The Best Destinations for a Summer Vacation

As you dream about your next summer escape, keep these six exclusive family vacation spots in mind, each offering its own slice of paradise. 

Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica 

Ideal for adventure seekers, beach lovers, surfing enthusiasts, and wildlife fans, Costa Rica uniquely fits the "something for everyone" bill.  

Experience this Central American gem to the fullest and stay on Peninsula Papagayo, an oasis of rugged natural beauty paired with idyllic beaches on Costa Rica's western coast. Boasting 23 miles of coastline, over 1,000 species of animals and birds, and gorgeous rainforests, Costa Rica is an adventure lover’s paradise. Zip line through treetops, kayak the Colorado River, head to Tamarindo to surf, or have your Concierge arrange a private catamaran cruise. Back on the peninsula, schedule a deep-tissue massage on your private balcony, golf the Arnold Palmer-designed course at the neighboring Four Seasons, or cook up a Costa Rican meal with executive chef, Chef Nicolas. 

Wake up to breathtaking views of the rainforest and enjoy access to the Poro Poro Beach Club while staying at one of our four-bedroom residences. Each features a private plunge pool and offers expansive indoor/outdoor gathering spaces, allowing you to feel immersed in your tropical surroundings at all times.  

Nantucket, MA 

The quintessential Northeast hamlet of Nantucket, MA, aka "The Faraway Land" as translated from the native Wampanoag language, once served as one the major whaling ports in North America. Today, the tiny island (just over 11,000 residents call it home year-round) located 30 miles south of Cape Cod attracts visitors from around the globe for its natural beauty, history and overall sense of serenity. 

Take in Nantucket's charming vistas and towns via bike. An extensive trail system covers the island, making it easy and enjoyable to get from one end of its 14-mile stretch to the other. Along the way, see if you can spot some of the more than 800 pre-Civil War era buildings and homes—the largest concentration in the country. Be sure to make your way to Siasconset, considered the most beautiful part of the island thanks to its 18th-century village, lush gardens, quaint restaurants, and expansive white-sand beach. Between April and October, take to the water on a whale-watching tour, then learn about the island's storied whaling history at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.  

Get the true Nantucket experience and stay in one of the Club's three residences, all centrally located in town and featuring airy, light-filled spaces, open layouts, and room for 10-12 people—perfect for multi-generation vacations. 

Newport Beach, CA 

Posh, sophisticated, and endlessly picturesque, Newport Beach is the California of the movies. The Southern California refuge is as intimate as it is blissful, its distinct neighborhoods each offering its own unique personality and collection of restaurants, boutiques, and postcard-worthy views. 

Start your exploration of Newport Beach in Lido Marina Village and Cannery Village. The neighborhood was once home to a thriving fishing scene; today, it's known for its must-try restaurants housed in former warehouses, chic local shops such as Bixby & Ball and Alchemy Works, a weekly farmers' market, and the Lido Theater, host of the annual Newport Beach Film Festival and a crown jewel of the area since 1938. 

Continue your cultural experience at your Pelican Hill® villa. Inspired by the hillsides of Tuscany, the landscape (think olive trees and beds of lavender) and overall design of Pelican Hill feels like a European enclave. Relax alongside the majestic Coliseum Pool, featuring 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles; perfect your golf game on the two courses designed by Tom Fazio; relax and rejuvenate at the spa; and indulge in one of the six on-site dining experiences. 

The Club's five, three-bedroom villas are perfect for families and boast open floorplans, stunning views, and décor reminiscent of a Tuscan estate—the closest you'll get to la dolce vita without crossing the Atlantic. 

Deer Valley, UT 

Stunning mountain views combine with epic outdoor adventures at Deer Valley, located outside of Park City, UT. During the winter, the home of the 2002 Olympics serves up world-class snow for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. It's also host to the annual Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in Park City every winter. The area is just as appealing for getting outside from sunrise to sunset during the summer months. That's when the mountains come alive with wildlife, greenery, and flowers, and the biking and hiking trails offer routes that get you off the grid and into nature. Along Main Street in Park City, recover from a day outdoors with dinner at nationally recognized, 16-year recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award Riverhorse on Main and shopping at the dozens of local boutiques and private galleries lining the historic stretch. 

Rest up for your next day of exploration at the Club's Ironwood townhomes or Montage Deer Valley residences. All are designed to accommodate groups of up to eight and offer prime access to Deer Valley’s natural playground, including ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley, making them ideal places to call your home away from home during any season. 

Dominican Republic

Island living is at its peak in the Dominican Republic—the Caribbean jewel known for its pristine beaches, dynamic dance scene (it is where merengue originated, after all), world-class ecotourism activities, and stunning national parks and nature preserves.  

In addition to its natural beauty, the Dominican Republic is also a golfer’s paradise. A total of 86 holes boast seaside vistas, and many of the lush inland courses were designed by acclaimed golf course architects including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Greg Norman. The beauty and challenges of the courses haven't gone unnoticed, either: Seven courses consistently top Golf Week’s Top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Mexico, including Punta Espada, Los Corales (host of the 2018 PGA Tour), and Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo, which receives several prestigious awards every year from around the globe. 

Immerse yourself in all that the Dominican Republic has to offer in one of the Club's beachfront suites at Eden Roc Cap Cana. Designed with seclusion and privacy in mind, as well as a full suite of resort amenities at the beach club, the enclave is located on the eastern tip of the island and features tropical gardens, lagoon-style pools, three restaurants, three bars, and the Punta Espada golf course just mere steps away. 

Sea Island, Georgia

For almost a century now, families and travelers seeking unparalleled relaxation and hospitality have made their way to the same small island off the southern coast of Georgia for respite, camaraderie, and sport. The pace of life on Sea Island allows you to slow down and savor each moment of vacation, whether that's spent horseback riding on the beach, traversing the greens at the Seaside Course (ranked #1 by Golf Digest and the host of the PGA Tour's McGladrey Classic) or Plantation Course (home of the PGA Tour's RSM Classic), building sandcastles, or working on your tan at one of the resort’s pool. 

Sea Island Resort is the only resort in the world to receive four Forbes Five-Star awards for 12 consecutive years, and its five miles of private beach, 65,000-square-foot spa, Forbes Five-Star restaurant, The Georgian Rooms, and additional luxury amenities at the famed Cloister Hotel truly make it an ideal getaway. Bring the whole family along to stay at one of The Club’s 13, four-bedroom residences. Each comfortably sleeps 10 people and offers a spacious kitchen, communal gathering spaces, screened-in porch,  private plunge pool, and is within walking distance to The Cloister.