USA Crossing the Pond: city breaks in the USA
Tired of Paris? Bored of Barcelona? So over Rome? Autumn is the season of the
city break but if you’re well-travelled, chances are you’ve been there,
done that when it comes to European cities.
So why not try
something new? This year, head over the pond to the other side of the
Atlantic and check out some of America’s hottest cities. They may not
have the historic clout or heavyweight attractions of some of Europe’s
grand dames but these young, vibrant cities pack a weighty punch when
it comes to activities, offering world-class nightlife, shopping,
dining and recreation.
On the east coast, Boston is one of the
USA’s oldest cities and when it comes to cultural attractions the city
has plenty to offer, from the Boston Tea Party Museum to the country’s
oldest university campus, Harvard. But it’s the eclectic nightlife that
really characterizes the city, with an energetic live music scene
dominated by indie bands and a growing collection of ultra-modern
lounge bars where hip young things go to be seen.
Boston hotels
range from the traditional elegance of the Taj Boston, housed in a
classic 1927 building in peaceful public gardens, to the contemporary
style of the W Boston, located in the heart of Midtown’s fashionable
theatre district.
Further south, it’s still warm in Miami,
where resort-standard white-sand beaches combine with big-city
sophistication. South Beach is the place to stay, famous for its
pulsing energy and beautiful people. Shop in some of the country’s
hippest boutiques, rub shoulders with the rich and famous and dress to
impress at the all-night clubs.
Miami hotels
reflect their surroundings, from the ultimate in urban cutting-edge
design at the W South Beach where all studios and suites have
uninterrupted sea views, to the last word in art deco beach chic at the
Tides where private cabanas and fine dining are de rigueur.
Over
on the west coast, Los Angeles also offers city style combined with a
beachside twist. Stay on the coast in Santa Monica where the three-mile
sandy beach will look familiar to fans of Baywatch and the coastal path
is the coolest place in the world to go rollerblading, or bed down in
the heart of the city in the upmarket enclave of Beverley Hills and
explore the boutiques of Rodeo Drive and the trendy restaurant scene of
Restaurant Row on La Cienega Boulevard.
Los Angeles hotels
are some of the best in the world so flex those credit cards and check
in to the crème de la crème – the Beverly Wilshire, right opposite
Rodeo Drive and famous for its role in Pretty Woman.
For the
ultimate city break it has to be Vegas, the entertainment capital of
the world and a 24/7 party city. In recent years the world’s top chefs
have been opening outposts here and the nightclubs along the Strip are
second to none, serving luxurious cocktails and hosting the very best
DJs in opulent surroundings.
Las Vegas hotels
are the biggest and best in the world so aim high and check in to the
Venetian for almost overwhelmingly lavish rooms and faux gondolier
rides or the gold-plated Wynn for sumptuous rooms with jaw-dropping
views and a renowned 18-hole golf course.
Whatever you want
from your next city break, the USA has it – in spades. So dig out your
passport and head Stateside this autumn – you won’t look back.