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The Fourth of July is almost here, and what better way to celebrate your freedom than with a well-deserved break? This year, escape the backyard with something a little more you. We’ve gathered getaways to suit every style, whether your idea of a relaxing weekend involves succumbing to the after dark scene of Miami Beach, retreating to California for a food- and wine-focused long weekend or taking a dip in a private plunge pool looking out at the turquoise waters of Antigua. Fireworks, indeed… A week away? You’ve got plenty of time!
The Mondrian, Los Angeles.
One of the first hotels to define the Philippe Starck aesthetic, the Mondrian has gone from hectic L.A. hotspot to laid-back Sunset Boulevard classic. The bright minimalist feel of the original Starck design is intact, but since the hotel’s 2008 make-over, it feels a lot warmer, a little more relaxed, but just as chic. While you still might see someone famous at breakfast, it’s more likely to be a leading lady than a supporting actress.

The Betsy Hotel, Miami.
Just steps from the turquoise Miami waters, the Betsy Hotel places you in the unequivocal heart of South Beach, right on Ocean Drive. But the hotel’s quieter-end-of-the-strip location and its upscale, plantationlike design set it slightly apart from all the other hotels. The Betsy looks like a demure Southern Belle set in a sea of flamboyant Art Deco divas.

Donovan House, Washington D.C.
This may be Washington, D.C., but Donovan House isn’t the place to mingle with visiting diplomats or heads of state. In fact, you’re more likely to rub shoulders with young, hip Hill staffers who are at home in the sceney restaurant, Zentan, and the late-night rooftop bar, Above D.C. The edgy decor comes courtesy of urban tastemakers Thompson Hotels, so expect moody interiors with Jetsons-inspired furnishings and cocoonlike bedrooms with leather galore.

The James, New York.
Get a taste of New York’s downtown art scene — from your room. At the brand-new 114-room James Hotel in Soho, guests are surrounded by incredible work from local artists, coddled by eco-friendly amenities and greenery and located at Grand and Thompson, right in the middle of one of New York’s hottest neighborhoods. With credentials like that, it’s no wonder it’s landed on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List.

Hotel Palomar, Philadelphia.
A city largely defined by its architecture and history — from the rows of Georgian homes and 19th-century brick row houses to the towering skyscrapers that make up its jagged skyline — Philadelphia finally has an eco-conscious, art-oriented boutique hotel. This hip Kimpton property is LEED-registered and right off the see-and-be-seen Rittenhouse Square, where couples snuggle up on picnic blankets and designer shops lure the well-heeled.
