Inspiring solo escapes for the independent traveler
Explore the world at your own pace with a solo getaway to these top destinations. | By Paul Oswell | October 3, 2023
Whether your usual travel partners are unavailable, or you just feel like asserting your independence, a solo vacation can be a great adventure. Set your own schedule and focus on doing and seeing things that make you the happiest. Here are some of our best solo getaway ideas:
Lively London: The British capital is alive with history and culture, as well as some of the world’s best restaurants
Super Santa Monica: Feel that healthy California glow as you explore the Pacific coast and hit the designer shops on Wilshire Boulevard
Sensational Seattle: Embrace the best of both worlds in the Pacific Northwest, with beautiful national parks and a dynamic downtown
London
The English capital is consistently heralded as one of the best cities to explore for solo travel. London has centuries of history and world-class culture and museums, as well as fine dining and the metropolitan energy of a global hub.
British cuisine competes on the world stage, with plenty of Michelin-starred options. CORE by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill celebrates exceptional English cooking with a contemporary ethos in a wonderfully elegant yet laidback dining room with an open kitchen. Meanwhile, the vibrant colors of The Lecture Room & Library at sketch, located in a converted 18th-century townhouse, are an evocative backdrop for a cutting-edge dining experience that adds to the city’s three-star Michelin portfolio.
London’s West End is known for filling its stages with exceptional theater, opera and music, but world-renowned performances can be found throughout the city. Treat yourself to a private box at a celebrated venue like the Royal Albert Hall, the National Theater or the Royal Festival Hall. Indulge your passions at one of London’s many museums, exploring with an expert private guide. If you love fashion and design, then the collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum will leave you starstruck. The National Gallery is home to some of history’s greatest artworks, while modern art’s brightest talents grace the halls of Tate Modern.
Walking tours also cater to all interests, from history and architecture to photography tours that show off the city’s best vistas and more. Your concierge at The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts can arrange private guided walking tours of Regency London for guests, as well as a VIP shopping trip to nearby Bicester Village with personal shopping services and a memorable buggy transfer to the train station included. London’s most iconic landmarks are close by, and you’ll be staying in the heart of Mayfair, one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.
Santa Monica, California
California is a glamorous, sun-kissed option for a solo vacation at any time of year, and Santa Monica should be at the top of your bucket list if you’re heading to the West Coast. Its allure is enduring, thanks to a beautiful coastline, a full menu of high-end dining and the sophisticated swathe of designer shops along Wilshire Boulevard.
The best way to start your solo escape here would be to sample some of that famed Californian cuisine, which typically blends innovation with fresh, health-forward ingredients and an ethical approach. Michelin-starred restaurants include Mélisse, where chef Josiah Citrin delivers seasonally driven excellence in an intimate 14-seat setting. For a stylish-yet-casual proposition, Rustic Canyon embraces the slow food concept and delivers a tempting menu influenced by the Levant, Moroccan and Pakistani cultural upbringing of executive chef Zarah Khan.
Joining a day cruise along the breathtaking Pacific coastline not only shows off the region’s natural beauty, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the company of like-minded shipmates. Or you can return home with a new look after some retail-focused self-care along Wilshire Boulevard, where you’ll find top-tier department stores and unique upscale boutiques.
To further explore the area at your own pace, the concierge team at Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts can arrange exclusive experiences around town, including private yacht charters, helicopter rides over Malibu’s coast, exclusive access to Getty Villa, horseback riding on the beach and more. Speaking of those golden sands, the hotel also has a beach butler who can enhance your beach time, an ideal activity for some solitude and tranquility.
Seattle
The Pacific Northwest has much to offer for solo travelers, and Seattle is no exception. It’s a friendly and progressive city, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.
To make the most of your alone time — and take in some of the best views of the region — consider a helicopter and hiking tour that flies over Mount Rainier National Park before dropping you off on one of the best trails in the park. Exploring the foothills and forests of Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park is also sure to leave an impression thanks to the serene atmospheres and jaw-dropping landscapes.
Seattle’s restaurant scene is continually expanding and building on the high standards set by institutions such as Canlis, a pioneering fine-dining restaurant since the 1950s and still an essential local experience. The Pacific Northwest's natural bounty is celebrated with flair and expertise at Altura, where elevated, seasonal Italian cuisine is enhanced even further with exceptional wine pairings.
If you’re interested in the city’s gastronomic history, don’t just wander through the famous Pike Place Market. Hire a personal guide who will introduce you to local vendors as you sample the variety of artisanal products, from cheeses to coffees.
Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts is a short walk from the market, and the hotel’s concierge can easily arrange a chef-guided tour. The Spa at Hotel 1000 also awaits with a full menu of treatments that will soothe and revitalize, while golfers can take a swing at the hotel’s professional-level TopGolf Swing Suite.
No matter which destination you choose for your solo getaway, taking time for yourself will always feel inspiring and invigorating. A solo trip can be simple or indulgent, active or relaxing, or any combination that suits you, your passions and the kind of memories you hope to make. Declare your independence and have a truly memorable solo escape.
Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.
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