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SHOPFEST / THE STAY EDIT

A beautiful place.
A considered stay.

Ten ways to choose a trip with more intention. Exact hotels, real photographs and the small booking details that shape the whole experience.

Kiawah River with marsh grasses and a dock at The Dunlin
Photo: The Dunlin, Auberge Collection ↗

TEN CONSIDERED DIRECTIONS

Where would you
rather wake up?

Choose a destination or compare two kinds of stays. These are researched planning guides, not firsthand hotel reviews.

THE HOTEL & STAY DIRECTORY

Eighteen places
to consider.

Follow an exact property or brand page, then choose your dates, room type and full party. Official information checked November 1, 2026.

Kiawah River waterfront with marsh grasses, a dock and overhanging tree branches at The Dunlin

Johns Island / Kiawah River, South Carolina

The Dunlin, Auberge Collection

Riverside setting on Johns Island, about 20 miles from Charleston per hotel.

What to check

A river and marsh retreat rather than a hotel directly on an ocean beach. Beach drops are seasonal and carry an additional fee; verify arrangements for your dates.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Dunlin, Auberge Collection
Timber-framed Great Porch lounge with a circular firepit and meadow views at Wildflower Farms

Gardiner, Hudson Valley, New York

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection

Freestanding cabins, cottages and suites on a rural property in Gardiner.

What to check

Room choice matters for a family: a standard Bower Cabin sleeps two, while the connecting two-bedroom cottage is listed for six. Outdoor pool and some recreation are seasonal; not a fully programmed children’s resort.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection
Illuminated white columns and yellow facade of Congress Hall against a deep blue evening sky

Cape May, New Jersey

Congress Hall

Historic seaside hotel in Cape May’s Historic District, at 200 Congress Place.

What to check

Compare the exact room occupancy and seasonal pool, beach and holiday schedules. This is the central hotel choice rather than a private farm cottage.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Congress Hall
White Lilac Cottage with a patio, stone chimney and enclosed green lawn at San Ysidro Ranch

Montecito / Santa Barbara, California

San Ysidro Ranch

Individually decorated cottages in landscaped gardens; studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodations.

What to check

Ask about the precise dining inclusions, cottage layout, requested bedding and accessibility before booking. Its foothill setting differs from a beachfront hotel.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: San Ysidro Ranch
Light-filled bedroom at The Cooper with white bedding, a woven headboard and water visible through the window

Charleston, South Carolina

The Cooper

Waterfront hotel at 176 Concord Street on the Charleston peninsula.

What to check

Choose this for a city waterfront base. Ask for the exact harbor-view room category; the hotel also lists city views. Do not describe a riverside photo as a private ocean beach.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Cooper
White Beach Plum Farm cottage with a red door and picket fence beneath a large leafy tree

West Cape May, New Jersey

Beach Plum Farm & Cottages

Working farm with private cottage stays, market, kitchen and farm dinners.

What to check

A farm stay near the shore, not beachfront accommodation. Orchard Pool is exclusive to cottage guests; dinners, farm operations and shuttle access have their own schedules.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Beach Plum Farm & Cottages
Outdoor pool and rows of loungers overlooking the waterfront and docks at The Pridwin

Shelter Island, New York

The Pridwin Hotel and Cottages

Waterfront Shelter Island property with main-hotel rooms and separate cottages.

What to check

Allow for a ferry transfer. Hotel FAQ says North and South Ferries do not take reservations and are cash only; verify with operators before travel. The small beach directly in front of hotel is affected by the tide.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Pridwin Hotel and Cottages
The Shelborne name on a curved Art Deco facade beside palm trees

Miami Beach, Florida

The Shelborne By Proper

Oceanfront hotel at 1801 Collins Avenue.

What to check

Check the full booking total: FAQ lists a daily resort/destination fee and separate valet charge. Extra beds and room occupancy still need confirmation; child-stays-free wording does not guarantee a room will fit five.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Shelborne By Proper
Santa Monica Proper rooftop pool with loungers and pale umbrellas

Santa Monica, California; brand also has Austin, Downtown LA and San Francisco

Proper Hotels / Santa Monica Proper

Santa Monica property at 700 Wilshire Boulevard.

What to check

Santa Monica Proper is a short walk from the beach according to family page, not an oceanfront property. Confirm connecting rooms are guaranteed and the layout permits your whole family before paying.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Proper Hotels / Santa Monica Proper
Wood-paneled reception desk and ram sculptures in the White Elephant Aspen lobby

Aspen, Colorado

White Elephant Aspen

Boutique Aspen hotel with rooms and suites, Lola 41 restaurant, outdoor pool and hot tubs.

What to check

Shuttle-to-slopes does not mean ski-in/ski-out. Aspen Snowmass should not be implied to be covered by Epic Pass; verify ski tickets separately. Confirm room occupancy and winter pool/shuttle operations for your dates.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: White Elephant Aspen
Guest-room sitting area at The Newbury Boston

Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts

The Newbury Boston

At the intersection of Newbury and Arlington Streets beside Boston Public Garden.

What to check

A required residential fee is listed separately from the room rate. Ask the hotel to confirm occupancy, any rollaway charge and connecting-room arrangements before booking.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Newbury Boston
Wood-paneled lobby with seating at The Atlas Hotel

Allston, Boston, Massachusetts

The Atlas Hotel

40 Western Avenue at Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus, across from Harvard Business School.

What to check

Allston is a different base from Back Bay. Map the specific campus or attraction you need; do not book by the general Boston label alone. Confirm the exact room configuration for children.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Atlas Hotel
Deluxe King bedroom at Fouquet’s New York

Tribeca, New York City, New York

Fouquet’s New York

Located at 456 Greenwich Street in Tribeca.

What to check

Tribeca suits a downtown itinerary; it is not a Central Park-front location. Reserve spa and dining separately and confirm whether facilities are included in your particular booking.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Fouquet’s New York
Guest suite sitting area at The Joule Dallas

Downtown Dallas, Texas

The Joule

1530 Main Street in downtown Dallas, in a revitalized Neo-gothic building.

What to check

Reserve spa treatments and cabanas separately. Confirm pool access for your dates rather than treating the architectural photo as a guarantee.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: The Joule
Panoramic park-view suite sitting area at Park Lane New York

Central Park South, Manhattan, New York

Park Lane New York

Central Park South between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

What to check

Families should reserve a category with the required occupancy or confirmed connections, not rely on an extra bed. Confirm mandatory destination fees and the exact view category.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: Park Lane New York
Timber-beamed clubhouse lounge at AutoCamp Catskills

Multiple US destinations; this edit focuses on Catskills, New York

AutoCamp

Brand offers distinct locations including Catskills, Cape Cod, Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Zion; facilities differ by location.

What to check

Airstream is not shorthand for space for a family of five. Match the specific category’s occupancy, bathroom arrangement and seasonal conditions. A nightly amenity fee applies at Catskills.

Explore via ShopMyRead the hotel brand guide →Photo: AutoCamp

THE REST OF THE TRIP

A room. A route.
A good day out.

Hotel groups, booking platforms, passes, tours and transport. Compare the exact booking terms; a service’s inclusion here does not guarantee commission eligibility, loyalty benefits or availability.

Hotel group

Hyatt

Compare a specific property's room layout, rate and World of Hyatt eligibility.

Before booking

Hyatt's terms classify third-party online retailer room rates as ineligible. Do not promise points or elite credit on an OTA rate, and verify the selected rate against current terms.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Marriott

Hotel and resort choices across Marriott brands; compare the exact property and rate.

Before booking

Marriott lists third-party channel bookings among non-qualifying rates. A Bonvoy number added to a booking does not by itself make the rate eligible for points or benefits.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Hilton

Search the individual Hilton property and compare room types and total cost.

Before booking

Hilton says third-party website bookings do not earn Hilton Honors Points, stay or night credits or additional member benefits. Compare this cost against the exact OTA offer rather than assuming the cheapest headline rate is equivalent.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

IHG Hotels & Resorts

Compare specific IHG properties and room rates before deciding on a booking channel.

Before booking

IHG's qualifying-stay guidance excludes ordinary OTA bookings. Authorized travel agents are a distinct category, so do not claim every booking outside IHG's website is ineligible.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Booking platform

Expedia

Compare hotel, flight, rental car and package options with the same traveler details.

Before booking

Expedia's terms say each travel service in a package keeps its own rules and restrictions. A bundle is not a promise that every component has the same cancellation terms or that the combined total is always cheaper.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Vrbo

Compare the whole-home layout and final booking cost rather than bedroom count alone.

Before booking

Vrbo's house-rule tools specify maximum overnight guests including adults and children, and whether children are allowed. Enter the full party and read house rules, total fees and the individual cancellation policy. A listing with several beds is not automatic permission for a larger party.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Hotels.com

An additional route to compare the exact same hotel and room conditions.

Before booking

Refundability and cancellation charges follow the selected provider rules and rate. Confirm the displayed deadline and total before payment; the site's free-cancellation filter does not make every rate refundable.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Booking.com

An additional hotel-booking route named in ShopMy’s current travel guide.

Before booking

Match the exact property, room occupancy, included extras and refund conditions. Current commission eligibility must be checked for the selected link.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Experiences

ResortPass

Pool, spa and other hotel day access without an overnight reservation.

Before booking

A regular day pass is not a hotel room. Read the exact product inclusions, hours, children's admission rules and property-specific cancellation policy.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Epic Pass

Choose a ski pass according to resorts, dates, restrictions and intended ski days.

Before booking

Season passes are generally non-refundable except qualifying events in the applicable policy. Epic Coverage is not an unrestricted change-of-mind refund and partner-resort closures do not trigger its resort-closure coverage. Compare lodging, lessons, rentals and transport separately.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMyCompare Epic Pass types →Choose an eligible resort first. This is not a lift product for every destination in this collection.

Viator

Compare the exact tour, provider, duration, inclusions and meeting point.

Before booking

Read the product-specific cancellation policy and local start time. The common 24-hour policy is not universal; products may have different refund rules and optional additions.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Transport

Hertz

Match the vehicle and luggage space to the actual party, route and rental location.

Before booking

Age requirements, payment eligibility and available vehicle classes vary by location. Check additional-driver authorization, any young-renter charge, one-way return, fuel, tolls and optional products in the specific rental terms. Do not publish one global minimum age or fee.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

Virgin Atlantic

Compare cabin, fare family, baggage and seating for the chosen route.

Before booking

Economy Light does not include a checked bag; Classic and Delight include a checked bag under the published allowance. Advance seating and refund/change conditions depend on the selected product and fare. Do not assume that a higher fare family is fully refundable.

Official guidance ↗
Explore via ShopMy

A BETTER BOOKING QUESTION

Are you comparing
the same stay?

Match the dates, room category, permitted guests, included meals and cancellation conditions. Then compare the full price, mandatory charges, parking and the extras you plan to use.

Hotel loyalty terms and affiliate eligibility are separate. A rate offered through an online travel agency may not include the points or benefits available with a qualifying direct reservation. Check the relevant program’s current terms.

Shopfest may earn from eligible bookings through identified ShopMy links. Other destinations link directly to the provider. No commission percentage, live room rate or reservation is promised here. These selections do not establish a personal sponsorship or hosted stay.

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