Whether it’s to celebrate a specific life milestone or to just have fun, a friends vacation is an amazing way to spend a weekend. From wine-country living to island getaways, these destinations will wow your whole squad.
A friends trip is all the better when everyone has comfortable accommodations. You can browse Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy to find options that are ideal for buddy trips in each of these destinations. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Birthday Celebration: Napa and Sonoma, California
When it comes to choosing a spot to celebrate with friends, why not toast your big day at a winery? With hundreds to choose from across California’s Wine Country, you’re bound to find one (or more) perfect for raising a glass.
Say cheers with some bubbly from Domaine Carneros, which produces a variety of sparkling wines, in Napa. Prefer packing a bunch of winery visits into a single day without tagging a designated driver? Then reserve a limo through Napa Shuttle & Limousine that can seat between 6 to 12 passengers (or more in a party bus), and travel in luxury from the front door of your homestay to each winery.
If you’re looking for a vacation rental for your group, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the Vineyards & Villas Curated Collection by Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
Bachelor or Bachelorette Party: Austin, Texas
Planning a prenuptial celebration in Austin is a no-brainer since the Texas capital has a little something for everyone and is dotted with homestays within city limits where you and your friends can spend ample quality time together.
Want a relaxing spa weekend? Then reserve a day package at one of the city’s many day spas, where your gang can unwind in a relaxation room sipping herbal tea before getting a signature treatment, like a four-handed massage.
More interested in planning a fast-paced celebration? Then get ready for a weekend jam-packed with live music (check out the Continental Club or Saxon Pub) and outdoor activities galore (hiking, biking and kayaking, to name a few).
Celeb-Spotting with Pals: Park City, Utah
Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is known for its skiing and snowboarding scene. But there’s more to the city than hitting the slopes — namely, celebrity spotting. Many big names own homes in the area, and every winter, the city hosts the Sundance Film Festival.
Catch a celebrity shopping at one of the chic boutiques on Main Street or get a bite or drink to go along with your celeb-spotting. Enjoy a meal at popular spots like Riverhorse on Main or sip a Campfire whiskey at High West Distillery, the only ski-in/ski-out distillery in North America.
You can find a range of Ski-In, Ski-Out Chalets in Park City that are perfect for groups, too.
Reunion with College Roommates: Lake Tahoe
Straddling the California–Nevada border, Lake Tahoe has long been a popular escape among city dwellers in both states, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by forests, the large freshwater lake makes for a relaxing respite that’s still within striking distance of civilization.
After a full day of swimming, kayaking, parasailing or stand-up paddleboarding by the lake, stock up on locally grown goods to cook up at your homestay at one of the local famers markets, like Ski Run Farmer’s Market, which boasts more than 40 vendors, or American Legion South Lake Tahoe Certified Farmers’ Market, which has been around since the early 1990s.
Not in the mood to drive? You can order online via Lake Tahoe Markets and have it delivered directly to your Lake Tahoe vacation rental.
Multi-Couple Trip: Tulum, Mexico
Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is home to the site of a pre-Columbian Maya city and is packed with beaches, rainforests, swimming holes, historic sites and more. In fact, there’s so much to do here that it’s nearly impossible to cram everything in during a single weekend.
So rather than try to do it all, pick the highlights, like exploring the Tulum Ruins, which once served as one of the most powerful city-states in the world. The next day, book a half-day fishing boat charter (try Jazmin Fishing Charter) and return to your Tulum homestay to grill the bonefish and tarpon you caught.
Rock the Festival Season: Palm Springs, California
Located in California’s Coachella Valley, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs has been called “Hollywood’s Playground,” serving as a romantic respite for celebrities like Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Elizabeth Taylor since the 1920s and home to plenty of stunning homes to rent.
In addition to its upscale vibe, the area is also known for its robust festival season, with Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Stagecoach Festival and Joshua Tree Music Festival topping the list. So if you’re not into camping, you can book a chic Palm Springs vacation rental to accommodate your festival crew. You’ll find a lot of spacious options with pools, ideal for cooling off in the warm California sun.
Girlfriend Getaway: Turks and Caicos
Make like Kylie Jenner and Co. and jet to Turks and Caicos for your next girlfriend getaway. With its picturesque white-sand beaches and emerald-blue water, this archipelago of islands can be as relaxing or as exciting as you want it to be, and there are plenty of beachfront homestays to choose from.
For the adventurous friends in your posse, book a horseback riding excursion and then regroup in the evening with a Champagne sunset cruise with Ocean Vibes, a local adventure outfitter, that’s both relaxing and perfect for filling up your Instagram feed.
Guys Trip: Jamaica
While the girls are away in Turks and Caicos, round up the boys for an adventure of your own: Jamaica. The Caribbean island is chock full of things to do, from zip lining and cliff diving in Negril to simply relaxing on one of its many picturesque beaches.
But whatever you do, don’t miss out on sampling the local cuisine, which is rich in local spices and influences. Some popular dishes include jerk chicken, saltfish, oxtail with broad beans, and Jamaican patties. Skip the crowded bar and restaurant scene and instead hire a private chef to come to your Jamaican homestay via Take a Chef.
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy vacation rentals offer travelers access to entire homes in destinations in the Americas and Europe. Explore thousands of private beach villas, country cabins and urban flats in 100-plus global destinations.
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