Escape the Election with Presidential-Themed Getaways
Five luxury resorts are now offering presidential-themed travel packages that include presidential pampering without the politics. Just think: private boat charters, championship golf and personal butlers. From Florida to DC and the Caribbean, these resorts offer a political hiatus from this stressful election season.
Harbour Village Beach Club: Bonaire
Elect to Escape
As the presidential race continues to gain momentum, Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire’s only upscale resort, invites those who have had enough of the nonstop campaign coverage to “Elect to Escape.” Bonaire is known as the “Caribbean’s best kept secret” — where traffic lights are nonexistent, the circumference of the island is a protected marine park, the flamingo population rivals the human one and the palm trees are not much taller than the buildings surrounding them.
Election-weary citizens escape to Harbour Village Beach Club, located on a four-acre private peninsula within an exclusive beachfront enclave. From the moment bags are dropped in the beachfront, Dutch-Caribbean style suite, guests toast to a tranquil retreat with a wine and cheese platter welcome amenity, perfect for savoring mesmerizing views and soothing sounds of gently lapping turquoise waters. The political candidates become a distant memory as The Spa at Harbour Village Beach Club pampers guests with peaceful 60-minute massages in an intimate oasis. For ultimate isolation and remote relaxation, Great Adventures Bonaire charters travelers to Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited private island encircled by pristine coral reef — no WiFi, TV or smart phones in sight. The election detox concludes with a torch-lit dinner courtesy of La Balandra Bar & Restaurant on the powder-white sands of the island’s only private beach. Stress be gone, paradise found.
It’s no surprise that the exclusive Harbour Village scores award after award, year after year. It’s tucked away on a 4-acre private peninsula, among lush tropical gardens and a silky white-sand beach.
It’s all about leisure at Salamander Resort & Spa. Guests can partake in all kinds of activities, both indoors and out. If a culinary class isn’t appealing, perhaps a game of billiards is — between the cooking studio and Gold Cup Wine Bar sits the billiards room, which looks as if it could be part of an old mansion (just like everything else on property). With so many surrounding acres, including 200 that have not been cleared, there’s an endless amount of fun to be had in the great outdoors.
Salamander Resort & Spa: Middleburg, VA
Commander In Sleep
Politicos have long traveled beyond the Washington, D.C. Beltway to decompress in the storied village of Middleburg, Virginia, which is just one hour away in Northern Virginia. Over 50 years ago, President John K. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy would spend White House weekends in the historic town, and it was here, in Virginia’s horse and wine country, that Sheila C. Johnson chose to build Washington, D.C.’s retreat: Salamander Resort & Spa.
Since opening in 2013, Salamander has attracted luminaries from all over the world, and in this election season to remember, or forget, Salamander has lined up a ballot filled with special election-inspired packages that offer guests, or candidates, “Presidential Pampering without the Politics.”
First Ladies’ Getaway
- Two-night stay in a Double Queen Room
- Crushed Cabernet 80-minute spa treatment, per person
- Choice of Stress Burner Yoga or Happy Hour Yoga, per person
- Chilled wines in room upon arrival
Star chef Daniel Boulud’s Cafe Boulud at the Brazilian Court Hotel and Beach Club in Palm Beach is sublime. Chef Zach Bell carries out his boss’s signature French dishes with ease, grace, and skill that’s unparalleled in these parts.
The Brazilian Court Hotel: Palm Beach
Presidential Pampering in Palm Beach
In anticipation of the 58th U.S. presidential election, The Brazilian Court Hotel — a discrete enclave of the rich and famous since the 1920s and the epicenter of Palm Beach society — invites guests to experience the presidential lifestyle, with all the perks and none of the politics, with “Presidential Pampering in Palm Beach,” available now through the presidential inauguration in January and starting at $21,750 per two-night stay.
Built in 1926 and celebrating their 90th anniversary, The Brazilian Court Hotel boasts a decades old pedigree as a favorite of celebrities, Palm Beach power players, media moguls, and socialites — attracting the most esteemed of the social registry from the Hearst’s and Trump’s to the Kennedy’s and Pulitzer’s.
Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate: Orlando, FL
Presidential Stay & Play
With a historic election year in full swing, now is the time to cast those ballots by visiting some of the nation’s favorite golf destinations, known for making guests feel presidential. In honor of the quadrennial occasion, golfers can elect to get the presidential treatment at Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate, an upscale, yet relaxed golf resort and spa reflecting understated elegance, sensible luxury and natural beauty.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate boasts two championship Greg Norman-designed golf courses, the world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a full service Mokara spa, three heated outdoor pools, cushy private poolside cabanas, an 850-foot winding lazy river, 350-foot corkscrew waterslide, spacious two-and three-bedroom villas, and 15 sprawling acres of recreation all found at the stunning 720-room resort. Additionally, the luxury reprieve features seven diverse dining experiences from sushi and sake at Zen to savory steaks & wines at David’s Club.
The expansive lobby is beautifully accented with marble floors and nice color while offering views of the pool areas. There is ample to do here, which is why you will never have to leave the premises.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort: Amelia Island, FL
Running Mates
President Ford played in a member-guest tournament at the Amelia Island Plantation in the 1980s. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is home to 54 holes of championship golf courses and the most seaside holes in Florida.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a 1,350 acre nature-inspired resort nestled between the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and serene salt marsh. Amelia Island — the southern most island in the Sea Island chain — sits just 45 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport, making it easily accessible but miles away from the stress of the city. Since 1562 eight flags have flown over Amelia Island a prize many wanted to claim, the island boasts more than 13 miles of beaches, countless hectors of nature preservers and historic downtown Fernandina with an active harbor and preserved Southern Victorian architecture.
The emphasis at this large resort (1,350 acres) is family-oriented accommodations and activities, including golf courses (54 holes, some oceanfront), 23 Har-Tru tennis courts, and expansive spa facilities, all of which were improved in 2012.
