning restaurant serving up complimentary daily breakfasts as well as seasonal lunch and dinner menus.
4. The Hamptons, New York – Topping Rose House: From $1,595 per night
The experts say: ‘Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the start of the season out east in the Hamptons.
‘Summer-long rentals are the name of the game here, but boutique hotels like Topping Rose House also offer a stylish stay by the beach.’
About Topping Rose House: Priding itself on being ‘the only full-service luxury hotel’ in the Hamptons, Topping Rose House is home to 16 spacious guest rooms and six one-bedroom suites blending historic elegance with contemporary comforts.
The main house dates from the 19th century, while a number of contemporary buildings have been added to create a stark contrast in design.
Catering to refined tastes, the hotel has a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine with the dishes masterminded by Michelin-stared chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Other perks include a serene heated lap pool, lush gardens, a fitness studio, a spa and a luxury car shuttle running to a spread of the local beaches.
5. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee – Blackberry Mountain: From $1,895 per night
The experts say: ‘Popular among celebrities, Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are sister resorts known for their farm-to-table food and breathtaking natural beauty.
‘In 2019, Gwyneth Paltrow hosted the first GOOP Escape retreat at Blackberry Mountain.’
About Blackberry Mountain: Blackberry Mountain makes for magnificent venue set amid 5,200 acres of private land in the Great Smoky Mountains.
On the accommodation side of things, the high-end resort serves up 18 large cottages, 14 treehouses, six classic cabins and multi-bedroom homes.
The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Four Sisters, offers inventive four-course rotating menus with a focus on seasonal produce. Meanwhile, the Firetower is set inside a former 1950s lookout tower so guests can feast on the views and for a more casual atmosphere, the Sycamore eatery has a bistro-like atmosphere.
To work up an appetite, there a dozens of activities on offer from fly fishing to horse back riding. And for a spot of relaxation, there is a state-of-the-art wellness center.
6. The Utah Desert – Amangiri: From $4,200 per night
The experts say: ‘The Utah Desert is home to one of America’s few ultra-luxe Aman properties, Amangiri, and fans of this flawless brand will travel far and wide to experience the offerings.
‘With striking architecture that blends into the rugged landscape, Amangiri offers a secluded and tranquil retreat in the middle of the desert.’
About Amangiri: Amangiri, from the luxury hotel brand Aman, seamlessly blends into the wild Utah landscape, thanks to understated architecture and various tented structures.
Described on the website as ‘one of the world’s most dramatic secluded settings,’ the high-end camp is home to 34 accommodation units comprising ‘pavilions,’ ‘suites,’ and ‘homes.’
All of the simple yet luxurious structures boast outdoor lounges, sun roofs and private pools.
This hotel makes for a great place to explore some of America’s top natural wonders, with Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park just a stone’s throw away.
Despite being in the middle of nowhere, the cuisine adheres to the Aman’s high standards, with the main restaurant serving artfully presented cuisine celebrating Native American flavors.
7. Lāna’i, Hawaii – Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort: From $1,080 per night
The experts say: ‘Lanai is the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii and offers a secluded atmosphere compared to the more built up islands.
‘The Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is an incredible offering, allowing you to pair a beach vacation with a luxury wellness retreat.’
About Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort: Tucked away amid lush foliage on the secluded Hawaiian island of Lāna’i, this hotel is described as being ‘one of the most unique wellbeing retreats in the world.’
The resort was the result of a unique collaboration between wellness brand Sensei (established by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who also owns the majority of Lāna’i), the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and celebrated Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
There are 92 rooms and four suites in total, with neutral cream and sandy tones running throughout.
One of the resort’s unique features is an 18-hole golf course, with one of the teeoffs taking place 150ft from a cliff above the ocean.
8. Montana – Montage Big Sky: From $618 per night
The experts say: ‘Montana is known for its rugged beauty and expansive landscapes, offering outdoors activities like hiking, horseback riding, and fly fishing.
‘Montage Big Sky is just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, where you can live out your Dutton family fantasies.’
About Montage Big Sky: This photogenic alpine-style resort invites guests to experience the rugged beauty of Montana’s Big Sky Country.
Framed by the Spanish Peaks mountain range and located just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, all of the 100 artfully designed guestrooms and suites serve up exceptional views of the surrounding scenery.
There are also 39 residences for longer-term stays.
Come summer or winter, the hotel prides itself on being able to an ‘unparalleled array of experiences for every season,’ with some of the highlights including ski-in, ski-out access, three world-class fly-fishing rivers, a private 18-hole golf course, a 11,000sqft spa, and six dining destinations.
9. Napa Valley, California – Auberge Du Soleil: From $1,575 per night
The experts say: ‘Nothing feels more luxurious than wine country.
‘Auberge Du Soleil is an iconic, adults-only luxury property that makes guests feel like they’re far away in Europe.’
About Auberge Du Soleil: Set amid rolling vineyards, Auberge du Soleil is not a winery, but a resort.
It started life as Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant thanks to the vision of French restaurateur, Claude Rouas.
In 1981, with business partner Bob Harmon, Rouas opened the venue in a bid ‘to reflect a taste of Provence in California wine country.’
The immediate success prompted the addition of the Inn of the Sun five years later. Today, there are 50 contemporary guestrooms and suites set on a terraced hillside and framed by 33 acres of olive and oak trees.
To accommodate all of the guests, there a now two dining options, both with breathtaking views. If you’re feeling flush, you can eat at the Michelin-starred restaurant (the original) or you can stop by the more casual bistro which has a wraparound deck, more than 40 wines by the glass and is a great spot for sunset watching.
10. New York, New York – The Mark: From $1,020 per night
The experts say: ‘New York City always offers a vibrant scene for America’s wealthiest, with world-class dining, exclusive boutique, exquisite galleries, high-end shopping.
‘There are dozens of luxury hotels to choose from, but one of our favorites is The Mark, for old school glamor and a great uptown location.’
About The Mark: Slap bang in one of Manhattan’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the Upper East Side, the Mark Hotel has been luring well-heeled guests for more than a decade.
Housed inside a historic building dating back to 1927, the hotel offers 100 classically-styled guestrooms and 53 suites.
Along with its slick interior design, other lures include a restaurant masterminded by top chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and a salon which is home to ‘the world’s most famous hairstylist,’ Frédéric Fekkai.
Topping things off, The Mark is home to the most expensive hotel suite in America. The Mark Penthouse costs an eye-watering $75,000 a night and it is where Meghan Markle hosted her lavish baby shower.
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