Share The Article

Tired of the same-o, same-o vacations? Me too.

Right now, many Americans’ favorite beach getaway (Cancun) is blanketed with seaweed, with water reminiscent of the Tijuana River. Not exactly paradise, right?

Problems like these give travelers the chance to open their eyes to new possibilities; that’s when we discover the magic of travel rather than following the crowds to what’s deemed popular on the ‘gram.

You might be surprised to know of 4 U.S. cities with newly opened glamorous resorts that are likely completely off your radar, but that’s definitely to your advantage!

With less hype and far fewer crowds than the household names, you can treat yourself and loved ones to luxurious stays without battling for a poolside lounger this summer.

These are 4 surprising U.S. cities with new luxurious resorts this summer:

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

No matter if you’re a honky-tonker or not, there’s no doubt Dolly Parton is a living legend — so much so she has her own theme park right here in Pigeon Forge.

Dollywood is a draw for many Southerners looking for a fun, family-friendly escape when the kiddos are off for summer, but now there’s a new place to stay a stone’s throw away.

Even a seasoned traveler like me didn’t realize Embassy Suites has resorts, but newly opened Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort is the latest addition to Tennessee’s beautiful mountain getaway tucked away in the Smokies.

The Embassy Suites brand is already known for spacious rooms (hence the name), but this is one is amplified with extra resort amenities such as:

• expansive pools (indoor and outdoor)
• swim-up bar
• complimentary made-to-order breakfast
• rooftop bistro
• fire pits
• free self-parking

One of the first guests posted on TripAdvisor: “From beginning to end, STUNNING!”.

Davis, West Virginia

Anyone have $20 million laying around? Well, somebody did because that’s what’s being reported as the cost for West Virginia’s newest resort.

‘Mountain Mama’ is destined to become a vacation hotspot where you least expect it. One of America’s last frontiers for tourism is ready to boom with a mountain resort that just cut the blue ribbon in May and the hype is trickling down the holler like a Randy Travis song.

Rave reviews are already pouring in for Valley View Cabin Resort, which isn’t your average “resort” per se.

Obviously, West Virginia isn’t a coastal state but like John Denver’s Country Roads ode, the Blue Ridge mountains are so inviting it would seem like a crime not to book a luxe cabin here, therefore Valley View Cabin Resort was born.

Guests can choose between one or two-bedroom cabins in the high mountains of Canaan Valley and you’ll never want to leave with these homey amenities:

• full-size washer and dryer in every cabin
• private cabana with jacuzzi (fits up to 5 people)
• oversized front porch with sweeping views spanning 4 miles
• lightning-fast fiber internet
• smokeless fire pits (firewood included)
• king beds

Pass Christian, Mississippi

Mississippi is on a tear, especially the coast as more hidden gems are being uncovered, such as Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, and yes, Pass Christian.

Perhaps the latter more so than any other since a new resort with posh bungalows recently opened, making the perfect base for what’s become one of America’s trendiest states.

The chic rooms are ready to welcome you, but a report from the Sun Herald claims an Italian restaurant and cheese shop will follow suit.

Pass Bungalows is undeniably the talk of the town right now, described by Visit Mississippi as a ‘unique, micro-community vibe inspired by the charm of historical Pass Christian’.

Guests can book a variety of floorplans, from One-Bedroom Suites to two-bedroom Penthouses, and there are also specific ADA-compliant accommodations.

Sit by the courtyard’s glistening pool decked out with a tiki bar or plan a beach day at nearby Minority Beach with gleaming white sand.

Chula Vista, CA

If you’re booking a vacation in sunny San Diego, you have a new town to check out as Chula Vista is now a bona fide resort town for the first time.

Usually, a pass-through suburb on the way to the Mexico pharmacy runs, you can’t help but notice the towering Gaylord Pacific Resort & Conference Center towering over the blissful marina.

Despite being in a different city, it’s actually one of San Diego County’s most convenient resorts as it’s less than a 10 minute drive from the bustling Gaslamp Quarter and 15 minutes to Balboa Park, home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Those looking to escape the hordes of Arizona tourists this time of year should explore more of San Diego’s South Bay with a charming dupe the Gaslamp in Chula Vista’s Third Avenue and calmer waterfronts than the jam-packed beaches in San Diego proper.

In typical California fashion, don’t expect to score any great deals on rates, but this flashy resort comes with:

• a lazy river
• 4-acre waterpark
• 12 restaurants, including a sports bar a 75-foot tv
• 1,600 rooms (including 89 suites)
• Sweetwater Park with gorgeous bayside sunsets

Share The Article

We all earn paychecks for a reason—to make our landlords richer. Well, at least that’s how it feels to me at the beginning of each month.

But the leftovers are always saved to splurge on vacations and Cabo has long been Mexico’s gorgeous getaway for Americans to treat themselves in paradise.

Guilty. As. Charged.

Like any destination, though, there comes a time when the next up-and-comer starts to creep in its shadow, and that’s the case for Mexico’s new luxurious beach destination being hyped as the next big thing south of the border.

Spreading over 150 miles between the ‘Santorini of Mexico‘ and always-buzzing Puerto Vallarta lies a sprawling resort-laden region beginning to see an uptick in travelers with no signs of slowing down, especially with a brand new airport slated to open by year’s end.

That’s why there’s no better time to book a beach getaway to Costalegre while it’s still relatively unknown to the masses.

Discover Mexico’s ‘The ‘Happy Coast‘

Costalegre translates to “Happy Coast” and locals sure were happy until vacationers began flocking here, and it’s only just begun.

We initially featured Costalegre in January 2024 but new travel trends take time; there’s no such thing as instant ramen tourism.

That being said, 2025 may be the last year before it becomes mainstream as Puerto Vallarta continues to set records and obviously draws crowds year-round, it’s only natural for vacationers to seek out new shores.

One such place seemingly hidden in plain sight is Yelapa, a quick ferry ride from Puerto Vallarta for secluded small village with beautiful beaches and hole-in-the-wall, made-to-order eateries with ice cold cervezas, and hidden waterfalls within lush jungles.

This side of Mexico is dotted with small coastal towns that are a far cry from Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta in terms of being ready-made for Americans to land, hop aboard transit, and waste away for a week poolside and beachside.

Costalegre is more adventurous, and there are tons of delightful destinations to discover in such a vast region yet to become mainstream.

‘Santorini’ And ‘Amalfi Coast’ Vibes

Circling back to Mexico’s version of Santorini, the tail-end of Costalegre hosts the beautiful resort town of Manzanillo, which is essentially a diamond in the rough.

The rough part being it’s the only main destination deemed safe in what’s otherwise designated as Level 4: Do Not Travel by the U.S. State Department, but hey, maybe the head hancho will read this and realize it’s time for an update.

Let’s be clear. If Manzanillo were really unsafe for Americans, then why are there more direct flights from U.S. cities than there are domestic flights across Mexico?

In Manzanillo, you’ll find a whitewashed Santorini-esque cityscape towering over the pristine blue-water beaches, largely consisting of upscale resorts, such as:

• Barcelo Karmina (All-Inclusive)
• Gran Festival (All-Inclusive)
• Las Hadas by Brisas Manzanillo (5-star hotel)

But Santorini isn’t the only tagline to sell you on Costalegre. In fact, this region as a whole is commonly referred to as Mexico’s ‘Amalfi Coast’.

This eye-catching reference mostly refers to numerous vibrant, colorful beach towns offering luxe villas atop rugged coastlines such as Costa Careyas.

However, if you’re looking to splurge on the top resort in the region, look no further than one of Mexico’s most sought-after bucket-list-worthy resorts, Four Seasons Tamarindo in the tiny coastal town of La Manzanilla, not to be confused with nearby Manzanillo.

New Hype Surrounding Up-And-Coming Costalegre Beach Town

As more vacationers discover Costalegre, those 150 miles of scenic shores might feel as if they’re shrinking at times.

The good news is there’s new hype surrounding one yet-to-be-discovered beach town that is still considered a peaceful retreat tucked away from other notable Costalegre getaways.

Mexico News Daily, a trustworthy source for all things Mexico, claims the vibrant remote town of Punta Perula is the place to be.

Described as a secret paradise where ‘time slows’ and ‘margaritas flow’, I’m sold already, aren’t you?

This authentic hideaway has no ritzy resorts or world-class spas, but that’s the selling point as a tranquil escape with untouched shores after a rebuild from Hurricane Patricia in 2015.

So Long, Puerto Vallarta! Costalegre’s New Airport Opening In 2025

If you thought America is alone in its bureaucratic nonsense, think again. Opening a new airport is quite a task with countless hurdles to clear.

Initially set to open doors in 2024, the highly anticipated Chalacatepec airport is now slated to open at an undisclosed date by the end of the year.

Located about halfway between aforementioned destinations Careyes and Punta Perula, it gives travelers easier access to quieter coastlines away and without the hassle of flying into Puerto Vallarta, especially since travelers will begin paying new entry fees.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.