With more than half of the US vaccinated (and the number rising every day) there’s an impending sense of relief about the coronavirus pandemic.

While the end isn’t quite in sight, many who felt nervous traveling are now reconsidering that stance now that the CDC has recommended travel for fully vaccinated individuals.

“To say that travel is coming back is an understatement, it’s exploding. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since vaccine eligibility opened to everyone,” says Diane She rer, owner and founder of Beyond Travel, a boutique, luxury travel agency focusing on leisure travel.

Sherer says that after a year of no travel, her clients are looking for next-level trips in the US and abroad, though safety is still top of mind. “My clients want to feel safe and well-taken care of, and want their travel experience to be as personalized as possible,” she said, citing hotels going the extra mile to stand out such as offering add ons like evening cocktails and canapés, private transportation, or other services.

But is it safe to return to hotels? Dr. Philip Bretsky, who has a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology with an emphasis in Infectious Disease research from Yale University says yes.

“My short answer to hotel safety is an unequivocal yes, it’s safe, for those who are two weeks past their vaccination series,” he said. “I think they should feel entirely comfortable in a hotel and can go almost without restriction or concern.”

If that’s you, we selected some of the best hotels to book for your first hotel stay based on expert advice from Sherer, Dr. Bretsky, as well as various other travel advisors, agents, and experts. Keep reading for our picks plus more tips on how to plan travel this year.

These are the best hotels for your first post-pandemic trip, sorted by price from low to high.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa — Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, WI

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

Book Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $159/$304

Best for: Families, couples, groups

On-site amenities: 2 championship golf courses, three pools, horseback riding, seasonal adventure center featuring archery, disc golf, scooter rentals, volleyball, mountain biking, tennis, classic car rentals, and more

Pros: The resort is a steal, especially considering the incredibly varied array of activities and amenities. Bathrooms are large with soaking tubs and separate showers.

Cons: Despite being a AAA Four Diamond resort, those expecting ostentatious luxury may be disappointed; it’s comfortable rather than lavish and decor is on the plain side.

Less than an hour from Milwaukee and only an hour and a half from Chicago and Madison, the resort spreads over 1,300 acres on the glittering shores of Lake Geneva, making it particularly attractive to post-COVID travelers seeking fresh air and space to roam away from other guests.

Rooms are available both in the main lodge and in lakeside villas. Lodge rooms are large and clean, with golf course and lake views, TVs embedded in bathroom mirrors, and fridges. Villas, meanwhile, are pet-friendly and offer from studio to three-bedroom rentals.

Five restaurants offer a variety of options, and the resort has its own private FAA-approved airport with a 3,850-foot runway capable of both airplane and helicopter landings. For a slightly less glamorous form of transportation, there’s also a resort trolley with an app for easy ferrying around the property.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

La Cantera Resort and Spa — San Antonio, Texas

La Cantera Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas

La Cantera Resort and Spa

Book La Cantera Resort and Spa

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $239/$369

Best for: Golfers, families

On-site amenities: Two 18-hole championship golf courses, 9 restaurants and bars, 5 pools, 25,000-square-foot spa, tennis, restaurant by four-time James Beard Award honoree chef Andrew Weissman, activities ranging from paddle boarding to archery and family bingo

Pros: Located at the highest point in San Antonio, this wellness resort offers elevated amenities on an adults-only club floor, as well as children’s programs, and monthly activities. Texans receive a discount.

Cons: While the hotel is extremely strict about masking, guests report crowded pools and hot tubs. Some rooms are dated and could do with renovation.

La Cantera manages to be wildly appealing to a wide variety of travelers, from families to couples, and avid golfers. The giant property with 500 acres offers lots of room to distance and a wealth of activities and amenities for different types of travelers, making it ideal for a post-vaccination stay.

Each room is large, offering a view of Texas Hill Country’s rolling green hills. There are five pools, including an adults-only infinity pool, plus an adults-only floor dubbed SEVEN, with a personal concierge, champagne lounge, private check-in, and spa access.

Meanwhile, families can enjoy the kids’ pool with water slides and a splash area, an arcade, a roving naturalist camp, and a kids’ club.

The location makes it easy to explore greater San Antonio: Six Flags Fiesta Texas is less than a mile away, SeaWorld is a 20-minute drive, and more than 50 wineries are dotted throughout Hill Country.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Congress Hall — Cape May, New Jersey

Congress Hall - Cape May, New Jersey

Book Congress Hall

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $199/$495

Best for: Families, couples, groups

On-site amenities: 4 restaurants, music club, full-service spa, pool, complimentary beach service including chairs, towels and umbrellas, bike shop, 24-hour fitness center, kids adventure activities

Pros: The seaside resort is a delightful Victorian-era throwback and makes it easy to imagine you’ve gone back in time.

Cons: Some guests report beach chairs running out. The hotel’s historic charms mean there’s a dated as opposed to modern vibe (despite various renovations). Although it’s steps from the water, it’s not directly on the beach.

Billing itself as America’s first seaside resort, Congress Hall has been a popular oceanfront destination in Cape May, New Jersey since 1816. Enjoying a reputation as the summer White House for past US presidents, Congress Hall retains a delightful sense of history.

We’ve stayed here and found it delightful and the ocean location means lots of bracing, fresh sea air, which is especially appreciated by post-COVID travelers who’ve spent a year reminded of the importance of ventilation.

Rooms have a seaside cottage feel and are decorated with bright pops of color that contrast against historic accents like antique brass and heritage furniture. Some rooms offer canopy beds, private balconies, and soaking tubs.

The resort is steps from the ocean, with a convenient beach service that allows guests to book chairs and umbrellas and there are several standout dining venues.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

White Elephant — Nantucket, Massachusetts

White Elephant Lawn Nantucket

White Elephant

Book White Elephant

Category: Boutique

Typical starting/peak prices: $205/$1253

Best for: Families, couples

On-site amenities: 2 restaurants, spa, pool with cabanas and a bar, free bike rentals, and kid-friendly amenities such as board games, toys, and scavenger hunt with prizes

Pros: The chic waterfront resort enjoys an ideal location within preppy heaven Nantucket and manages to be great for families yet simultaneously romantic for couples.

Cons: Rooms are small and the trip to Nantucket requires a ferry ride onto the island, which is possibly an issue for those who easily get seasick.

A Grey Lady stalwart, the White Elephant has been beloved by in-the-know couples and families returning to Nantucket year after year. With an enviable location on the edge of town, this boutique hotel is mere steps from the harbor and close to the Whaling Museum, the Brant Point Lighthouse, and Children’s Beach.

We’ve visited in the past and can vouch that it more than lives up to its storied reputation. Like many picks on this list, the White Elephant’s waterfront location provides fresh air and a wealth of outdoor activities and amenities.

Rooms are a nautical dream, done up in cream and blue, accented by atmospheric hardcover books, fireplaces, bold patterns, and preppy prints. Suites feature harborview balconies, while garden cottages, residences, and lofts are also available.

The White Elephant comes alive during summer with lawn cocktails and fresh seafood dining.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

The Broadmoor — Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor

Book The Broadmoor

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $300/$555

Best for: Couples, families, singles, groups

On-site amenities: 17 restaurants, tennis, golf, bowling, rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding, 3 pools, spa, seasonal ice skating rink

Pros: The Broadmoor boasts an exceptional sense of place and a dizzying array of activities and amenities. It’s impossible to get bored, and travelers of all stripes will find something to do and enjoy.

Cons: While the resort is exceedingly spacious unless you stay at one of the remote glamping experiences, it’s hard to completely avoid other people as the property is so popular.

An exceptional stay is all but guaranteed at Colorado Springs vacation stalwart The Broadmoor, set at the base of Cheyenne Mountain.

Sprawling over more than 5,000 acres, we’ve stayed at the Broadmoor in the past and were bowled over by its ample charms, completely understanding why it’s the longest-running consecutive winner of both the Forbes Five-Star and the AAA Five-Diamond Awards. Its rugged mountainous location, tons of space, and an endless array of activities are what stir-crazy post-COVID vacation dreams are made of.

Spacious, elegantly decorated rooms and suites feature European decor, and mountain, lake, or golf course views, as well as robes, slippers, and plush bedding. Roomy cottages, residences, and brownstones also dot the property for larger parties. For the truly adventurous, there are also three indulgent glamping experiences.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Troutbeck — Amenia, New York

Troutbeck

Troutbeck

Book Troutbeck

Category: B&B

Typical starting/peak price: $330/$425

Best for: Couples

On-site amenities: Two US Open tennis courts, heated outdoor pool, library, spa, sauna, lakeside fire pits and hammocks, farm to table restaurant led by a Michelin-starred chef

Pros: The hotel oozes character thanks to the decor by renowned designer Alexandra Champalimaud, who happens to be the mother of one of the owners. With just 36 rooms, the feel is intimate, despite being spread across many acres.

Cons: Due to COVID, some guests report spotty and slow service.

Poets and dreamers will adore Troutbeck, a historic manor house located on 250 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley, two hours outside the city. Parts of the lodge date from the 1760s, while others were added in the early 20th century. Over the years, famed writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau have all found inspiration in the hotel’s leafy charms. And after a year of hunkering in place, the remote setting is everything a traveler still wary of other people could hope for. Plus, rest easy knowing there is full HEPA/UV air filtration throughout all public areas.

Rooms are sumptuous with King-sized beds dressed in Frette linens, in-room fireplaces, plus deep soaking tubs and walk-in showers with Malin + Goetz bath amenities. In addition to the hotel’s myriad outdoor pursuits, there’s also a 4,500 square foot fitness and wellness center with everything from guided meditation and yoga to massage and acupuncture.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa — Destin, Florida

The Henderson

The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa

Book The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak price: $350/$537

Best for: Families

On-site amenities: Full-service spa, 2 pools, 5 restaurants, rooftop bar, private beach, volleyball, kayaking, paddle boarding, bike rentals, and trails

Pros: All rooms have large balconies plus fantastic views of the gardens, pool, or the beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Cons: Although the beach is a stone’s throw away, guests must cross a street to reach it. There’s a $25 nightly resort fee, which does not cover beach chairs, beach towels, and umbrellas, and guests are not allowed to bring their own.

The Henderson’s Gulf of Mexico beachfront location overlooks one of the country’s best beaches in Destin, Florida. Destin’s white sand and crystal clear, turquoise waters complement the hotel’s long list of top-notch amenities, making it a natural choice for that first vacation back.

While the beach is obviously the star, the resort itself stands out with Destin’s first rooftop bar, and dining that runs the gamut from upscale to poolside. And speaking of pools, there are two, with an adults-only pool with hot tubs and a tranquil atmosphere, as well as a heated family pool with a splash pad, zero entry, and a lazy river.

COVID-19 policies are available here.

Terranea Resort — Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort

Book Terranea Resort

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $395/$695

Best for: Couples, families, groups

On-site amenities: 9 restaurants, 3 pools including an adult-only pool, golf course, tennis court, salon and spa, outdoor fitness classes

Pros: The sprawling 102-acre cliffside oceanfront resort is truly spectacular with stunning scenery and a wealth of amenities. Nearly all rooms have impressive beach views and trails lead from the property directly to the beach.

Cons: The popular kids’ club is temporarily closed due to COVID (Although children do receive an extremely well-stocked amenities box).

It’s hard to believe that Terranea is part of metropolitan Los Angeles as this remote resort easily feels like a cliffside Italian retreat.

Commanding 102 acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the resort is pristine and unpretentious, offering sweeping views, every amenity imaginable, and A+ COVID protocols. It’s beloved among Angelenos, and I’ve happily stayed here on numerous occasions, both with my entire family and solely with my husband for a romantic getaway. We’d return every month if we could afford it: it’s that special.

Despite being a bustling resort, Terranea has so much space that you can avoid other people almost your entire stay, particularly if you check into one of the socially distanced options on the expansive grounds. Accommodations range from rooms and suites to standalone bungalows, casitas, and villas. All rooms are large and come with L’Occitane bath products, robes, flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, and private balconies or patios with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific.

There are nine memorable restaurants and bars and the resort also makes its own salt, honey, and eggs sourced from an on-site chicken coop.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Isla Bella Resort — Marathon, Florida

Isla Bella Resort

Isla Bella Resort

Book Isla Bella Resort

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $399/$1039

Best for: Couples, families, groups

On-site amenities: 4 restaurants, 5 pools, private beach, spa, diving, kayaking, fishing, sunset cruises, bike rentals, rotating daily activities including bingo, scavenger hunts, jewelry making, trivia, and sandcastle building

Pros: The beachy resort is new, spotlessly clean, and bursting with activities to crowd your schedule from morning ’til night. Rooms are airy and light, overlooking the water and feature soaking tubs and rainfall showers.

Cons: Although the beach is beautiful to walk along, and hammocks are provided for lounging, some report it as difficult to swim in, making the pools a better option.

Set on 24 oceanfront acres in the Florida Keys, Isla Bella Resort is two hours from Miami and one hour from Key West, and a remote dream beachy privacy in a post-COVID world.

The resort features a private, milelong coastline with soft, white-sand beaches, as well as ample space for distancing from others guests.

Rooms and suites feature a soaking tub, rainfall shower, Molton Brown toiletries, and a private furnished outdoor living area. All accommodations overlook the beach, and many offer beachfront walkouts with the ocean literally steps away.

There are four on-site restaurants, and past guests rave after the dreamy decor, fresh food, and the relaxed, worlds-away vibe.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Hidden Pond — Kennebunkport, Maine

Hidden Pond

Book Hidden Pond

Category: Boutique

Typical starting/peak prices: $399/$875

Best for: Couples, families

On-site amenities: 2 pools, 2,300 acres of hiking trails, treetop spa, golf cart and beach cruiser rentals, fitness equipment, grills

Pros: This hotel goes all out for families with s’mores kits, educational trips, family flow yoga, and pool parties.

Cons: Some bathrooms only have showers and no tubs.

Set across 60 forest acres in tony Kennebunkport, Maine, Hidden Pond has a relaxed summer camp vibe, making it easy to forget you’re in one of the most upscale communities in America. After all, this is where the Bush family famously had their summer compound for decades.

Zoom
-weary guests looking to unplug and reconnect will feel particularly at home thanks to a chic wilderness feel consciously designed to melt stress away and encourage relaxation, with numerous nature-centric outdoor activities.

Treetop Lodges offer either studios or one-bedroom suites, while the incredibly stylish From Away Lodge comes replete with repurposed LL Bean fabrics, designed by four-time CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year nominee Todd Snyder. Guests who want more space can stay in 1,100 square-foot two-bedroom cottages.

On property, rent a golf cart or beach cruiser, take a guided nature walk, or enjoy the heated pools. There are also nearby sandy beaches care of Hidden Pond’s sister property, The Tides Beach Club. Locally, check out the Seashore Trolley Museum, explore the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, or sample Maine’s best lobster rolls.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

JL Bar Ranch — Sonora, Texas

JL Bar Ranch

JL Bar Ranch

Book JL Bar Ranch

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $399/$599

Best for: Couples, singles, groups

On-site amenities: Infinity pool, hot tub, spa, 24-hour fitness center, game room, music recording studio, sporting complex, putting green, horseback riding, private airport

Pros: Texan charm (and activities) abound — and since the resort is so large, social distancing is especially easy. Bonus: breakfast is free.

Cons: Because the resort is located in Texas, there is no mask mandate for staff or guests, which might make the particularly cautious feel uncomfortable. Meanwhile, those who dislike guns may not appreciate the resort’s extensive shooting facilities, including a long-range facility, three-story tower, and game hunts available.

A 13,000 acre working ranch in Texas Hill Country, about three hours west of Austin, JL Bar Ranch is an ideal for travelers seeking a luxurious and yet down-home retreat.

There’s no shortage of things to do on the ranch, which boasts such eclectic high-end amenities as a music recording studio, a sporting complex for skeet, trap, clay, and rifle shooting, and its own private corporate airport. And as you’d expect from a working ranch, horses feature prominently with various riding adventures available.

Guests who want a little extra social distancing are well covered: the property features two rustic main lodges, as well as 16 casitas with King or Queen beds, mini fridges, Keurig coffee machines, bathrobes, slippers, small sitting areas, plus walk-in showers and double sinks.

The ranch’s main eatery serves a rotating fixed menu and while the dress code is casual, guests delight in dressing up in cowboy boots.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Fairmont Miramar — Santa Monica, CA

Fairmont Miramar

Fairmont Miramar

Book Fairmont Miramar

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $489/$566

Best for: Couples, families, singles

On-site amenities: Beach club, barbershop, spa, cocktail lounge, yoga studio, dining, pool

Pros: The palm tree-laden Fairmont offers the only private bungalows available on LA’s Westside and is both kid- and dog-friendly. Guests have complimentary membership to the Fairmont Beach Club for the duration of the visit, and the hotel is walkable to downtown Santa Monica.

Cons: The beach is within sight, but on the other side of the Pacific Coast Highway, requiring a walk across the bridge or a shuttle ride.

Located on five lush acres just off Santa Monica’s famed Ocean Avenue, the Fairmont Miramar is ideal for travelers who want a beach getaway coupled with the delights of a city. We’ve been numerous times and discover something new to adore with each stay.

The Fairmont Beach Club is a cut above, with beach butlers to take your belongings and ensure lounge chairs, umbrellas, water coolers, and privacy screens are waiting. They’ll also arrange cocktails or lunch, in addition to paddleboards, boogie boards, and bikes.

The hotel offers 280 spacious rooms, some with Pacific Ocean views. Guests can expect ample luxury with Keurig coffee makers, a stocked mini-bar, and a generously sized bathroom with marble, plush bathrobes, and Le Labo bath amenities. For a splurge, check into one of 17 two-story bungalows with wraparound terraces and ocean views.

The hotel’s by-reservation-only al fresco cocktail lounge and restaurant are both celebrity hot spots.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort — Farmington, Pennsylvania

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Book Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $449/$770

Best for: Couples, singles, groups

On-site amenities: 2 golf courses, casino, spa, 9 restaurants, bike rentals, horseback riding, ziplining, Jeep-offroading, paintball, and more

Pros: Equal parts whimsical and luxurious, Nemacolin goes out of its way to make for a memorable stay. The majority of the resort’s amenities and restaurants are closed to the public, accessible only to guests or members.

Cons: Due to COVID, some guests have reported spotty room service and cleaning.

It’s no wonder Nemacolin is a favorite filming location of The Bachelor: the southwestern Pennsylvania resort exudes privacy and romance, ideal for couples seeking a change of scenery. Located on 2,200 acres in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh, this remote getaway comes with every luxurious trapping imaginable.

The resort offers five different types of accommodations, ranging from the uber-luxe five-star to merely lovely. Some rooms feature balconies with golf course views and resort shuttles help connect the spacious grounds.

Nemacolin’s nine restaurants span the gamut from elevated dining to casual fare and niches such as an ice cream parlor as well as a cigar bar.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Salamander Resort & Spa — Middleburg, Virginia

Salamander Resort & Spa

Salamander Resort & Spa

Book Salamander Resort & Spa

Category: Resort

Typical starting/peak prices: $500/$983

Best for: Couples, families, groups, equine-lovers

On-site amenities: Sprawling equestrian center for riding plus full-service spa, wine bar, fitness activities, 2 pools, 4 restaurants, in-room Pelotons available for rental

Pros: Rooms are large with gorgeous views of the rolling hills. Although the resort has a secluded country feel, it’s less than a mile from downtown Middleburg.

Cons: Considering the resort’s size, the pool is rather small.

On 340 acres of farmland in the middle of Virginia wine country, Salamander Resort & Spa provides a gracious (and socially distant) country escape dripping in Southern hospitality.

The resort caters to a wide variety of guests: parents can drop kids off at the Kids Night Out program, then connect at one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants. There’s also a chef’s table experience or cooking classes available.

Activities are plentiful, including numerous horse experiences at the state-of-the-art equestrian center such as pony painting, horse whispering, trail rides, half-day lessons, and horseshoe decorating. Or, try one of the resort’s camp-like offerings, including ax-throwing, archery, croquet, falconry, art classes, and bocce ball.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach — Dana Point, California

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach

Book Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $508/$859

Best for: Couples, families, friends, reunions

On-site amenities: 7 restaurants, private beach club, 18-hole golf course, 3 pools, spa, outdoor fitness classes, family programs, and socially distanced fitness center

Pros: Each of the 400 rooms and suites offer a large private terrace or patio and even the smallest categories are spacious. Rooms are also pet-friendly.

Cons: The $50 resort fee is steep, although Hilton Diamond members receive a $50 property credit, and the fee includes free Wi-Fi. Parking is also expensive, at $60 per night.

In sunny Dana Point, the beloved Monarch Beach Resort has been rebranded as the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club and offers a sun-soaked combo of relaxation and elegance.

Guests are spoiled for choice at the AAA Five-Diamond resort with a bevy of restaurants, shops, and activities, while many rooms feature Pacific Ocean views. Decor is tasteful and chic yet unfussy, while bathrooms are large with marble tubs, walk-in showers, and double vanities. Some patios boast fire pits (with s’mores kits offered) and rooms are well-insulated, protecting from noise outside.

Even the most anxious travelers can feel calmed by the resort’s COVID policies, which are informed by public health and epidemiology experts at the University of California Irvine and certified by the California Hotel & Lodging Association, with international certification from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

Four Seasons Resort Wailea at Maui — Maui, Hawaii

Four Seasons Resort Wailea at Maui, Hawaii

Four Seasons Resort Wailea at Maui

Book Four Seasons Resort Wailea at Maui

Category: Luxury

Typical starting/peak prices: $790/$1080

Best for: Couples, families, friends, reunions

On-site amenities: 3 pools, spa with oceanfront treatment huts, 4 restaurants and bars, tennis, whale watching, surfing, paddleboarding, canoeing, kids’ club

Pros: An exceptionally beautiful resort in one of the most gorgeous areas of Maui. Each room features a HEPF filtration device, as well as individual state-of-the-art air purification systems that sanitize the air once every half an hour. Every room has a private terrace and there is no resort fee. Cabanas are complimentary.

Cons: While Wi-Fi is free, an upgrade to better service is expensive, at $20 per day.

For Hawaiians (or mainlanders eager for their first post-COVID plane flight) Four Seasons Maui offers a breathtakingly beautiful oceanfront resort in Maui’s coveted Wailea area.

Although it’s a pricey splurge, staying here is worth every penny, especially because so many activities and amenities are included in the price, including outrigger canoeing, free private cabanas, surf lessons, and poolside edible treats. Normally, these add-ons would quickly rack up charges at other top resorts. There’s also no resort fee: a rarity.

The pools are sublime, with an adult pool that has underwater music and Missoni cabanas, while the family pool has a waterslide and first-come, first-served cabanas.

Every room, regardless of category, has a terrace or patio, most with ocean views. The resort offers free car service around the Wailea resort area, which includes a shopping center, golf course, and several other popular hotels.

COVID-19 procedures are available here.

More expert tips on what to consider when choosing a hotel

So once you are ready to travel again, what makes that first post-COVID hotel stay a good pick? Here are more tips from experts on what to look for before you book.

Health and safety

First and foremost, make sure the hotel feels safe and promotes stringent new cleaning policies and safety protocols. Also look for things like a location that embraces the outdoors with wide-open spaces, outdoor dining and amenities, and perhaps even special in-room filtration devices.

McLean Robbins, travel consultant and owner of full-service travel agency Lily Pond Luxury, said, “Today’s traveler expects far more than simply a cleaned and sanitized room and hotel staff following the proper masking and hygiene protocols; these are the expected qualifications. How are hotels going above and beyond to service their guests while still keeping safety at the fore?”

Victoria Zindell of Luxury Ventures Travel, a full-service travel agency specializing in customized experiences for leisure travelers, says many of her clients are going for secluded resorts and are especially conscious of safety protocols. “We are still receiving a ton of last minute requests for getaways that offer wide open spaces and private stand-alone accommodations, which I think we all expect will continue for the foreseeable future,” she said.

Zindell added, “I think it is clear that all travelers would be more at ease with consistent protocols and transparency while being reassured that the place where they are booking their travel plans are doing everything in their power to maintain the safest, cleanest environment possible with a specific actionable plan in place.”

Bucket list travel experiences

Once confident in a hotel’s approach to safety, look for a hotel that delivers on that wow factor we’ve all been dreaming about. Think marquee restaurants helmed by next-level chefs, an abundance of activities beyond just a pool (although a pool is a must, too!), beautiful locations, and elevated amenities.

“Our clients are going for those bucket list trips sooner rather than later, after feeling restricted for so long,” Zindell said, with clients eager for trips both internationally and across the US.

While many travelers are already looking ahead to 2022, last-minute and summer trips are also popular, with people yearning for space, alone-time, and truly special options, says Zindell.

“Escapism travel, as we have referred to it, is a trend we are starting to see. For example, parents who have been at home with their kids all year, are planning time away with those they have not been able to spend quality time with, such as close friends.”

Stay within your comfort zone

And for those travelers who remain anxious despite updated CDC directives, Robbins recommends starting small.

“Travelers must realize that the pandemic isn’t over just because they’ve elected to vacation, and I encourage my clients to only travel within their comfort levels,” he said.

“It may sound obvious, but perhaps try a drive-market staycation before hopping on that flight to Florida or Hawaii. If concerned about group dining, book a home with a chef or a large suite with a dining space. The world ‘out there’ is much less scary once you begin re-living in it, but it’s my job to walk the fine line of helping translate guest expectation and property realities to ensure that travelers are comfortable and feel secure when they arrive to their destinations.”

FAQ: Safe travel during COVID

Is it safe to travel?

The CDC recently said the fully vaccinated can travel with low risk, although they advise continuing to wear masks, social distance, wash hands, and exercise caution. Travelers should also be mindful of their personal risk level, which is bound to vary: some states have higher rates of variants and lower rates of vaccinated people, while others have increased restrictions or quarantine protocols for incoming travelers.

Regardless of your final destination, it’s important to remember that the pandemic is not over, so following all local and national guidelines is critical.

Of course, it’s impossible to completely guarantee that travel is safe.

Is it safe to stay in hotels?

While vacation rentals continue to be popular, hotels are now open and poised to make a comeback as travelers become vaccinated and feel comfortable interacting with others again.

However, you may encounter other people in hotel common spaces such as lobbies, gyms, pools, spas, restaurants, and bars. Thankfully, experts said that with added caution, it is safe to stay in hotels. Just remember to follow CDC guidelines and wear a mask in public, wash hands and use sanitizer, and follow social distancing.

And for those who are still on the fence about returning to travel, Dr. Bretsky thinks hotels are generally safe if you are two weeks past your final vaccination.

“From masks to barrier protection, plus limiting interactions with staff, and imposing restrictions on indoor bars and dining, it would be highly unlikely that one would acquire COVID-19 during a hotel stay,” said Dr. Bretsky. “I think I’d still stay out of the fitness center, but a well-deserved dip in the hotel pool at the end of the travel day is a definite yes, and using the spa would be reasonable, as would eating in an outdoor or well-ventilated setting.”

Dr. Bretsky does, however, generally recommend a more cautious approach for the unvaccinated: stricter social distancing, avoiding groups of people, remote check-in, and even ordering food into your room. And, of course, masks are a must.

“Those who are not yet vaccinated may want to take more precautions such as room service and strenuously avoiding congregate areas. One such area to avoid might be the check-in desk,” he said.

The unvaccinated should also avoid unnecessary housekeeping, Dr. Bretsky said, though, “Most of the concern about surface transmission has been debunked. Any viral particles that remain from a prior guest — gross to think about, but it happens — would be inert and not infectious.”