Shayne Benowitz

New York is a magnetic city to visit no matter what age you are, but with all its towering skyscrapers, iconic landmarks and brilliant museums, the Big Apple is particularly well-catered to family vacations. Handily, Time Out already has a comprehensive roundup of all the best places to keep the little ones entertained on your trip, but downtime for both kids and parents is essential to making the most of your stay. So, that’s why we’ve also built this collection of New York’s top family-friendly hotels, from well-connected affordable stays to luxury resorts, to ensure everyone’s needs are catered for. For the fall, new inclusions are the sleek Virgin Hotels New York, the lovely Shelburne Sonesta and the quintessential, iconic Lucerne, but there’s plenty more where that came from. You’re welcome. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York

New York has lots of brilliant qualities, but being a refreshing place to visit is not one of them. That’s why having a gleaming pool at your hotel can be a real game-changer when you’re choosing where to stay, and we’ve rounded up the best ones. From cabana-lined rooftops to enjoy the final dregs of sun to gleaming, spa-adjacent pools for a relaxing dip pre-spa, there are some luxe options across the city—you just need to know where to look. So, dive into our dazzling new list, updated for fall 2025. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

Decided it’s finally time to pay a visit to Miami? We don’t blame you. This coastal metropolis is packed with gorgeous restaurants, stylish cocktail bars and fun things to do—not to mention amazing nightclubs where you can dance the night away. And that’s before we get started on the city’s jaw-dropping beaches.  So, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay while you visit this center of coastal cool (you deserve a comfy bed after all of that sight-seeing and indulgence, of course), then look no further. Miami also happens to have its fair share of excellent hotels for you to rest your head in, from South Beach mega resorts to Downtown boutiques and beachfront spas. Read on for our pick of the best hotels in Miami—we’d be surprised if at least one isn’t the ideal spot for you.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best spa hotels in Miami How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in Miami

Key West is an island city where, as much as things change, they stay the same. Tourists and snowbirds come and go, locals are a transient lot, and natives can be few and far between. Still, the 20,000 or so year-round residents make up a rich local culture where everybody seems to know everybody and most of the best restaurants in town have been around for decades, many of them still locally owned and operated.  Louie’s Backyard and Blue Heaven are institutions that manage to always delight and epitomize the island’s subtropical bohemian vibes. Each generation brings something new with staying power. My favorite restaurant, Santiago’s Bodega, opened around the time I moved to the island in 2004. Somehow, I still think we’re both the new kids in town, but nearly 20 years later, that is absolutely no longer the case. Meanwhile, the Docks is an exciting newcomer on the Stock Island waterfront and I know their crew from way back.  Local culture in Key West runs deep. With tourism as the island’s biggest economic driver, locals also know they’re catering to visitors, many of whom are as charmed by the island as they are. And while I technically moved away many years ago, my heart never really left Key West. I make my pilgrimage back at least once a year. These are the Key West restaurants that consistently deliver the best of what makes the island such a special place. Fall 2025: Fall in Key West is an ideal time to visit. It’s shoulder season with reasonable hotel rates, fewer c

The Big Apple is pricey, and any traveler paying this marvelous city a visit will soon find that the bagels, pizza slices, museum tickets and cab fares add up to a fair amount of cash—but you don’t have to throw loads away on your hotel just to avoid breaking the bank. In fact, quite the opposite.  What are hotel prices like in New York City? New York City has many wonderful qualities, but being easy on the wallet is not one of them. Hotel prices can be steep even if you are pretty organised when it comes to booking, but we’re here to help. What you’ll find on this list is hotels which have not been skimpy on that effortlessly cool New York style, but which cost no more than $215 per night—no horrid dorms or leaky showers here.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

Key West is one of those places that is so idyllic it can be hard to believe it’s actually real. Picture the scene: palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, surrounded by crystalline turquoise waters, basking in year-round sunshine - absolute bliss. If that ain’t the good life, we don’t know what is. And there are few better ways to properly indulge in Key West than by renting an Airbnb. The city’s finest Airbnbs range from abodes that are mere steps away from the area’s biggest attractions to those that are perfect for lounging by the beach. We’ve sifted through all of Key West’s Airbnb rental options to find the ones that are totally unmissable: read on to find out more. Updated May 2025: The best hidden gems are often right under our noses, which is why we're leaving no stone unturned. How else would we know about the lighthouse suite or the hibiscus cottage? RECOMMENDED: 🏝Why not stay at one of the best hotels in Key West?Or the best family-friendly hotels in Key West? This guide was recently updated by Travel Writers Shayne Benowitz and Alex Floyd-Douglass. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our 

Poet Elizabeth Bishop once called Florida the “state with the prettiest name.” And while she lived in Key West for a time during the late 1930s, her poem characterizes much of the natural beauty that still attracts visitors to Florida today. A peninsula ringed by the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it’s home to mangrove islands, wading birds, pelicans, loggerhead sea turtles, palm trees, Everglades swamps and so much more. From the sugar sand beaches of the panhandle to a Disney vacation in Orlando, the surf in Cocoa Beach and the cosmopolitan city of Miami, you’ll also discover plenty of off-the-beaten-path destinations tucked away alongside inland lakes and rivers. There are so many different types of Florida vacations to be had. Use our guide to track down the best Airbnb rentals in Florida for the vacation of your dreams.RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Miami🏨 The best hotels in Tampa🏠 The best Airbnbs in Orlando This guide was recently updated by writer Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

With a legacy that spans Bob Marley and the birth of reggae music to the island where Ian Fleming drew inspiration in creating James Bond, Jamaica has long been a storied Caribbean destination. Ringed by the crystal clear waters and white sand beaches of the Caribbean Sea, it’s paradise for the modern day vacationer who can indulge in everything from snorkeling to diving, deep sea fishing, sailing or simply lounging in a beach chair. There’s also the dramatic verdant peaks of the Blue Mountains where Jamaican coffee is produced, historic plantation museums and rum estates. And while Jamaican patties and jerk chicken are a must, the island is also home to an impressive global dining culture drawing upon its natural resources and the bounty of the sea. With a wealth of luxurious all-inclusive resorts to satisfy every type of traveler, from romantic couples retreats to activity-filled family vacations, read on to discover the perfect Jamaican getaway for you. Updated January 2024: We've sweetened the deal with two more excellent all-inclusive, family-friendly resorts. Check out Princess Grand Jamaica Resort and Rui Palace Aquarelle. Looking for more Jamaica inspiration? 🏖️ The 20 best things to do in Jamaica🍴 Kingston's best restaurants🎸 The 11 best things to do in Kingston This list was curated by destination expert and travel editor, Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we

Perk number 7,345,689 of living in Miami? There are plenty of destinations within a quick-ish drive. Sure, geographically, we may be at the Southern tip of the continental US, but there are plenty of unique beach landscapes, inland treasures and, yes, even further southern destinations to dabble in. As for what to do, where to eat and where to stay (should you want to extend that day trip into a multi-day trip), we’ve got the musts. Here are our tried-and-true picks for the best road trips from Miami to satisfy that wanderlust without wandering too far. RECOMMENDED: Where to stay in Miami: a neighborhood guide

One hundred and fifty miles south of mainland Florida, Key West floats at the end of the road as the southernmost point in the continental United States. An offbeat, come-as-you-are island, it’s long attracted writers, artists, drifters, and outdoorsmen drawn to its freedom and natural beauty. From afternoons fishing or snorkeling near the Gulf Stream to casual day drinking on legendary Duval Street and the nightly sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, Key West has a way of bewitching its visitors. The charming Old Town district, lined with pastel “conch” cottages and Victorian-style mansions is also home to some of the island’s nicest resorts and historic inns that sit close to a whole host of great restaurants, bars, and attractions. But you’ll also find incredible hideaways in more off-the-beaten-path areas, from marina-front resorts on salty Stock Island to private cottages on Sunset Key and modern hotels across New Town. Read on for the best hotels to experience your own slice of Key West’s paradise. RECOMMENDED:🏠See the best Airbnbs in Key West🍲 Dine at the best restaurants in Key WestStay at the best family-friendly hotels in Key West This guide was recently updated by Travel Writer Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to

Situated on the eastern shore of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is where the Atlantic Ocean intermingles with the Caribbean Sea along miles of golden sand beaches. The crystal clear aquamarine waters beckon surfers, kayakers, snorkelers, divers and fishermen, while the area’s interior is home to verdant mountains perfect for zip lining, nature hikes and exploring caves and cenote sinkholes. From Uvero Alto along the northern coast to Cap Cana in the south, home to the lush Cotubanamá National Park and Saona Island, there’s 30 miles of coastline and beaches to explore. It’s no wonder then that Punta Cana is home to a wealth of lavish all-inclusive resorts designed for family vacations, romantic retreats and exciting group travel. From the newest luxury couples resort to a whacky Nickelodeon-themed hotel for kids and kids at heart, read on for the very best of Punta Cana’s all-inclusive resorts. Looking for more inspo? 🏖️ Here are the best things to do Punta Cana This guide was recently updated by Miami-based travel writer Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines

Without cheating via the internet (or further down this introduction), how many islands make up the Bahamas? If you said 700, congratulations! Only around 30 of these inhabited, so dust off the explorer’s hat and get to adventuring. We’ll make an intrepid explorer out of you yet. In all seriousness, the Bahamas is arguably the world’s best ‘choose your own adventure’ destination, a little slice (many slices, technically) of paradise that serves up crystal clear waters and colorful cocktails on a metaphorical conveyer belt. If you close your eyes tight enough and try to conjure up an image of paradise, you’re going to be imagining the Bahamas. The best things to do in the Bahamas are clear to see. Those looking to spend days hopping from island to island will find plenty to keep them occupied, while travelers hoping for something a little more relaxed (as in, lazing on a beach in the sun all day long) will encounter more serenity than they can shake a stick at. Not that you’d shake a stick at serenity, but you get the point. What to do in the Bahamas? These 10 things should comprise the first page of your Bahamas bucket list. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

An all-encompassing luxury lifestyle experience, Equinox Hotel is a standout place to stay in New York City. It’s a part of Hudson Yards, the glittery mixed-use development that also debuted that year, spanning shopping, dining, condos and office towers, built atop a rail yard on the far west side of midtown Manhattan.  The hotel is set within a handsome 92-story glass and limestone tower by architecture firm SOM with interiors by Rockwell Group (who also designed Equinox fitness clubs). There are 212 rooms and suites which occupy floors 24 to 38, along with a 60,000 square-foot fitness club, spa and rooftop pool with sweeping views of the Hudson River. Here’s what we thought of it.  Why stay at Equinox Hotel New York? This place is a true escape from the city. Set on a glittery plaza overlooking the Hudson River on the far west side of Manhattan, it’s both architecturally and geographically removed from the rest of the city’s hustle, bustle and grit—bascially as close as it gets to a resort experience in the middle of the city.  Of course, the hotel was born from a fitness club, so it’s a place to indulge in a 360-degree, fully-integrated wellness experience, from the gym, to morning yoga on the terrace, an afternoon at the luxurious spa and sunbathing at the rooftop pool. But there’s also a restaurant with a buzzy bar and fashionable outdoor terrace for meals that run the gamut from wholesome to indulgent.  What are the rooms like?  Designed by Rockwell Group, rooms are a s

Founded by local restaurateur Jason Dugan in 2004, Santiago’s Bodega is a modern Key West classic. Slightly off the beaten path in Bahama Village, it’s situated inside an intimate, romantic dining room filled with flowers and abstract art. There’s also an inviting wraparound patio. Perennially popular amongst locals, the menu of Spanish tapas-inspired small plates has remained much the same since day one—and that’s a good thing. Over all those years, the quality has never lagged and diners return time and again for a parade of familiar, crave-worthy dishes.  Divided between cold and hot tapas, as well as soup and surprisingly large-format salads, there’s an art to placing the perfect order. Might we direct you to the French green beans with gruyere and prosciutto, hummus trio, brandy flambéed haloumi saganaki, seared beef tenderloin with bleu cheese butter, croquettas with prosciutto and provolone, spanakopita. The housemade red and white sangria is always a hit or opt for a bottle from their excellent global wine list. And don’t sleep on the bread pudding for dessert, prepared fresh to order with croissant, it’s ooey-gooey and perfectly decadent.

Upon turning the corner onto W. 30th Street from Broadway, Virgin Hotels New York makes for a dramatic arrival experience. Amidst NoMad’s tightly crammed hustle and bustle, the sidewalk expands and a wide red carpet appears with Virgin’s signature red neon signage above marking the entrance to a 39-story modern glass tower with a double height lobby. While I find Virgin’s neon red logo and branding a little cringey for hospitality, antithetical to true luxury, I got past that quickly to discover there’s plenty of pleasure to wring out of a stay at this rare new build hotel set amidst landmark architecture. The grand scale alone is enough to elicit luxury with playful touches, thoughtfully designed interiors and buzzy energy. Why stay at Virgin Hotels New York? Part of Sir Richard Branson’s foray into hospitality, Virgin Hotels debuted in Chicago in 2015 with a cheeky ethos featuring ‘chamber’ room designs (which feel more residential) with flexible space for sleeping and living, plus minibars with street value pricing. There’s also an emphasis on social spaces for gathering and interior design that reflects each location.  The hotel group now includes nine properties across the US and UK with Virgin Hotels New York debuting in 2023. Here, Big Apple style is filtered through a sprawling social space on the third and fourth floors with a stylish indoor-outdoor cocktail bar, restaurant and pool club. It’s also home to an outpost of Exhale Spa with signature treatments, barre and

Cutting a grand silhouette on a prominent corner of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, The Lucerne is a landmark 12-story Beaux Arts hotel built in 1904. It stands out in the neighborhood for its striking, highly-sculpted façade in red-plum brick and terra cotta. Ringed by the sidewalk terrace for onsite restaurant Nice Matin, a French café and neighborhood staple, doormen stand in waiting at the hotel’s grand entrance.  Just two blocks to Central Park (and equidistant to Riverside Park overlooking the Hudson River, to the west), it offers guests an idyllic slice of classic New York. As an Upper West Sider, myself, I’ve always felt like The Lucerne is emblematic of the best of the neighborhood; at once breezily chic and classic. It’s also my parents’ favorite hotel in the neighborhood to stay when they visit. Why stay at The Lucerne? The Lucerne is ideal for those who want a little distance from the bustle of Manhattan, while still experiencing a quintessential aspect of New York City life. It’s set in a classic, family-friendly residential neighborhood close to Central Park and just a block to the American Museum of Natural History. This is the New York City that Nora Ephron immortalized in movies like You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally. The Upper West Side is also the New York of Jerry Seinfeld. What are the rooms like? With such a grand historic facade, it’s a shame that The Lucerne has not invested more in updating the hotel’s interior design and architecture of late. The

Debuting in January 2024, Secrets Tides is one of Punta Cana’s newest all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resorts. The massive property spans nearly 700 suites laid out in a condo-like footprint with white stucco buildings flanking criss-crossing infinity pools that lead to the expansive beach. Part of the World of Hyatt resort collection, accommodations are modern and sun-kissed in a neutral color palette with pops of seafoam green reminiscent of the views beyond the sliding glass doors. That’s where you’ll find spacious balconies and, in some cases, patios with swim-out pools. The resort is home to over a dozen restaurants and bars, ranging from the beachside Barefoot Grill to the upscale Oceana seafood restaurant and the Market Café buffet. There’s also the requisite swim-up pool bar and the Showtime cocktail lounge with live nightly entertainment. For onsite activities, take your pick from snorekeling to sailing, beach volleyball, yoga and pickleball. There’s also an impressive spa with a full hydrotherapy circuit, including hydro-massage pools, saunas and a relaxation lounge.  Neighborhood Situated in the heart of Punta Cana’s Uvero Alto, Secrets Tides is like its own high-end residential beachfront community with condo-like suites and multiple infinity pools. Nearby Saona Island: Arrange an excursion with the resort to zip along the coast by speedboat to the southern tip of the Dominican Republic and explore the protected biosphere of Saona Island with its pristine beache

For kids and kids at heart, Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts Punta Cana puts a zany spin on the classic all-inclusive Punta Cana beach vacation. From the onsite Aqua Nick waterpark, home to water slides, a lazy river and a slime zone, to Nickelodeon-themed events featuring characters, including Sponge Bob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol, entertainment is at every twist and turn. You can even check into a two-bedroom, three-bath Pineapple accommodation inspired by Sponge Bob’s famed “pineapple under the sea” that sleeps six featuring a private patio and garden with an infinity pool. There’s also a wide variety of suites, including some with swim-up pool access. They’re all tricked out with Nickelodeon orange accents and playful details. With over a dozen onsite restaurants and bars, meals also take on whacky Nickelodeon themes, from Pajama Jam breakfasts featuring Sponge Bob characters to special Turtle Power dinners. For grown-ups, there’s also multiple oceanfront swim-up bars and sophisticated dining options, including Verdello for Italian or the Explorer’s Table for world cuisine. From a Club Nick playhouse for the little ones to white parties thrown on the beach, there’s truly something for everyone here. Neighborhood With its own waterpark, you’ve entered a Nickelodeon alternate dimension where theme park meets resort at this playful destination on Uvero Alta’s southern end. Nearby La Hacienda Park: From zip lining to buggy rides, horseback riding

An adults-only all-inclusive resort on the golden sand beaches of Punta Cana, Excellence makes for a breezy, romantic vacation with a barefoot luxury vibe. A lagoon-style swimming pool punctuated by lush gardens meanders along the oceanfront where you’ll find plenty of quiet nooks to soak up the sun and while away the day. Take your pick from a woven hammock, a cushy lounge chair or beneath a palapa on the beach. The all-suite resort is designed in a tropical modern aesthetic, most with spacious balconies, while some boast private plunge pools. Excellence is home to 10 restaurants and 12 bars offering a range of global cuisine. I especially enjoyed the al fresco Lobster House at sunset for fresh seafood and gorgeous views beneath an oceanfront palapa. For a little extra pampering, the Miilé Spa is surrounded by lush gardens facing the mountains with a hydrotherapy circuit, including pools, a Swedish sauna and aromatherapy steam room. In addition to a wealth of water sports, from snorkeling to deep sea fishing, you can play some grass mini golf, table tennis and pickleball.Neighborhood On the northern stretch of Punta Cana’s Uvero Alto, Excellence is an oceanfront destination unto itself set on a lush palm tree grove with multiple swimming pools.Nearby Playa Macao: A stunning beach popular with surfers, you can also arrange for four wheeler tours and horseback riding. Hacienda Tuko: This eco-adventure park combines zip lining with buggy and horseback riding for a true immersi

For kids and kids at heart, Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts Punta Cana puts a zany spin on the classic all-inclusive Punta Cana beach vacation. From the onsite Aqua Nick waterpark, home to water slides, a lazy river and a slime zone, to Nickelodeon-themed events featuring characters, including Sponge Bob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol, entertainment is at every twist and turn. You can even check into a two-bedroom, three-bath Pineapple accommodation inspired by Sponge Bob’s famed “pineapple under the sea” that sleeps six featuring a private patio and garden with an infinity pool. There’s also a wide variety of suites, including some with swim-up pool access. They’re all tricked out with Nickelodeon orange accents and playful details. With over a dozen onsite restaurants and bars, meals also take on whacky Nickelodeon themes, from Pajama Jam breakfasts featuring Sponge Bob characters to special Turtle Power dinners. For grown-ups, there’s also multiple oceanfront swim-up bars and sophisticated dining options, including Verdello for Italian or the Explorer’s Table for world cuisine. From a Club Nick playhouse for the little ones to white parties thrown on the beach, there’s truly something for everyone here. Neighborhood With its own waterpark, you’ve entered a Nickelodeon alternate dimension where theme park meets resort at this playful destination on Uvero Alta’s southern end. Nearby La Hacienda Park: From zip lining to buggy rides, horseback riding

Situated on the tip of a private peninsula in Falmouth, roughly midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Excellence Oyster Bay is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in a modern and luxurious Victorian-style setting. With water views spanning the Caribbean Sea and the Glistening Waters Lagoon, the resort is anchored by a stylish pool and boasts impressive accommodations, from suites with plunge pools to private beach villas directly on the sand and the signature Excellence Club suites, which include butler service, a dedicated concierge desk, private lounges and other perks. The onsite Milé Spa is home to an incredible indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy circuit, including multiple pools of varying temperatures, Swedish saunas and a steam bath, plus luxurious treatments. With nearly a dozen restaurants and bars to choose from, you can sample traditional Jamaican fare at the beachfront Jerk Shack or experience fine dining, ranging from Chez Isabelle for French and Spice for Asian fusion. I particularly enjoyed the oceanfront Lobster House serving fresh seafood and a creative plant-based menu for al fresco dining with gorgeous views—a true gem within this jewel box-like setting. Neighborhood Excellence Oyster Bay is a resort destination unto itself positioned on a private peninsula surrounded by two miles of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and mangrove lagoons. Nearby Glistening Waters Lagoon: A bioluminescent marvel that must be experienced to be believed. Book a night boat tour

Set on a lush cove in Ocho Rios, Couples Resorts Sans Souci is a more boutique experience than your typical Jamaican all-inclusive couples resort. At just 150 suites, it makes for an intimate vacation where, at times, you might even feel like you’ve got the whole resort to yourselves. Newly updated suites are white-washed and modern with a touch of old world tropical glamour, featuring natural wood finishes, rattan and basket weave textures, and pleasing pastels and striped accents. Sans Souci is home to every water sport under the sun (from snorkeling to Hobie cats, kayaking and more), plus tennis courts and a jogging track. With six restaurants, from casual to fine dining, Casanova is Sans Souci’s crown jewel. Set in a country club-like setting, it serves a fusion of international and Caribbean cuisine with both indoor and outdoor seating. There are also multiple bars, including the whimsical and lively Balloon Piano Bar, which I loved. A true paradise, take your pick from three swimming pools, including one fed by natural mineral water, as well as a mineral grotto for a hydro-therapy experience that can be paired with an afternoon at the spa. Neighborhood Situated near Ocho Rios, Sans Souci is an all-inclusive resort destination unto itself nestled in a lovely cove with multiple oceanfront swimming pools and mineral springs. Nearby Green Grotto: Discover the bedrock of Jamaica with a visit to the Green Grotto’s system of underground caverns with pristine waters and lush ve

Time Out Says As one of Key West’s rare newly built resorts, The Marker is home to some of the island’s most modern guestrooms lending it a touch of luxury. It’s also ideally located on the historic seaport where you can take a stroll along the docks and find some Key West’s most classic bars and restaurants. Rooms are categorically spacious in bright blues and crisp whites and most are equipped with balconies overlooking either the courtyard swimming pools or the historic seaport with views of ship masts swaying in the breeze and the turquoise sea beyond. Bathrooms are equally spacious, many of which include rainfall showers and soaking tubs. The resort, with its tin roofs and white porticos is designed in a modern Victorian architectural style that’s classic to Key West. It wraps around a courtyard with two swimming pools and the poolside Starboard restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s best enjoyed as a poolside lunch destination where everything from pulled pork nachos to beer-battered mahi bites and fish sandwiches are on offer.NeighborhoodSituated at the foot of Key West’s historic seaport, which is lined with salty bars with live musicians playing day and night, casual and upscale seafood restaurants and a marina dotted with boats, The Marker is also an easy three-block walk to the liveliest section of Duval Street.  Nearby O.’s Fish Wagon: For the ultimate freshly caught fish sandwich (go for the grouper if it’s on the menu) in a delightfully

Time Out says One of Key West’s most historic hotels, Casa Marina is fresh off a $79 million renovation with refreshed guestrooms, a new lobby bar, and a range of new dining options. Spanning 6.5 oceanfront acres, this grand dame resort on the National Register of Historic Places makes for an impressive arrival with its Mediterranean revival opulence. Originally conceived by oil tycoon Henry Flagler in 1920, the resort’s stucco arcades, mimic a stretch of the original Overseas Railroad, which he also developed. Inside, the high-ceilinged, high-gloss lobby is decked out with exposed Cypress wood beams, ionic columns, and hardwood floors. This historic opulence extends to the grand poolscape with two pools in perfect symmetry and a private beach dotted with hammocks and lounge chairs, plus two newly restored piers, making for one of the most idyllic beachfront retreats in the Keys. The resort is home to a handful of casual dining destinations with a new “Baja-Med” poolside concept forthcoming. Meanwhile, Flagler’s serves breakfast on an oceanfront patio and there’s also a grab-and-go market. The new lobby bar, The Canary Room, inspired by a short story by local legend Ernest Hemingway, is a great place to tuck into for a nightcap. Neighborhood Casa Marina is a destination unto itself situated on the island’s southern edge in a mostly quiet, residential neighborhood named for the resort. Nearby Louie’s Backyard: Arguably Key West’s most iconic restaurant with its history inte

From futuristic car elevators that whoosh you and your ride (preferably, a Porsche) to your condo in the sky to coordinated chopper pickups from a helipad floating on Biscayne Bay, the sky’s not even the limit at these over-the-top Miami residences. Check out the novel amenities driving the latest luxury projects to hit Miami’s real estate market. Porsche Design Tower If you invented the first-ever robotic elevator for automobiles, wouldn’t you name it after yourself? Enter the trademarked “Dezervator,” named for local developer Gil Dezer. The patented lift system inside the Porsche Design Tower, a 60-story high-end condo property, whisks owners and their rides (preferably the swanky European kind) directly up to their homes in the sky. Forgot something in your car? No need to schlep downstairs: Your baby awaits just outside the door.18555 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach. From $6.3 million for a three-bedroom unit. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach The folks behind the Ritz-Carlton Residences have found a way to make air travel more bearable for their future denizens: by skipping the traffic altogether. Opening later this year, the Piero Lissoni–designed waterfront condos will include free rides via the house yacht to a navigable marine helipad nearby. Once there, a Miami Executive Helicopter choppers you to your private jet for a getaway. All this comes without ever braving the TSA or the 836.4701 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach. From $2 million for a one-bedroom unit. Opens

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is really just another excuse to party. For three straight days, the eponymous waterfront neighborhood becomes a wild street parade of artists and art aficionados from around the world—and they’re all chasing a good time. “Early on, Coconut Grove was known as a laid-back, artistic, bohemian community with lots of galleries; but with so many artists, we needed three days to celebrate,” says festival president Monty Trainer. A couple of the area’s recurring participants include KROMA, a communal art space in West Grove, and FrameWorks, the festival’s longtime official framer (and pop-up exhibition space). Spectacle aside, the centerpiece of the weekend is the 360 exhibiting artists’ original work—from paintings to photographs to jewelry to sculpture. This year, 45 Miami artists (up from 41 in 2016) are expected to showcase their talents, including Linda Apriletti, who’s known for her oil paintings of the Florida Everglades, as well as newcomer Yeins Gomez, whose haunting welded-steel sculptures earned him a spot in the Havana Biennial Art Exhibition. Another highlight? Spanish-language celebrity chef Pepín plans to break a Guinness World Record for the largest arroz con pollo by cooking his own 4,000-pound dish. Sounds like a work of art to us! Entrances at McFarlane Rd, Mary St, SW 27th Ave and S Bayshore Dr (305-447-0401). Feb 18–20 10am–6pm. $15; under 12 free.   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Did your last hotel stay rouse your inner Eloise? If so, consider one of Miami’s luxury hotel residences for your next big move. You won’t get plush robes (those are still reserved for actual guests), but perks like valet parking and dog walking are available. The downside of living life on vacation? It’ll cost you—a lot. The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in a hotel residence is considerably higher than a comparable unit elsewhere (in Brickell the difference can be as much as $500,000). But if you have the Benjamins, it might be time to check into these lavish digs for good.   EAST, Miami   Hong Kong–based Swire Hotels’ first U.S. property is part of Brickell City Centre’s mixed-use complex. At EAST, Miami, tenants have guest perks without the commitment of ownership: The 352-room hotel boasts an inventory of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences available to lease—ranging from one month to one year. Homes exude Zen-like minimalism with floor-to-ceiling windows, full kitchens and ample living space.  Tenant perk: Complimentary valet and housekeeping services,   plus private elevators to access the residential floors. (788 Brickell Plaza; 305-712-7000, east-miami.com) The Residences at Faena Hotel Miami Beach  Flamboyant hotelier Alan Faena’s namesake hotel is as opulent as they come: Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons sculptures, gourmet restaurants and a Vegas-style show are all found on-site. While the six-block Faena District is home to its own condominium tower, the