The March release of Harmony Korine’s crime thriller Spring Breakers saw Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez playing against type as two college-age co-eds who decide to rob a Floridian convenience store in order to pay for their spring break vacation. Calamity ensues as the party girls are left to the mercy of a drug lord named Alien, played by jack-of-all-trades James Franco. The film, of course, is pure fiction: celebrities have both the time and the funds to travel wherever they please. They don’t have to limit their trips to the spring – their non-9-to-5 schedules allow for yearlong tropical travel. And on that note, we promise that you will never, ever see Gwyneth Paltrow or Angelina Jolie holding up a health food store in order to take a weeklong siesta at Margaritaville. You have our word. But where should you go and who will you see if you want to live like a celebrity who’s spring breaking in style sans holdups? …
Cancun
Some of the wealthiest people in the world choose to have their springtime fun in the sunny Mexican city of Cancun. Topshop CEO Sir Philip Green threw one heck of a 60th birthday bash in 2012, flying celebrity friends and family members to the exclusive Rosewood Mayakoba resort. The haute crowd of VIPs included Leonardo DiCaprio, supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, Simon Cowell, Kate Hudson and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. Conversely, Jersey Shore alums Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) and JWoww (Jenni Farley) also opted to make Cancun their destination of choice for springtime shenanigans outside of the Tri-state area.
Where to Stay: Treat yourself to the Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite at the Rosewood Mayakoba, a 1,600-acre luxury resort on the Yucatan Peninsula, or make like the Jersey girls and get a room at the all-inclusive Beach Palace Resort.
www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba/
www.palaceresorts.com/beachpalace/default-en.html
Maui
Those looking for an idyllic getaway from reality opt to take a break on the picture-perfect Hawaiian island of Maui. What’s not to love? There are water sports, amazing sunsets, stunning scenery and – most importantly – rainbows! The celebrities who choose to relax in paradise include Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Hilary Swank and former Disney star Ashley Tisdale, who loves the island so much that she even named her dog in its honor.
Where to Stay: The jet set can afford to stay at the best hotels around, which is why they check-in to the tony Four Seasons Maui, which features a private concierge floor for those who require maximum privacy. The Grand Wailea, an award-winning Waldorf Astoria resort, is another favorite haunt of the A-list.
Miami
When in need of a quick springtime jaunt, celebrities often choose to stay local (and by “local” we mean “America”). The sultry party city of Miami is a great option for those who want to tan, dance and relax – and not necessarily in that order, either. Mary J. Blige, Cameron Diaz, Scarlett Johansson, Serena Williams and the Kardashian sisters are just a few of the big names who head south to enjoy spots like the Soho Beach Club by day and nightclubs like LIV, Mansion, Set and Wall by night.
Where to Stay: The Mandarin Oriental is a hit with the A-list for its hush-hush privacy policy, subtle and sophisticated décor, private beach and award-winning spa. Also try the hot Fontainebleau hotel, which makes celebrity stays more streamlined by offering services such as babysitters and language interpreters.
www.mandarinoriental.com/miami/
Anguilla
A-listers in need of R&R head to Anguilla to take a load off. This stunning Caribbean island offers privacy, a gorgeous landscape and some of the best beaches you’ll be likely to find; Shoal Bay East and Sandy Hill Bay are just two of the best. If you feel like being active – and today, who doesn’t? – you can indulge in water sports like snorkeling and water skiing. Sometimes, however, it is perfectly acceptable to lie in the sand and soak up the sun with a margarita in hand. Either way, you have options, which is why the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Chelsea Handler, Ellen DeGeneres, Sandra Bullock, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael J. Fox are fans of the tropical destination.
Where to Stay: The Viceroy Anguilla is easily the most beloved on-island hotel for its 8,000 square-foot oceanfront spa, sea center, three championship tennis courts, NBA regulation basketball courts, cooking classes, three pools and chic Kelly Wearstler designed interiors. www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/anguilla
St. Barth
What better way to celebrate the spring than with the crème de la crème of luxury vacations? St. Barts is one of the most expensive holiday spots in the world, which is why this Caribbean locale is as beloved by billionaires as it is celebrities during the spring why the A-list practically devours it. Located in the French West Indies, the tres petite island is a glamazon’s playground. It’s home to some seriously high-end boutiques, like Cartier, Chopard and Hermes, has white sandy beaches, intimate luxe hotels and fabulous French restaurants such as Le 88 and Bonito. Why wouldn’t the likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Rachel Zoe, Derek Jeter, Mariah Carey and Daniel Craig love it here?
Where to Stay: Though there are many amazing options on St. Barts, the place to stay since its construction in 1950 has been the storied Eden Rock hotel. The iconic property was once beloved by silver screen era Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes as well as socialite families like the Rothschilds and Rockefellers, and it still retains that sense of A-list superiority with its celebrity clientele today. www.edenrockhotel.com
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