We love a ~grand gesture~ in the Age of Ghosting and slippery situationships. Call us easy romantics, but thereâs something so deliciously Classico sauce about giving a gift that says, âHunny, Iâm down to clown for a while,â in the form of a trip to upstate New York to frolic in Ma Nature. Who cares if itâs with the Tinder lad who doesnât have a credit card? He has a carâand if romance is anything, itâs a steady blend of wheels, libations, and light math on how much you can get away with, in every sense of the word (sorry Mom; sorry god).
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If you need to plan a vacation under a grand, we got you. Hell, if you need to plan a vacation for even less, we have three trips you can even take for under $500. The best part about giving your sweetheart a trip, is that youâshould you chooseâget to come along for the ride. And that could be, specifically, a scenic ride down the California coastline in a tricked out RV that would make Jack Kerouac go, âDaaaaamn boiiii.â You might know exactly what youâre looking for, and have a mental vacay check-list of 1) mountains, 2) jacuzzis, and 3) pronghorns. (Of course we have Montana escapes for you. Weâre not monsters.) Perhaps you dream of bathing in a giant champagne glass at a kitschy, bucket list love resort, or want to ball out for a trip to Mexico to toast those buns. Whether youâre a Nitpicky Nancy or are straight up out of ideas, weâve got a bunch of trips, flights, and vacations that anyone would be stoked to receive. We love a kitschy roadside joint, because theyâre cool as hell, forever photogenic, weirdly sexy, and not as expensive as a heritage hotel or luxury resort. These three over-the-top hotels form a uniquely horny Freemasonâs Triangle across the United States; a splendor of shag carpet, disco balls, and themed rooms that are easy to get to if you live in California, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania (which is really just New York, obviously), but are worth the pilgrimage, regardless. The Madonna Inn was founded in the 1950s by a rich ass dude in San Luis Obispo, California who gave the candy-colored resort its own freeway offramp, horseback trails, a pool, tennis courts, and a whopping 110 rooms with themes like Jungle Rock and Just Heaven. Donât miss the swinging doll in the pink dining hall.
Keep it kitschy
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Photo: Tripadvisor
Book the Madonna Inn at Tripadvisor.The Dive Motel in Nashville, Tennessee, is what happens when angels swoop in to save a roadside joint and know just what to tamper with, and what to leave funky. The newest of the three hotels by far (it opened just a few years ago), it has over 20 themed rooms that sit somewhere between a David Lynch movie and a 1977 porn set with en suite, twin tubs. Plus, each room comes with their âParty Light Switchâ that activates a disco ball and groovy radio. ââBook a room at The Dive Motel at Tripadvisor.Bury us at Cove Haven. Please. Better yet, let us be the rhinestone-thonged ghost that haunts the champagne glass tub of their iconic love resort rooms, which have been around for decades and are still one of the nationâs naughtiest honeymoon, or whatever-moon destinations.
Photo: Tripadvisor
More on Cove Haven at Tripadvisor.
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Fulfill their treehouse fantasy
Photo: Airbnb
Willow Treehouse; sleeps up to 2, $382/night at AirbnbSometimes, you don't have the bandwidth to think tooo hard about daily activities, or search through a bajillion different rental homes to find a place to stay. That's why resorts do, in fact, rock for those of us who aren't natural born planners. Resort groups like Tafer and The Villa Group have all-inclusive-optional properties all over Mexico from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Vallarta, meaning you can choose your own adventure or hang out on-site for a long weekend, sippin' cocktails in the pool without a care in the world.
Are you a pool-and-frozen-drink type couple? Book a resort in Mexico.
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Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta, prices vary at TaferGet on the road and see Joshua Tree, Yellowstone (well, any national parks, really), or at least the Pacific Coast Highway. You donât even have to schlep to a trade show and learn about Winnebagos to do so these days, thanks to services like RVshare, which is the world's first (and largest) peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. Think Airbnb, but for RVs; all the comforts of a cushy and rentable home that you can unveil to your beloved, and say âLetâs go to Reno, Mama.â Is your hunny a design buff? Into mid-century aesthetics? Well, there are actually a load of famous architectural houses you can stay in across the country, including Eppstein House in Galesburg, Michigan by Frank Lloyd Wright. As one of the most iconic and prolific architects of the 20th century, Wright homes can be found all across the US, but it is rare to find one that is as well-preserved, and decorated with era-appropriated furnishings. This one has it all, and is also close to the lovely beach town of South Haven. Bring your design-loving sweetie here with a new sketchpad to show that you ~get~ them.
Yâall have Kerouac aspirations
Sleep in a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece
Photo: Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
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Frank Lloyd Wrightâs Eppstein House; sleeps 4, $495/night at AirbnbRoom to make the big mistakes, baby. Nothing like promising your boo the same vacation as Kanye West and Kim K, who helped turn Montana into the next Aspen (say this to your date; it will make you sound awful but worldly). Anyway, there are so many epic places to rent in Montana, including this condo in Big Sky that comes out to a mere hundred-ish bucks a night, and that mountain view.
If youâre craving wide open spaces
Photo: Airbnb
ââ2 Bedroom 2 Bath Ski Condo (sleeps up to 4), $109/night at AirbnbAnd if you plan on visiting Glacier National Park, the indigenous-led Sun Tours is an excellent guide. âThe tour concentrates on Glaciers' natural features and the relevance to the Blackfeet Indian Nation, past and present,â says their team, â[and] our guides are residents of the reservation, [and] knowledgeable in many facets of tribal history, culture, and lifestyle.â Book your spot (starting at $70/person) at Sun Tours
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Visit our planetâs best natural spa
Photo: Jonathan Percy via Getty Images
Find hotels near the Blue Lagoon on TripAdvisorYou know, you should probably do something other than slam tapas during your time in Spain. Weâre kidding of courseâwe just think you should have a sweet apartment to retreat to once youâre full of rioja and shellfish. This spacious apartment is smack dab in the middle of Barcelona, and boasts with an additional furnished terrace of 40m2 (which is⊠big). Whatâre you waiting for?
Make out on a Barcelona balcony
Photo: Vrbo
Furnished Terrace Apartment; sleeps 5, $187/night at VrboItâs a reTREEt, and you, your friends, and your satchel of various psychedelics are going to absolutely love it. Who doesnât want to take a load off and party in the desert? As one of our editors put it, âThe Coachella flower-crown people are really dominating the energy of Palm Springs at the moment, but that leaves the Mojave for the rest of usâthe real dingbats who need to stretch out and howl at the moon with one another.â That's why a trip to Joshua Tree is just the ticket for a combination of epic scenery, relaxation, and weird local haunts to check out. Go for a geo dome, (obviously).
A Joshua Tree retreat
Photo: Airbnb
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Abracadabra Dome, $324/night on AirbnbDonât have time to leave New York City for another state or country? Thatâs ok. We know itâs finance bro fall, and we know yâall are bust. Luckily, Ina Garten invented the Hamptons, which is but a blazered jaunt from the city, traffic permitting, and a great way to unwind just a short walk away from the beach. âThe charming cottage sits on several acres of land,â writes Plum Guide about the Springs, East Hampton home, âand features a picturesque deck overgrown with wisteria, a private gunite pool, and a large open floor plan.â How pastoral. Hereâs an idea: Spread out a picnic, with you as the saucisson. As the old adage goes, you canât spell charcuterie without cute would just be⊠snooze.
You donât have tons of time to leave New York City
Photo: Plum Guide
Wisteria Delight; sleeps up to 3, $276/night at Plum GuideHave you been together for eons? Then it might be time to give her a solo adventure, courtesy of Girls Vacation Club. The Black-owned traveling service is designed by women, and for women who want to explore together, whether youâre pulling up with a crew of galz or want to get to know someone on a weekend trip to Mexico, or a âLadies in Parisâ package. Smash that Ratatouille theme song all the way to the airport, baybee. Learn more about booking a trip on Girls Vacation Club. Girls Vacation Club is a Black-owned business selected as part of Black+, an initiative by VICE Media Group and The National Urban League to support Black Entrepreneurs with free marketing and mentorship opportunities.Bon voyage.
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story.
Give her the gift of a girls trip
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story.