Spin Some Records

Alexa, take a break. We’re going analogue.

In Honolulu, at Wayfinder Waikiki, guests in select rooms can unwind after a day of fun in the sun by spinning vinyl on an in-room record player. The hotel’s ground-floor coffee shop, B-Side Coffee Bar, also plays vinyl records, setting a relaxed playlist while you sip a macadamia nut latte or enjoy fresh Hawaiian pineapple.

Interestingly, record players were never a standard hotel amenity, even when they were at their height of popularity in the ’60s and ’70s, explains tourism expert Dr. Missy Varao, director of the Business and Economics Department at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. But like maps, binoculars, and other analogue types of amenities, they charm travelers.

“These items play on the sensory nostalgia that many Millennial and Gen Z [travelers] are currently seeking, combining a tactile experience with a sense of connection to a past era,” she says. “The idea is often appealing to these travelers, who often prefer analog moments that encourage slower-paced, immersive experiences.”

Toast S’mores

Toast s’mores, then raise a toast with whiskey to your getaway.

At Riverhouse Lodge in Bend, book one of the Riverview Rooms with Firepits and settle in beside a crackling fire beneath starry Oregon skies, with the steady ramble of the Deschutes River in the background. It’s the kind of setting that stirs memories of carefree camping days and the simple ritual of toasting s’mores, with molten chocolate and gooey marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers.

Leaning even further into that nostalgia is the lodge’s new Whiskey + Fire Fridays, which pairs a featured craft whiskey cocktail with fireside s’mores. Guests can gather around the outdoor fire pits at Currents Restaurant and Lounge to sip, snack, and socialize, which is an elevated take on a classic campfire tradition.

Relax Lakeside

Trade screens and tight schedules for crisp mountain air, still water, and the kind of lake escape that feels pulled from childhood summer memories.

At Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, guests can settle into Adirondack-style lodge rooms, cozy cottages, or even camp lakeside, then spend the day chasing simple pleasures outdoors. Paddle a kayak across the glassy waters of Stonewall Jackson Lake, cast a line in one of West Virginia’s top fishing lakes, reeling in largemouth bass, bluegills and more, or cruise across the water in a pontoon with the rolling West Virginia mountains as your backdrop.

Back on shore, hike scenic trails through the surrounding parkland or go for a bike ride, play a leisurely game of disc golf, then wind down by the fire pit outside TJ Muskies Bar & Grill with toasted s’mores under a starry sky.

Play Board Games

For a cozy night in, gather in the lobby, anchored by a marigold-colored Malm fireplace, and pick out a board game to play with family or friends at Wayfinder Newport. The stylish boutique hotel’s collection includes classics like Clue, Sorry!, and Monopoly that brings back the simple pleasure of gathering around a table and getting lost in a little friendly competition.

Wayfinder Newport has plenty more surprises in store, too, from a Burger of the Month Club to local art in the guest rooms, and an outdoor pool lined with punch-colored, vintage-style umbrellas.

Keep the trip down memory lane going by renting a head-turning vintage car (think: A 1962 Ford Thunderbird) from Newport Classic Car Rental, then cruise off for a tour of some of Newport’s gilded mansions.

Visit a Trolley Museum

In Kennebunkport, summer feels delightfully classic. Cruise around town on a vintage-style bike, stop into a candy shop for saltwater taffy, fudge, or other classics, and settle into the kind of seaside rhythm that makes you forget what day it is.

One stop worth adding to your itinerary is the Seashore Trolley Museum, where nostalgia rides on rails. Hop aboard a heritage trolley from the early 1900s for a scenic ride and explore a remarkable collection of lovingly restored streetcars.

Make The Colony Hotel your home base. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the grand oceanfront resort channels timeless summer glamour with its private beach, red-and-white striped umbrellas by the pool, and a garden-like putting green where birds flit around a feeder nearby.

Explore more destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.