Want to Get Away? Book These Spring Destinations to Escape Washington, DC
/From College Park to Cancun and Costa Rica, book and save at one of these popular hotels
By Tim Ebner | Edible DC
While most travelers might pick spring break or Memorial Day as popular times to get away, Edible DC knows that there are savings galore in shoulder season — which is right now.
That time period between Easter and Memorial Day Weekend is when you can save a lot of money on flights and hotel stays mainly due to the fact that kids are still in school.
And with seasonable weather finally here, we can’t think of a few better reasons to pack up your suitcase and get moving. These are some of the best travel deals we could find this spring — best of all, they’re only a short drive or nonstop flight away from Washington, DC.
Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons.
Costa Rica
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Travel time: 4 hours, 50 minutes nonstop from BWI
Costa Rica is consistently rated one of the best countries for families to travel to, and it’s no wonder with the array of beach and jungle activities available. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo caters to families with oversized rooms and suite set-ups making it easy to accommodate multiples to a room, plus an outdoor Papagayo Explorers club and both kid and teen play centers. Meanwhile, adults will enjoy the wide range of food offerings from Latin Journey at Bahia to Italian coastal dining at Pesce, and Latin street food with Papagayo Brewing — a local craft brewery now served on the property.
Best of all, when you book your trip this spring or summer, if you stay four nights, then your fifth night is free. This deal, plus the fact that as of April 1 all tourists coming into Costa Rica are no longer required to hold health insurance or a ¨Health Pass,¨ means your travel experience could not be easier flying from Washington, DC.
Mexico
Photo courtesy of the Hotel Xcaret Arte
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Travel time: 3-hour nonstop flight from Dulles or BWI
We cannot recommend this hotel enough for the romantic, food-lovers, where meals (many served by Michelin-starred chefs) are included in your stay. Xcaret Arte is truly a hotel for all the senses, tapping into Mexican food and art, including culinary experiences that tap into the surrounding Mayan region. This resort sits about one hour south of Cancun’s airport, meaning you can leave Dulles or BWI in the morning and beat your own personal beach cabana in the afternoon.
There are nine culinary experiences to sample at this adults-only resort. That includes Mexico's renowned Michelin-starred Chef Paco Méndez and award-winning Chef Jonathan Gómez Luna. Plus Alejandro Ruiz, a master in Oaxacan cuisine, Chef Roberto Solis, with his inspired Yucatecan cuisine, Chef Miguel Bautista with sensational vegan cuisine, Chef Orlando Trejo a master in comfort food, and the renowned Italian Chef Franco Maddalozzo and Sommelier Sandra Fernández. This hotel also gets you access to Xcarte’s all-inclusive fun provided to guests at nearby nature and adventure parks.
St. Kitt’s
Photo: Park Hya
Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbor
Travel Time: 7 hours from DCA with a stopover in Miami
St. Kitts is the ideal location for a spring or summer vacation from astonishing vistas to lush tropical rainforests to pristine beaches, travelers will enjoy quintessential Caribbean experiences and attractions including the UNESCO recognized Brimstone Hill Fortress Park, the Caribbean's only scenic passenger railway, plus some bucket-list-worthy hikes around a dormant volcanic crater.
This summer you can experience the sweet side of summer on St. Kitts, where endless adventures and untamed island beauty will carry you away to a special kind of Caribbean bliss. At the luxurious Park Hyatt St. Kitts, travelers can enjoy a 5th night free plus breakfast for two daily at the on-site restaurant The Great House. Reservations must be booked with the promo code SKTQ4 when booking.
Chesapeake Bay
Photo courtesy of the Wylder Tilghman Island
Wylder Tilghman Island
Travel time: 90-minute drive from Washington, DC
Located on 9-acres of lush grounds with picturesque waterfront views, Wylder Tilghman Island is a dog-friendly retreat that invites guests to reconnect with nature and one another. Guests can glide across the Chesapeake Bay with kayaks and canoes, take a dip in the heated saltwater pool, relax in the wood-fired sauna, and indulge in the flavors that define the Eastern Shore at Tickler’s Crab Shack.
This month guests can enjoy 20 percent off their bayside retreat with the special Eastern Shore Getaway rate. Kick-off the summer right and enjoy the pool, crab shack on the weekends, and new waterfront wood-fired sauna. Before the crowds start to flock, discover the serenity and adventures this hidden gem along the Chesapeake Bay coast has to offer. Please note this rate is applicable for bungalows, suites, queen’s quarter, and deluxe rooms. Offer good through April 30th. Reservations are non-refundable and non-changeable. Use the rate code ESG20 when booking.
College Park, MD
The Hotel at the University of Maryland
Book Online
Travel Time: 20-minute drive from Washington, DC
We know what you’re thinking... a vacation in College Park? Absolutely, yes. You should book a stay at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, an amenity-driven property that features a tricked-out fitness center, full-scale spa, and indoor pool, plus several suite setups offering stunning views of the University of Maryland campus — go Terps!
Did we mention this hotel is extremely pet friendly? The Southern Management PAWs (Pets Are Welcome) Program includes a welcome amenity for your pet, bowls, and mat in your guest room. College Park also is becoming quite the food destination with several new restaurants such as Tacos a La Madre, 2Fifty Barbecue, and Taqueria Habanero, plus several restaurants located inside the hotel, like Potomac Pizza and Bagels-n-Grinds. Across the street is also where you’ll find The Hall CP — a sprawling restaurant and bar where you can grab a coffee, catch an outdoor concert, or sip a few Maryland craft beers in Adirondack chairs at happy hour. This spring guests will enjoy an upgrade to one of the hotel’s deluxe guest rooms with complimentary free parking and 10 percent off the best available rate for any midweek stays (some blackout dates apply). So, go ahead and take a day because you have a hot-stone massage followed by a leisurely dip in the pool.
Tim Ebner is a contributing writer for The Washington Post, Eater, Thrillist, DC Refined, and Capitol File Magazine and is a nationally award-winning writer for his work for Edible DC. He lives in Washington, DC and works full-time as a senior editor for Associations Now.
