The Best Weekend Escape Hotels in the World

The best weekend retreats deliver everything you need without the planning: easy access from a major city, nature that actually feels restorative, and plenty of on-site activities to keep you busy — if that’s your style.

Trade the daily grind for hot springs in Hakone, working farms in the Hudson Valley, or surf breaks on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. These are the self-contained getaways that do all the work for you, perfect for a luxurious weekend in the long days between the holidays and summer or an add-on to a larger international trip. Each has at least One MICHELIN Key, making it one of our Inspectors’ official selections among the most outstanding hotels in the world.

And while these top retreats tend towards the higher end of the price bracket, we’ve included a few additional selections in each region for a more affordable option.

Designed in teioku ichinyo style, where indoors and outdoors fuse together seamlessly. © Gora Kadan

A former Imperial villa turned ultra-refined ryokan where natural hot springs and kaiseki dining unfold in the hills beneath Mount Fuji.

When Tokyo’s sprawl becomes unbearable, locals flee to the hot springs of Hakone. Just 90 minutes from the city, Gora Kadan — once the summer villa of an Imperial family member — is a Three-Key ryokan within the boundaries of Hakone National Park. Contemporary architecture blends with classic Japanese design: think tatami mats, futon bedding and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Stone garden paths and warmly lit lanterns guide guests along timber-and-glass buildings to steaming communal onsens.

For those seeking privacy, each room features its own outdoor bath fed by natural hot springs. Onsite dining includes hyper-local kaiseki dinners and traditional Japanese breakfasts. Ideal for those seeking an authentic, high-end ryokan experience with natural thermal baths.

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Freestanding cottages are surrounded by orchards, meadows and forest at the base of the Catskills. © Wildflower Farms

What it’s all about: A peaceful countryside retreat boasting fields of wildflowers and miles of hiking trails, a two-hour drive from Manhattan.,

Auberge’s Hudson Valley resort proves that “working farm” and “luxury escape” aren’t mutually exclusive. Away from the pulse of New York City, 65 stylish wooden cabins unfold over acres of rolling hills covered in wildflowers — a pastoral antidote to the city’s concrete sprawl.

Slow farm life takes center stage: mornings start with yoga or feeding the property’s flock of sheep, followed by miles of hiking trails and hands on pasta-making classes. If “doing” isn’t on your agenda, settle into an Adirondack chair by a crackling firepit and watch clouds drift by. Farm-to-table dining features cocktails from classic to creative, while breakfast at The Great Porch comes with sweeping views of the Shawangunk Ridge. Ideal for families and wellness seekers wanting nature without sacrificing comfort.

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The hotel boasts a winery, tasting room and restaurant on property. © Delaire Graff Estate

A Stellenbosch sanctuary where a world-class African art collection overlooks vine-covered slopes with distant views towards Table Mountain.

An hour outside Cape Town, rolling hills of Stellenbosch vineyards give way to one of South Africa’s most luxurious wine estates. Delaire Graff blends a world-class gallery and ultra-private lodge retreat, with over 400 artworks from Laurence Graff’s private collection on display. Gardens feature more than 350 native plant species, rippling water features and reflective pools.

Each lodge offers complete privacy, with its own garden, heated plunge pool and unobstructed views stretching across vineyards to Table Mountain. The estate’s restaurant serves creative cuisine with a South African touch along with paired wines from the property’s own cellar. Browse the on-site boutiques or venture a short drive to explore dozens of wine farms. A perfect escape for couples, oenophiles and honeymooners seeking maximum privacy in wine country.

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Rooms are furnished with 18th‑century antiques and Marie‑Antoinette-inspired fabrics. © Airelles Château de Versailles

What it’s all about: A 17th-century residence on Versailles’ private grounds, where after-hours palace access and MICHELIN-Starred dining provide a royal experience.

Less than an hour ride from central Paris lands you in a living period drama. Le Grand Contrôle, a 17th-century mansion once home to a top official in the Louis XIV monarchy, is now a history buff’s gateway to Versailles Palace. Thirteen suites feature silk wall tapestries and crystal chandeliers, with unobstructed views of a centuries-old orangery. But the true appeal lies in after-hours palace access — guests move from spa, to MICHELIN-Starred dining, to the palace’s Hall of Mirrors without ever leaving the grounds or navigating crowds.

Despite the extravagance, the Three-Key property is remarkably family-friendly. Parents can leave little ones at the Kid’s Club to ride ponies while indulging in Sunday brunch or evening meals inspired by the Sun King’s banquets, brought to life by Alain Ducasse. Perfect for history enthusiasts and families seeking an immersive Versailles experience.

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A former mid‑century roadside motel on historic Route 2 is now a hip weekend hangout. © Tourists

What it’s all about: A modernist motor lodge reimagined as an art and nature lover’s basecamp in the Berkshires, with MASS MoCA a five-minute ride away.

There’s a reason art lovers are repeatedly drawn to North Adams — MASS MoCA is one of the country’s largest contemporary art museums, accommodating industrial-scale projects most museums cannot. Less than three miles up the road is Tourists, an upscale take on the classic American roadside motor lodge wrapped in the Berkshire Mountains.

A cluster of 19th-century houses feature design-forward rooms that feel more like a cozy home than a hotel stay. Beyond the art, the property serves as basecamp for enjoying the state’s highest peak — in hiking boots or on sleds, depending on the season. A real highlight is the stylish cocktail lounge, where visitors and locals gather over all-day snacks and complimentary live music.

Just three hours from Boston but worlds away from your classic New England getaway, Tourists is ideal for creatively inclined city dwellers seeking art and nature in equal measure.

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The entrance to Amomoxtli takes you over a 200-year old stone bridge framed by tropical garden. © Amomoxtli

A mountain-wrapped retreat where temazcal rituals and tequila tastings provide the exact opposite experience than the sprawl of Mexico City.

Ninety minutes south of Mexico City, mountains and misty air replace the capital’s frenetic pace. The town of Tepoztlán attracts those seeking spiritual awakening and others who simply want to swim beneath swaying palms. Amomoxtli offers an ideal blend of both: life centers around a chic pool with sunbeds and two jacuzzis, wrapped in views of Tepozteco Mountain. Afternoon meditations on the lawn complement traditional spa therapies in individual huts and an authentic temazcal experience — a prehispanic sauna ritual that is, for many, the main draw.

Volcanic stone pathways lead to a Casa Dragones tasting bar in the main house — one of only two venues in Mexico pouring this coveted small-batch tequila — followed by regional cuisine at the restaurant. Tortillas arrive hot off a burning comal, while garnishes come from the property garden. The bustling town of Tepoztlán is a 20-minute walk away, though you may never feel the need to leave. Appealing to wellness seekers and couples wanting spiritual renewal without sacrificing luxury.

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Ventana opened in the 1970s as one of Big Sur’s first luxury lodges. © Alila Ventana

What it’s all about: A romantic Big Sur retreat where ultra-luxe safari tents nestle in a 40-acre redwood canyon above the crashing waves of the Pacific.

The beauty of Big Sur lies in its incredible views and the range of available activities — from windsurfing to absolutely nothing at all. Three hours south of San Francisco, Alila Ventana bridges adventure and relaxation with its adults-only sanctuary nestled among towering redwoods. Designed for privacy and presented as a convenient all-inclusive package of meals and wellness programs, the main resort is sprinkled with Jacuzzis, tranquil pools and winding trails for hiking and cycling.

Couples can choose between design-forward suites with wood-burning fireplaces or glamping tents set slightly off the main resort grounds. Mornings begin with steam in the baths; evenings end with stargazing by the fire. The on-site restaurant features creative, locally sourced cuisine served on a treetop-grazing terrace overlooking the thundering Pacific. Attractive to couples seeking romance, privacy and a blend of adventure and relaxation.

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An upscale surf town escape where wellness and nature replace the party scene at Portugal’s most coveted surf destination.

Sunsets, seafood and some of Europe’s best surf conditions await at this clifftop retreat just 45 minutes from Lisbon. Arrive in a spacious, light-filled lobby opening onto a dreamy seascape; continue on to tranquil rooms encouraging you to set aside life’s daily stressors, if only for a weekend.

Equal parts revitalizing and relaxing, Aethos is far from a typical buzzy beach club. Activities center around wellness and adventure — rock climbing, steamy hammam sessions and yoga overlooking the ocean. Evenings are for lingering over freshly-caught fish while watching golden light fade over the Atlantic. Onda Bar draws a chic crowd interested in connection. Perfect for friends or couples seeking low-key coastal vibes with a wellness focus.

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A design-forward, lakeside escape 50 minutes from Milan with MICHELIN-Starred dining, custom wooden boats and a pool suspended over Lake Como.

Not everyone comes to Italy’s lake district for a grand old-world palace experience. Fifty minutes from Milan, Il Sereno offers modern Italian elegance on the shores of Lake Como in the quaint village of Torno. Thirty spacious suites each feature their own terrace and sweeping water views. The property’s signature 60-foot infinity pool appears to float directly over the lake — a striking architectural feat rivaled only by the floating walnut and copper staircase inside.

The hotel’s spa is tucked beneath century-old arches, while on-site MICHELIN-Starred dining showcases the region’s culinary excellence. Custom Cantiere Ernesto Riva wooden boats — built by a local family since 1771 — await at the hotel dock, ready to whisk guests across the lake with hand-made picnic baskets. On land, family-friendly walks transition to challenging hikes, with biking paths winding through the surrounding hills. Great for design obsessives and food-motivated travelers seeking contemporary elegance over traditional grandeur.

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A quintessentially British manor where MICHELIN meals and 12 acres of gardens offer total indulgence.

Tucked at the end of a long, ceremonial driveway just under two hours from London, Whatley unfolds as a classic English manor accented by manicured lawns and climbing vines over a stone facade. The storybook atmosphere lends itself to a weekend of indulgence, where moving from spa treatment to the private cinema is the norm. Outside are 12 acres of gardens and ponds for strolling. Exploring is optional, though the charming town of Malmesbury is just three miles away.

A far cry from the Cotswolds’ exploding wedding scene, Whatley is a classic British countryside enclave with 23 surprisingly spacious rooms and suites filled with light and soft colors. Onsite dining is particularly exquisite — the Michelin-Starred chef’s tasting menu is not to be missed, nor is a creative cocktail at atmospheric Grey’s. Great for couples seeking traditional English luxury and fine dining in a peaceful setting.

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Written by
Bethany Platanella

Bethany is a MICHELIN Guide contributor and travel writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, practicing yoga, and eating mangos. She’s a published author and a features writer for Mexico News Daily.