Planning an epic girlfriend getaway? We found 14 beaches, islands and coastal enclaves where you and your ladies can relax, make memories, and catch up.
Round up your BFFs — You and your crew are due for some quality time in paradise. | Shutterstock
ByErika HuenekeNov. 27, 2018
You've been talking about it for ages — planning that epic girlfriend getaway. It's time for less talk and more action. We found 14 beaches, islands and coastal enclaves for your perfect women's weekend. From spa treatments and sunset sails to wineries and wellness classes, here's where to relax, make memories, and catch each other up on months of stories.
Want to walk in the footsteps of legends like Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth Taylor? Lead your ladies to Hotel Excelsior, a 1913 royal villa–turned–luxury hotel in the culturally rich city of Dubrovnik. The property is a short stroll from the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town, brimming with historical churches, monasteries, museums, galleries, markets and boutiques. After all that exertion, give your feet a rest on an Adriatic cruise, on a Mediterranean beach, or at nearby vineyard. | ShutterstockCreate pono (balance and harmony) with your gal pals at Maui's Montage Kapalua Bay. Immerse your troupe in island heritage with hula sessions, lei-making classes and ukulele lessons, and refuel with fresh seafood and local produce at Cane & Canoe, designed to evoke a traditional Hawaiian gathering place. More quality time is on deck at the adults-only pool (rent a cabana for even more privacy) and at the 30,000-square-foot spa. | ShutterstockPlay princesses in paradise at the pink turreted Great House of Cobblers Cove. Keep things cosmopolitan with traditional English tea, served every afternoon for more than 25 years. The staff can also arrange a guided stroll through the island's tropical gardens or a heritage tour of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, a UNESCO site since 2011. Of course, this is the Caribbean, so bring your swimsuits for snorkeling with sea turtles and bonding on the white-sand beach. | ShutterstockOn a girlfriend getaway, capturing heart-accruing Instagram photos comes with the territory. Take your group shots to the next level on a Santorini Photo Safari among the whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches of Oia. Sleep like Greek goddesses at Andronis Boutique Hotel, a centrally located home base for caldera cruises, walking tours along ancient footpaths, and excursions to the island's boutique wineries. Opa! | ShutterstockGather your gang for moon bathing on top-rated Grace Bay Beach: Despite the eyebrow-raising name, the ritual simply involves mini spa treatments and after-dinner drinks. Where to try it? At The Palms, Turks and Caicos, where the swim-up bar is HQ for cocktails and convos. Best part: Everyone can spread out in a one-, two- or three-bedroom suite with a full kitchen — let a chef do the cooking so you have more time to catch up. | Courtesy The Palms, Turks and CaicosPlan a girlfriend getaway without falling off the health wagon at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, home to South Florida's biggest spa. Start the day with sunrise meditation, and keep the good decisions coming with more than 200 weekly fitness classes, including slow-flow yoga, salsa dancing, boxing, belly dancing and more. Reward yourselves with spa treatments, sauna sessions, and seasonal cuisine at The Strand Bar & Grill. | ShutterstockDealing with differing opinions and need a crowd-pleaser? ¡Viva México! At the all-inclusiveRoyal Playa del Carmen, the wild child in your crew can live it up with tequila tastings and nightly entertainment, while serenity seekers can find bliss at the spa. Come together for "lobster jazz," a seaside soiree featuring a four-course lobster dinner and a live jazz band. | ShutterstockMermaids at heart should flip their fins to Sanibel and Captiva Island, called the shelling capital of the world. Beachcomb with your best buddies, and soak in the seascape on Cabbage Key, where no cars or even roads sully the natural beauty. Reconnect in a cottage at Cabbage Key Inn, the island's only accommodations, and have the staff pack box lunches for a girls' day out on Cayo Costa's undeveloped beach. | ShutterstockDon't sweat it if someone in your circle doesn't have a passport: Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and it's (mostly) back in business after the disastrous 2017 hurricane season. Sterling service is the calling card at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, where vacationing ladies get tycoon treatment in the form of fine dining, a high-end casino, and the island's only hammam (Turkish bath). | Courtesy Condado Vanderbilt HotelIf your squad is keen on spoiling yourselves silly, the all-inclusiveHard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is the place to do it. Order room service around the clock, enjoy ladies' night at Oro nightclub, and drift through an extensive hydrotherapy spa circuit. Back in your spacious guest room, take advantage of a personal liquor dispenser and a record player for listening to your favorite classics on vinyl. | ShutterstockGranola girls dig the eco vibe at Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel, a one-hour drive from Los Angeles. As the SoCal sun burns off the morning fog, crunchy cliques can be seen doing seaside yoga, hiking along the coast, peering into tide pools, and trying their hand at falconry. After dark, order a round of jalapeño margaritas and cozy up by the outdoor fire pits at Nelson's. | Courtesy Terranea ResortLife slows down on Guana Island, a private-island resort with just 18 suites. There are no phones or TVs. Fruit makes an easy journey from the onsite orchard to your plate. Exercise equals croquet and kayaking. And nighttime entertainment takes the form of a serene sunset sail with your sisters. Bonus: All meals — and wine! — are covered in the room rate, so there's no fussing about dividing up the bill. | Courtesy Guana Island
Celebs, from Jennifer Aniston to the cast of Pitch Perfect 3, frequently fly to Los Cabos for their girlfriend getaways; follow suit at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort. The all-inclusive resort keeps chicas busy with a full roster of activities, from art walks and water aerobics to cooking lessons and karaoke. Simplify planning with the Girlfriend's Getaway package, which includes mani-pedis, mimosas and more. | ShutterstockBocce ball, bikes and boutique shopping, oh my! With just 21 individually decorated guest rooms, Chebeague Island Inn is a study in simplicity. After taking the 15-minute ferry ride from Portland, Maine, the outside world disappears, and all that remains is a time capsule of friendly neighbors, lawn games and nightly bonfires. For uninterrupted gab sessions, settle into wooden sling chairs on the beach and divulge until dusk. | Courtesy Chebeague Island Inn
