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Chic coolcations: Beat the heat on an elevated urban retreat

With climates as cool as their attractions, these three urban destinations prove that summer travel doesn’t have to include sweltering heat.

By Joanna Tweedy | June 6, 2024

If you love a summertime city break but wish you could dial down the heat, then consider visiting a destination where more moderate temperatures are guaranteed. This trio of trending coolcation cities are brimming with elevated cultural and culinary experiences, as well as great shopping and upscale hotels.

Seattle

Lapped by water and backed by mountains, Seattle’s Pacific Northwest setting means temperatures rarely nudge higher than the low 70s F (20s C), ensuring you can sightsee in absolute comfort. Highlights include the iconic Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture and a nature-filled day trip to Mount Rainier. For a curated taste of all things Seattle, your concierge can arrange a private guide to explore the historical Pike Place Market, home to the region’s specialty produce. Nearby Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts is the ideal home base for waterfront and city views, delicious cocktails in Rosebay and fresh seasonal seafood at the refined yet relaxed All Water restaurant. To further indulge and relax, The Spa at Hotel 1000 offers in-room treatments guided by your own spa butler, including an Emerald City bath inspired by local nature.

Amsterdam

For discerning travelers, the elegant Dutch capital is hard to resist, with its gabled architecture, quaint canals and highbrow attractions such as the Rijksmuseum. The odd rain shower aside, the northern European climate is perfect for strolling or exploring town on a bicycle like many of the locals. Comprised of six former palaces along the Herengracht canal, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam offers a truly deluxe home away from home with the exclusive boutiques, art galleries and restaurants of the Nine Streets district within walking distance. Back at the hotel, your personal concierge can book you a table at the two Michelin-starred Spectrum, helmed by chef Sidney Schutte, or afternoon tea in the Peacock Alley lounge followed by a harmonizing massage at the Guerlain Spa.

Dublin

There's something for everyone in the Irish capital, which boasts literary giants, Georgian architecture, traditional pubs and a pleasantly cool climate that pairs well with its walkable city center. Must-sees include the interactive museum at Guinness Storehouse, where Ireland’s most famous drink is brewed, and the 18th-century Old Library at Trinity College Dublin, where Oscar Wilde once studied. Settle in at Conrad Dublin, a lavish urban retreat overlooking the city’s National Concert Hall and located next to St. Stephen’s Green Park, a beautifully manicured park and garden in the middle of the bustling city. To optimize your stay, the concierge at Conrad Dublin can curate a seamless Dublin itinerary, including a guided tour of a whiskey distillery, private yacht tours and reservations at the hotel’s premium brasserie, The Coburg, or a table at Lemuel’s, a bar themed after “Gulliver’s Travels" with local Carlingford oysters on the menu.

Weather conditions can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy an urban stay. Take a coolcation and hot weather will never get in the way of your fun, ensuring you experience fine dining, premium shopping and sightseeing in total comfort.

Joanna Tweedy

Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.

Headshot of Author Joanna Tweedy

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