Luxury getaways…….So, picture this: it’s a gloomy February morning in Queens, I’m half-asleep, wrapped in a blanket burrito, scrolling through my phone, when I stumble upon a photo of Jennifer Aniston on some beach that looks straight out of a dream. I mean, waves so blue they look Photoshopped, and those stupidly perfect palm trees that always seem to know where to stand for the best lighting. And I thought—okay, where the hell is that?
Turns out… it’s still in the U.S. I know. Wild, right?
I went down a total rabbit hole that day, looking up luxury getaways—the kind of places where celebs sneak off to “unwind,” which I assume is code for “drink expensive cocktails while pretending they don’t check their follower count.”
Anyway, I figured, if I can’t go to these places yet (keyword: yet), at least I can write about them and mentally teleport there while my space heater hums like a tired bee.
🌴 1. Malibu, California – The OG Celebrity Paradise
I know, I know. Malibu is basically shorthand for “rich people by the ocean,” but hear me out. There’s something magical about that stretch of sand where the Pacific just glows at sunset, and everyone looks like they’re in an ad for expensive mineral water.
Every time you hear about a “private beach house” or “secluded weekend getaway,” odds are it’s in Malibu. Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been spotted there (obviously), along with Leonardo DiCaprio, who practically lives in swim trunks.
Someone once told me that Malibu isn’t even that big, but somehow every A-lister fits in—like a real-life Instagram grid of perfection.
I imagine them walking barefoot on the sand, pretending not to care that paparazzi are somewhere in the dunes, while I’m over here in Queens, dodging puddles and pigeons.
🏞️ 2. Aspen, Colorado – The Snowy Hideaway for the Stylish
Okay, full disclosure: I’ve never skied in my life. Closest I’ve gotten is sliding on ice outside my building in Queens. But Aspen? Aspen looks like the place where people wear $900 snow boots and “accidentally” look fabulous while drinking hot chocolate.
This is where celebs trade bikinis for beanies. Think Mariah Carey, the Kardashians, and basically everyone who owns a private jet.
It’s that mix of rustic wood cabins, roaring fireplaces, and designer ski suits that somehow makes even frostbite look chic.
A friend of mine (well, “friend” as in ex-coworker who now works remotely and flexes it on Instagram) went there once and said, “It’s like if Hallmark movies were directed by Vogue.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
🌊 3. The Hamptons, New York – Where Everyone Pretends to Relax
Oh, the Hamptons. Just a couple hours from me, technically. But somehow still galaxies away in vibe and price tag.
If Malibu is beachy and chill, the Hamptons are like, “Oh, this old mansion? We only use it in August.”
Celebs love it because it’s close to NYC but feels far enough away that they can swap paparazzi for cornfields and farmers’ markets. Jennifer Lopez, Alec Baldwin, and Sarah Jessica Parker—yep, they’ve all been spotted there in linen shirts, sipping something that costs more than my weekly groceries.
The last time I went, I stayed in a rental that proudly said “ocean-view.” Spoiler: you could see the ocean if you leaned out the bathroom window and squinted.
Still worth it.
🌲 4. Lake Tahoe, Nevada – Quiet, Classy, and Cool (Literally)
Now this one surprised me. I didn’t realize Lake Tahoe was such a celebrity magnet until I read about how people like Mark Zuckerberg, Kim K, and even Lady Gaga have spent quiet weekends there.
It’s one of those places that somehow does both—it’s got this rugged outdoor energy (mountains, hiking, lakes) but also luxury resorts where they’ll fluff your robe like it’s royalty.
The water there? Unreal. Like mirror-level stillness. I saw one photo and honestly thought it was AI-generated. Nope. Just nature flexing.
One local resort even offers helicopter tours of the mountains, which sounds amazing in theory… until you remember I can barely handle the turbulence on Spirit Airlines.
🐚 5. Kauai, Hawaii – The “Hide Me from the World” Island
Kauai isn’t just pretty—it’s the kind of place that looks like it got airbrushed by Mother Nature herself.
It’s also where celebs like Julia Roberts and Ben Stiller go when they need to fully disappear. And I get it. The island’s wild cliffs, secret beaches, and jungle vibes make it feel like you’ve escaped reality (and possibly cell service).
One of my favorite random facts: Julia Roberts literally bought a house there. Like, “I love it so much I’m staying forever” energy.
I once planned a Hawaii trip, but somehow my “affordable vacation” tab turned into “Why is this flight $1,200?” and I closed my laptop real fast.
🌵 6. Scottsdale, Arizona – Desert Luxe Vibes
Okay, Scottsdale might not scream “celebrity vacation” right away, but that’s kinda the point. It’s lowkey, classy, and full of those desert resorts that look like they were built for sunrise yoga and margaritas at 4 PM.
Celebs like Oprah, Beyoncé, and countless athletes have stayed there because it’s quiet. And also… spa heaven.
Every corner smells like eucalyptus, and people walk around in fluffy white robes like it’s a dress code.
I once tried to recreate a “desert spa experience” at home by lighting incense and putting on a face mask. Let’s just say, it wasn’t quite the same vibe.
🐴 7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming – Rustic Glam at Its Peak
This one’s for the outdoorsy celebs. Think Harrison Ford (who literally lives there), Kanye back in the day, and even Sandra Bullock sneaking off for some mountain air.
There’s something almost cinematic about it—like a cowboy movie met a high-end Airbnb.
Imagine luxury cabins with fur throws, gourmet meals cooked by private chefs, and views so stunning you forget Wi-Fi exists.
Honestly, if I ever vanish for a few weeks, check Jackson Hole first. I’ll probably be trying to look mysterious with a mug of coffee and zero makeup (while secretly missing Dunkin’).
🌅 8. Miami, Florida – The Flashy Playground
I mean, c’mon—Miami had to make the list. Celebrities practically invented vacationing here. It’s the opposite of “hideaway”—it’s “look at me, but make it Versace.”
You’ve got South Beach, Luxury getaways, and rooftop parties where even the dogs have designer outfits.
I’ve been to Miami once (for a friend’s bachelor trip that went… let’s say, off-script), and I get it. The city hums with energy. You can’t not feel like a slightly cooler version of yourself just walking down Ocean Drive.
It’s also the only place where it feels normal to eat dinner at 11 PM and still have people ordering cocktails like it’s happy hour.
🎬 Final Thoughts about Luxury getaways
What I love about all these luxury getaways isn’t just the glam—it’s that they remind me how many beautiful, ridiculous, postcard-perfect places exist right here in the U.S.
And yeah, most of us don’t have private jets or personal assistants named “Pierre,” but you don’t need millions to get a little taste of that life. Sometimes, it’s just renting an Airbnb near a lake, grabbing your favorite snacks, and pretending you’re on a celebrity-level sabbatical.
Honestly, who’s gonna know?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to light a candle, put on ocean sounds, and call it my own Malibu moment.
Outbound Link Suggestions:
- A funny personal blog about over-the-top vacations: The Everywhereist
- Pop culture luxury travel list: Travel + Leisure – Celebrity Vacation Spots
