The Best Girls’ Trip Destinations

Girls’ trips come in all shapes and sizes, but they start the same way: a flurry of texts in the group chat, an undeniable sense of “I needed this,” and the tacit understanding that whatever happens, you’re all in it together.

The destination matters; it should be easy enough to reach, whether by a direct flight or an easy drive, because no one wants to spend the whole weekend in transit. The hotel matters, too. It should have a pool or beach, a spa for relaxing, and a restaurant where getting dressed for dinner feels like fun. Bonus points if you’re close to great shopping, lively bars, or the sort of neighborhood that rewards wandering.

If your group chat is ready to make some plans, here are the most reliable girls’ trip destinations that never disappoint.

Cancún, Mexico

For spas and tropical beaches

Cancún proper conjures images of spring breakers and traveling families—two demographics that do not a good girls’ trip make. Cancún International Airport, however, offers a ton of convenient direct flights from many major American cities. A girls’ trip here makes a lot of sense—just grab a taxi from Arrivals and promptly head somewhere a little more fab.

Just north of Cancún is the relatively new SHA Mexico, the North American outpost of the iconic Spanish destination spa favored by Naomi Campbell and Gwyneth Paltrow. If the girl group is looking for green juices, spa treatments straight out of a sci-fi film, and an immersive wellness experience, this is your spot. And to the south of Cancún is Tulum, known for its Mayan ruins and bohemian party scene. If you’re heading in that direction, the fashion set—Jason Wu, Bella Hadid, Aerin Lauder, and many more—has long favored the elegant Hotel Esencia. Its beachfront location is one of the most pristine in all of Mexico.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

For a five-star New England getaway

Fresh off the heels of the Peacock adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s Five-Star Weekend, Nantucket feels more right than ever. The island’s tiny size (just 14 miles long) means that everyone in your group can choose their own adventure, and nobody is ever too far from anybody else. Early risers can bike by the Sankaty Head Lighthouse and grab breakfast in Sconset, shoppers can get lost shopping downtown for hours, and beach lovers can lie the day away at Surfside or Cisco—yet by sunset, everyone seems to find themselves back together for oysters and martinis.

Where you stay depends on your personality. White Elephant is the perennial classic, while Faraway Nantucket feels younger and livelier, and out on the island’s far northeast corner, The Wauwinet is an absolute must if it’s beach access and peace of mind that you seek. No matter where you rest your head, don’t leave without renting some bikes, exploring the island’s many paved trails, and shopping the two stores everyone is talking about this summer: Paige Lorenzo’s buzzy Dairy Boy, and homegrown Nantucket lifestyle brand Steplane.

Sonoma, California

California wine country at its most relaxed

Napa Valley may have the Michelin stars and biggest wineries, but Sonoma has something so much cooler: room to breathe. The pace is slower, the tasting rooms less formal, and there’s enough happening—from shopping to vineyards to redwood forests—that nobody feels obligated to spend the entire trip swigging Chardonnay. For hotels, the foolproof option here is the Montage Healdsburg, where vineyard views stretch in every direction and the pool area, spa, and restaurants are destinations in their own right. You could easily do a weekend here without stepping off property—but should you be so inclined, it’s a short drive (in the house car) to Healdsburg Plaza for shopping.

Palm Beach, Florida

For old-school glamour and South Florida convenience

Not to lean on stereotypes, but a destination built around the color pink is pretty much foolproof for a girls’ trip. Hop on an easy flight down to Florida and head straight to The Colony Hotel—lovingly known as “The Pink Palace”—where the beach is a short walk away, and there’s always a fun scene by the pool area. Pro tip: Book one of the multi-bedroom residences, which offer a more spacious, residential vibe as well as a private pool area.

Spend your mornings shopping Worth Avenue or the Royal Poinciana Plaza, then settle in for a leisurely lunch at Sant Ambroeus or Bice. After dark, Palm Beach delivers the kind of breezy Floridian glamour that makes everyone want to put on their best Lilly Pulitzer dress: Go for cocktails at The Colony’s restaurant Swifty’s, dinner at Buccan or Le Bilboquet, and then a nightcap at La Goulue. Equal parts old-school elegance and no-brainer Floridian getaway, Palm Beach manages to make every moment feel like a Slim Aarons photograph come to life.

Charleston, South Carolina

For Southern hospitality

A boutique hotel, a walkable city, pleasant weather—Charleston has all the fixings for a fine girls’ trip. But what really lands this South Carolina classic on our list is its unmistakable hospitality. Days unfold slowly, nobody is in too much of a rush here, and the culture seems to reward people who appreciate a leisurely cocktail or an unhurried meal. There is shopping along King Street, of course, but there are also opportunities to see museums and art galleries as well as explore the waterfront by boat.

The city’s hotel scene has quietly become one of the country’s best, too. Take 86 Cannon, for example: an intimate, adults-only retreat with just 10 rooms and suites, concierge service, and champagne upon arrival. Get the right-sized group together and it will feel like staying in your most fabulous Charlestonian friend’s mansion. Other favorites include The Nickel and the brand-new The Cooper, located right on the waterfront and complete with a private marina and 7,000-square-foot spa.

Sedona, Arizona

For transformative hikes and next-level wellness

For something truly rejuvenating, head to the gorgeous deserts of the American Southwest. Just over an hour from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Castle Hot Springs, an adults-only, all-inclusive wellness resort famous for its mineral-rich geothermal pools, farm-to-table dining, and private cabins that feel like a true escape. Just a bit further north is Sedona, an area famed for its dramatic red rocks, hiking, and ancient “energy vortexes,” places of natural beauty believed to promote healing and spiritual growth. Mii Amo offers three-, four-, seven-, and 10-night all-inclusive spa journeys that make planning a breeze. To fully immerse yourself in the landscape, book one of the 40 glass-encased “atriums” at Ambiente Sedona—its private roof deck is ideal for stargazing, or staying up a little too late with the girls around the fire pit.

Ojai, California

For SoCal living with a little mysticism

Even though it’s just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Ojai feels worlds away. The tiny valley has been an artistic and spiritual enclave for decades, and today is one of Southern California’s most appealing long weekend hot spots. The town itself is super walkable, filled with bookstores, ceramics studios, tarot readers, and cafés slinging some of the best matcha around.

The place to stay is the Ojai Valley Inn, whose expansive grounds include one of the region’s top spas and enough pools to ensure you’re never competing for lounge chairs. If you’re looking to impress your friends, book Casa Elar, the Inn’s standalone 10,000-square-foot private villa: It comes with its own private pool, a Bentley golf cart for getting around, and five heavenly suites. Fill the days with horseback riding, olive oil tastings, sound baths, or simply linger with a cocktail by the pool until it’s time for Ojai’s famous “Pink Moment”—when the Topatopa Mountains glow with a brilliant pink hue for 10 minutes at dusk. Pairs well with rosé and reminiscing with the girls.

Austin, Texas

For live music and river swims

Not every girls’ trip has to revolve around the spa. Sometimes, you just need to stay somewhere stylish, have a good meal, and ride a mechanical bull until last call. Austin’s creative energy over the last few years has proven infectious, too: think vintage shopping, natural wine bars, bespoke cowboy boots, and plenty of Texas swagger. The city is polished without trying too hard, and offers great hotels and restaurants without losing sight of the dive bars and live music spots that put this college town on the map. This part of Texas is renowned for its natural beauty, too, with an abundance of swimming holes and natural springs—try Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pool.

The hotel to book is the Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Collection, a Ken Fulk-designed gem where towering oak trees and 10 acres of sprawling grounds feel much further out of the city than they actually are. In other words: close enough to the action for some good old-fashioned fun, and far enough that you’ll have plenty of time and space to catch up with your crew.