As more and more companies embrace remote workers, flexible hours and shorter workweeks, employee lifestyles are changing — as are ideas of what exactly a weekend might look like. As people maximize this hybrid living, second homes — weekend bases, as it were — become even more tempting prospects.
Read on to discover eight locales that make excellent second-home bases, where the local culture is enticing and the benefits of living there three days per week are yours for the taking year-round.
Los Cabos, Mexico
For a laid-back, second-home base, look to Los Cabos, on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Beloved for its rugged, majestic landscape, Los Cabos has grown into a hot spot for high-end resorts, nightlife and restaurants.
Once a simple fishing village, San Jose del Cabo, on one end of Los Cabos, is still marked by adobe houses and cobblestone streets set alongside sparkling views of the Sea of Cortez. Cabo San Lucas, on the other end, is home to a stunning marina and lively bars and restaurants.
As the region’s popularity swells, there’s still plenty of room to explore; be sure to visit “El Arco,” the natural rock formation jutting from the sea in Cabo San Lucas, and experience the well-preserved old-world charm of San Jose del Cabo.
Play endless rounds of golf on championship courses or try your hand at some of the best sport fishing in the world. If you need a break from the action, Los Cabos is also known for its local arts, crafts and jewelry vendors.
London, United Kingdom
Live part-time in a city where you could go to the theater, take afternoon tea, visit museums, head to a football (“soccer” to those stateside) game, and relax in a pub with a pint — all in the same weekend? Why, that sounds like a capital idea!
The diverse City of London has enough to delight and divert any visitor for years on end, let alone a few days. The result is a place where anyone and everyone can feel at home.
In addition to visiting major sights, like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, there are ample spots to breathe deep and find a moment’s peace away from the city’s energetic pace. Indeed, London lays claim to varied and delightful public natural spaces, from the banks of the Thames to the majesty of the Royal Parks.
Miami, Florida
For those seeking access to some of the best beaches in the U.S., high-end restaurants run by world-renowned chefs, incomparable nightlife, exciting architecture and a global arts scene, you can’t get better than Miami.
The city ‘s downtown Brickell neighborhood buzzes with performing arts venues, like the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, as well as epic nightlife spots, like the iconic club E11EVEN.
The city plays host to festivals ranging from Art Basel Miami to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and neighborhoods like Bal Harbour and the Design District are home to some of the nation’s most upscale shopping, replete with high-end stores — think, Cartier and Chanel — selling the most coveted luxury goods in the world.
Deer Valley, Utah
Top-ranked for its amenities as well as celebrity sightings, this upscale mountain resort — part of the Wasatch Range — first gained notice during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Two decades later, its fame continues unabated and is a beacon for weekend visitors in every season.
Whether you downhill or cross-country ski, or just enjoy the catered alpine lifestyle that accompanies access to the great outdoors here, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to traverse some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country — or let horse-drawn sleighs, bobsleds or fat-tire bikes do it for you.
For some of the best views in the region, take the Jordanelle Express Gondola down to the Jordanelle Reservoir for a singular look at the Uinta Mountains. If you’d rather be inside, three words: spas, fireplaces and cocktails.
The Pearl-Qatar, Doha
Comprising entirely reclaimed land, this ambitious real estate project in Doha, Qatar, covers one of the country’s major pearl-diving sites. In fact, the island’s shape resembles a string of pearls, and each of the 12 precincts has its own elaborate architectural style, ranging from Moroccan to Spanish to Venetian. Driving through each one is a journey in itself.
What threads the precincts together is the luxe, leisurely lifestyle they promise — each offering fabulous dining, pampering spas and yoga studios, and absolute relaxation along the stretches of pristine coastline.
In addition, weekenders will find the largest marina in Qatar, as stunning in design as it is in breadth, which attracts yachters from across the globe. For shoppers, an epic waterfront retail walkway features an enormous array of designer boutiques. And the nightlife, as one might expect, is epic.
Mactan Island, Philippines
Lovely Mactan Island lies just minutes away via bridge from the busier hub of Cebu Island, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport is an easy flight from spots like Manila, as well as international destinations. Particularly lovely is the stretch of peninsula that juts into Magellan Bay, which is home to a bevy of gorgeous islands that are a brief boat ride away.
The island is renowned for easy access to prime diving spots, lush tropical greenery with waterfalls and canyons, and fantastic seafood. Visit a bustling markets to purchase locally made handicrafts, tee off at nearby world-class golf courses, or dine on local delicacies at top-notch restaurants.
Just over the bridge, Cebu City is steeped in history, its origins dating back to the 16th century. Rich with both heritage and modern-day amenities, the city is home to Cebu Heritage Monument and the 1730 Jesuit House, both of which offer weekenders a dramatic history lesson. Continue exploring town with a stroll down Colon Street to bargain with vendors and sample street food.
Limassol, Cyprus
The second-largest city in Cyprus, Limassol is perfect for weekenders who love a side of history with their seaside escape.
The town is continuously modernizing and taking advantage of its new port, with trade and commerce — especially wine and cognac — an important part of the country’s economy. Upscale dining (as well as a bevy of traditional tavernas), nightlife and stunning beachfront mean Limassol is frequently voted one of the most livable cities in the world.
Hugging the island’s southern coast and built between two ancient Greek cities, Limassol is a grand place for history lovers; it’s dotted with museums like the Cyprus Medieval Museum and archaeological sites like Limassol Castle. Or head to the Amathus archaeological site, considered one of the most important in the country.
Beyond Limassol, Cyprus caters to every type of traveler, in every season. Outdoor adventurers will find blue flag beaches (Pissouri Beach is just 30 km from Limassol), cycling and hiking trails, as well as skiing in the Troodos Mountains. Culture aficionados can get their fix perusing museums and galleries, while oenophiles can explore local wine routes and sip commandaria, a sweet dessert wine made in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.
Puerto Rico
Who wouldn’t want to weekend where the piña colada was born? But umbrella drinks aside — if you can put them down, that is — Puerto Rico offers easy access to stunning beaches, including Flamenco Beach and Crash Boat Beach, as well as alluring rainforest attractions like El Yunque National Forest and Carabalí Rainforest Park.
Cities like San Juan retain their historic charm even as restaurants serve up forward-thinking cuisine and make trendy craft cocktails with the local rum. The island also boasts world-class golf courses designed by champions, such as The St. Regis Bahia Beach golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., which is set amid ocean views, undulating fairways and scenic lakes.
Enjoy effortless homeownership with Marriott International. Find your next home at www.marriottresidences.com.
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