The seaside town of Tulum, located just one hour from Playa del Carmen and Cancun International Airport (CUN), is home to ancient architecture, spectacular cenotes and luxurious, eco-friendly resorts. This is one of the last seaside towns built by the Mayans and welcomes every type of traveler for the ultimate Riviera Maya experience. Here are four luxurious resorts we recommend if you’re ready to take Tulum all in.

Located on a secluded sugar-white sandy beach just one hour and 25 minutes away from CUN, Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is ready to impress. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with your family or friends, this upscale resort combines fun and relaxation for everyone. In fact, you might recognize its Spanish, hacienda-style ambience from the first season of Bachelor in Paradise. That said, it’s the ultimate escape from reality with seaside swim-out suites, tiki huts, colonial architecture and eco-friendly fountains alongside over 5,000 plants, plus seven bars. This is the vacation vibe for every traveler.

The Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa Resort is the only Adults Only All Inclusive boutique hotel in Tulum. It is a unique accommodation perfect for couples and adults who are looking for the perfect holiday with an exceptional personalized service. Luxury and spacious suites with Jacuzzi, stunning location in front of the sea for the celebration of weddings, perfect ambiance for relaxing and resting, gourmet All Inclusive service.

Visit the ancient Mayan ruins amidst the surrounding lush greenery before or after vacationing at the Bahia Principe Grand Tulum located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. This all-inclusive resort was carefully designed for you with sustainability and exclusivity in mind. Crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches surround the resort’s wide variety of a la carte restaurants, professional golf course and spacious rooms and pools just moments away from the shores.

This adults-only all-inclusive resort sits on the sugary sands near Xpu-ha beach, ideal for active travelers, couples and groups seeking an enjoyable Mexican hideaway in Tulum. Catalonia Royal Tulum is surrounded by its tropical atmosphere filled with native jungle trees, local plants and stellar cenotes near the Caribbean coastline. To make the most of your stay, take a stroll through the hotel’s on-site gardens, relax in the Alegria spa, take a dip in one of the pools, or wine and dine alfresco. Plus, after spending your day with fun in the sun, there’s a disco and nightly shows featuring international entertainment you must see to believe.

​Whether it’s unforgettable pool experiences, new kids club offerings, robust keiki (children) day programs, or kitchenettes to make travel just a bit easier, we have you covered with our favorite Hawaii resorts. 

​Mickey and friends love vacationing at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, and you will too. Perfect for adults and kids alike, Aulani is an island retreat that immerses visitors in Hawaiian traditions in a dreamlike setting removed from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. When you aren’t busy chilling by the pool, experience some of the many nifty on-site activities like guided resort wildlife walking tours, stories around the Mo’olelo Fire Pit, ‘ukulele lessons, character experiences and ‘Ohana Disney movie nights.

With special features like Waikiki’s largest Super Pool, 20 restaurants and bars, on-site gardens, ponds and waterfalls, and daily resort activities, it’s no wonder why visitors are flocking to Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Situated on the widest stretch of beach in Waikiki, this fabulous hotel has everything you might need for your island getaway and more.

Celebrate the best of Honolulu from Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach. Widely known as the "First Lady of Waikiki," our historic hotel first opened its doors in 1901 and offers a seamless blend of Victorian elegance and contemporary comfort. Boasting an unbeatable beachfront location, we're just steps from the immaculate shores of legendary Waikiki Beach and within walking distance of Honolulu's most beloved shopping, dining and entertainment attractions. For your convenience, we provide three distinct, sophisticated room layouts, each one overflowing with thoughtful amenities. In addition, our hotel features a towering banyan tree, a shimmering outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the only beachfront spa in Waikiki and six on-site bars and restaurants. Host an event with us here in Honolulu to take advantage of stunning outdoor venues and top-quality planning and catering. Allow Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach to raise the bar for beachfront luxury.

Whether you dream of underwater encounters with local wildlife, chopper tours that soar above the tree-lined shore or hula lessons with the one you love, Turtle Bay Resort is here to help you meet your vacation goals. Dubbed Hawaii’s “most experiential resort,” Turtle Bay Resort encourages visitors to get out there and explore with their custom-built packages and special offers to help travelers do more and save more. And with beach cottages, vista levels, ocean villas and modern rooms and suites, there’s no better place to relax and unwind after an action-filled day than Turtle Bay.

​The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort stretches along its namesake white-sand beach on the Island of Hawaii. The Kohala Coast is known for its world-class shoreline as well as for the cultural and archaeological gems nestled between its centuries-old lava fields. Our resort’s contemporary style contrasts with our lush, manicured gardens and the endless blues of the sky and the ocean. Enjoy our four reimagined dining venues influenced by the island’s bounty. Hit the links on our award-winning 18-hole Hapuna Golf Course designed by Arnold Palmer. Cool off in two swimming pools, including a 6,800-square-foot freeform family pool and an adult-exclusive infinity pool, overlooking Hapuna Beach. Our WestinWorkout Center and Crossfit Studio are complemented by the Hapuna Spa for rejuvenation and relaxation. Our resort boasts more than 85,000 square feet of newly refreshed function space for productive business meetings and inspiring social events. Choose from 249 oversized guest rooms, including 17 suites.

With sixty-two acres to explore, a stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village is an experience in itself. The property has two fabulous resort towers to choose from and a number unique on-site offerings such as a four-acre ocean-fed lagoon with a white sand beach and watersports, three pools (complete with waterfalls and waterslides), mahogany canal boats for transportation around the resort and Dolphin Quest, an interactive dolphin experience. In addition to these unique features that set Hilton Waikoloa Village apart, the resort also offers more traditional experiences like award-winning dining, shopping and spa services.    

Inspired by the aloha spirit, Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is a luxury Hawaii Island resort and spa located along the breathtaking Kohala Coast. Travelers who choose Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii can expect to immerse themselves in nature as the hotel is surrounded by 32 oceanfront acres of blooming tropical gardens, rushing waterfalls and a zen-invoking white sand beach and lagoon. Taking luxury to the next level, one of this resort's most popular offerings is its Spa Without Walls, an award-winning experience that blends the area's naturally therapeutic environment with ancient Hawaiian healing arts for a spa experience not soon to be forgotten.

Set right on Ka’anapali Beach, once named one of America’s best beaches, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa offers a luxury Hawaiian experience. Eight onsite restaurants cover any type of cuisine you would want, including Hawaiian shave ice at Ululani’s. A sushi lounge, waterfalls, pools with swans and an award-winning luau create a well-rounded island getaway.

What sets Honua Kai Resort & Spa apart is the studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, giving guests more space and the convenience of full kitchens as well as a washer and dryer. It’s like a vacation rental, but with the amenities of a luxury resort. A 3-acre aquatic playground with a network of pools, five hot tubs, a meandering lazy river, and more will keep the whole family happy and out in the beautiful Maui weather all day.

September feels a bit like a fresh start. Kids are back in school (hopefully). Lucky ducks with seasonal vacation homes have returned. And those of you with flexible schedules can have all the best travel spots to yourselves. That is music to my ears, especially right now.
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You’ll find fewer crowds at places that have been relatively busy all summer—think national parks, beach towns and popular vacation areas. For much of the country, it’ll be paired with spectacular weather. If you’re able to travel in September, do it. It's one of the best months to explore.

Of course, it's more important than ever to do your homework before traveling. Make sure you have all your accommodations booked before going, and look up local health & safety mandates. Bring your mask, pack extra hand sanitizer, and don't skip a bathroom opportunity when one presents itself. 

That said, if you want to enjoy one of the least busy travel months, here are a few trips to consider.

With Covid-19 on everyone’s mind, outdoor vacations have never been more appealing. That’s why a trip to one of the country’s 62 national parks topped travel excursions between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you crave a little more solitude, take your trip in September. You’ll slip in after kids go back to school, but before the fall colors tourists hit. In many parks, weather tends to still be warm, but not oppressively so, and everything from rental cars to accommodations tend to put less pressure on the pocketbook.

A few parks to consider: 
​Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Great Smokey Mountains, Glacier, Zion, Acadia
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With the arrival of autumn, the crowds are gone, prices are low, and cooler temps mean you probably won't end up looking like a lobster at the day's end. In fall, I love a long stroll on the shore, or planting a chair in the sand and losing myself in a great book. Paired with lower hotel rates and generally less busy restaurants, I say there's a great argument for saving your beach vacation until fall. 

A few of our favorite fall beach destinations:  
Marco Island, Destin, Riviera Maya, Maui
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September is one of our favorite times to visit the Disney parks thanks to low crowds. In addition to the low crowds, you have the delicious Epcot International Food & Wine Festival happening and the new Boo Bash after hours event at Magic Kingdom Park. Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is in full swing with their new Oogie Boogie Bash event happening on select nights through October. 

Fireworks are also back at the Disney parks so now is a fantastic time to celebrate with family and loved ones. 

Special offer: Save up to 25% on select Disney Resort stays.  
Planning a Disney vacation isn't easy so leave it to the pros. We will plan your vacation from start to finish exactly the way you envision. Let us do all of the work, you have all of the fun ºoº