As vaccination numbers go up, and Covid-19 cases go down, more travelers are beginning to plan travels for spring and summer. While safety precautions are still in order, travelers feel optimistic as businesses begin to welcome them back, including bars and restaurants in cities known for nightlife, like Miami, New Orleans, Atlantic City and Nashville. If you plan to travel to these 4 legendary nightlife cities reopening post Covid-19, here’s where to stay.
Where To Stay In 4 Legendary Nightlife Cities Reopening Post Covid-19
New Orleans
New Orleans may still look different, especially with the Mardi Gras parades halted this year, but the Crescent City still finds ways to celebrate special moments and traditions (i.e. Yardi Gras!).
Festivals will be in full swing come October 2021, as Jazz Fest moves to the Fall to join other beloved festivals such as French Quarter Fest, and Voodoo Fest. In the meantime, a trip to New Orleans will still be a feast for the senses with food, drink, and cultural experiences everywhere you turn.
Where to Stay: Situated on the edge of the French Quarter, sits The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, residing in the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building on Canal Street. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, the luxury hotel is the perfect place to stay for those looking to mix fun and relaxation in the Big Easy.
Good morning from @RitzCarlton #NewOrleans. Join us today as we celebrate the season of carnival. pic.twitter.com/3d4FTt63bv
— The Ritz-Carlton (@RitzCarlton) February 1, 2016
Stay in one of the newly renovated accommodations, and one can bask in the silence of the hotel’s beautiful courtyard, experience the mysticism of the city with an indigenous spa treatment or listen to nightly jazz with award-winning musician, Jeremy Davenport, in the aptly named Davenport Lounge.
*New for 2021, the hotel will be debuting a complete renovation to its expansive spa, as well as the unveiling of its most luxurious suite yet – The Residence – a true home away from home with unparalleled views of New Orleans.
Nashville
A word to describe Nashville after this year is resilient. After the tornado, the pandemic, and the devastation to downtown on Christmas morning, the city overcame many hardships in 2020 and is looking towards a brighter 2021.
The honky tonks may not be full just quite yet, but the music is playing in Nashville and is ready to welcome visitors this year to enjoy something that many people are missing most after this year – live music.
Where to Stay: Bobby Hotel is an immersion into Nashville’s creative community celebrating country life with urban appeal – from the Rooftop Lounge complete with a vintage Scenicruiser bus to Bobby’s Garage, evoking the signature grit of Printers Alley with an upscale twist. Bobby’s Tavern features locally sourced, globally tinged fare while an alfresco indoor/outdoor café serves local brew with a side of street scene.
Just died and found hotel heaven in Nashville: the Bobby Hotel, complete with a bus at the rooftop pool!#ExploreTN #Travel #Luxury pic.twitter.com/laYCfqUwoN
— Globe Guide (@Globe_Guide) September 3, 2018
Throughout the year, Bobby Hotel has found ways to celebrate local musicians virtually when venues were shuttered through a virtual music series, and in-person as soon as it was safe to do so with performances from local creatives on The Rooftop and in the lobby. Bobby’s Backyard, The Rooftop Lounge’s spring / summer concept, will be back this year with more music to come!
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, The Westin Nashville is just steps away from the excitement of live entertainment, iconic attractions, local culture, and culinary delicacies.
Breathtaking views from the recently finished Westin hotel in downtown Nashville ? pic.twitter.com/VsE4S4SSEZ
— Beautiful Tennessee (@BeautifulTN) November 8, 2016
Standing 27 stories high, the hotel features 456 guest rooms and suites, over 25,000 square feet of flexible meetings and event space, the relaxing Rhapsody Spa featuring a menu of holistic body treatments, signature restaurant Decker and Dyer, and L27, the city’s highest rooftop lounge.
Atlantic City
An iconic East Coast destination, Atlantic City combines a lively beach town with an exhilarating casino metropolis. Stroll the historic boardwalk, try your luck at the slot machines which are now back open, or unwind at the beach when the temperatures start to warm.
Live entertainment has started to slowly reopen in the destination, and New Jersey has just announced that 10% of a 6,000 arena can now host concerts, showing that we’re moving in the right direction to get back to a place of normalcy.
Where to Stay: With the legendary Atlantic City boardwalk as its backdrop, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is the destination’s go-to for entertainment, and is now the first within the city to bring back live stage performances with Motor City Live: The Classic Hits of Motown.
Congratulations to this lucky winner who walked away with a $160K jackpot today!? pic.twitter.com/GCuIdOnFYT
— Hard Rock Atlantic City (@HardRockHCAC) January 12, 2021
Alongside the comeback of live music and entertainment, Hard Rock Atlantic City features endless gaming, multiple fine and casual dining options, a full-service spa, lavish guest rooms and a gaming floor that boast slots, table games, and a dedicated Sportsbook. The resort destination unveiled new and thorough Safe + Sound protocols, which include the requirement of face coverings and temperature scans for all guests and team members upon entering the building.
Miami
It is no secret that Miami Beach is a true celebration of arts and culture with a extensive history that reflects this – from the world famous nightclubs of the 50’s to the rich cultural life of today’s modern South Beach.
Today, Miami continues to be a hub for entertainment and as live music begins to return, the city has offerings for all music-lovers, covering every genre from reggaeton to jazz to funk.
Where to Stay: The Betsy – South Beach: hotel turned Miami’s hottest unofficial jazz club! The Betsy’s unique hospitality model champions the power of community through its dedicated arts, culture, and community program by weaving those brand pillars into the guest experience.
With live music playing seven days a week in the lobby, the property has created one of the top jazz hideaways with the city’s and country’s best performers regularly appearing. The hotel’s LIVE Jazz series is the longest running program of its kind on the beach and champions the diversity of talent in today’s music scene, with featured performers such as David Attelan, Allen C. Paul, Jim Gasior, Tal Cohen, Ryan Ellis, and Wilkie Ferguson. Composing travelers seeking inspiration — look no further as a stay at The Betsy, is music to the ears. More details here.
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Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.