4 Surprising U.S. Cities With New Luxurious Resorts This Summer

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Tired of the same-o, same-o vacations? Me too.

Right now, many Americans’ favorite beach getaway (Cancun) is blanketed with seaweed, with water reminiscent of the Tijuana River. Not exactly paradise, right?

Problems like these give travelers the chance to open their eyes to new possibilities; that’s when we discover the magic of travel rather than following the crowds to what’s deemed popular on the ‘gram.

You might be surprised to know of 4 U.S. cities with newly opened glamorous resorts that are likely completely off your radar, but that’s definitely to your advantage!

With less hype and far fewer crowds than the household names, you can treat yourself and loved ones to luxurious stays without battling for a poolside lounger this summer.

These are 4 surprising U.S. cities with new luxurious resorts this summer:

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

No matter if you’re a honky-tonker or not, there’s no doubt Dolly Parton is a living legend — so much so she has her own theme park right here in Pigeon Forge.

Dollywood is a draw for many Southerners looking for a fun, family-friendly escape when the kiddos are off for summer, but now there’s a new place to stay a stone’s throw away.

Even a seasoned traveler like me didn’t realize Embassy Suites has resorts, but newly opened Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort is the latest addition to Tennessee’s beautiful mountain getaway tucked away in the Smokies.

The Embassy Suites brand is already known for spacious rooms (hence the name), but this is one is amplified with extra resort amenities such as:

• expansive pools (indoor and outdoor)
• swim-up bar
• complimentary made-to-order breakfast
• rooftop bistro
• fire pits
• free self-parking

One of the first guests posted on TripAdvisor: “From beginning to end, STUNNING!”.

Davis, West Virginia

Anyone have $20 million laying around? Well, somebody did because that’s what’s being reported as the cost for West Virginia’s newest resort.

‘Mountain Mama’ is destined to become a vacation hotspot where you least expect it. One of America’s last frontiers for tourism is ready to boom with a mountain resort that just cut the blue ribbon in May and the hype is trickling down the holler like a Randy Travis song.

Rave reviews are already pouring in for Valley View Cabin Resort, which isn’t your average “resort” per se.

Obviously, West Virginia isn’t a coastal state but like John Denver’s Country Roads ode, the Blue Ridge mountains are so inviting it would seem like a crime not to book a luxe cabin here, therefore Valley View Cabin Resort was born.

Guests can choose between one or two-bedroom cabins in the high mountains of Canaan Valley and you’ll never want to leave with these homey amenities:

• full-size washer and dryer in every cabin
• private cabana with jacuzzi (fits up to 5 people)
• oversized front porch with sweeping views spanning 4 miles
• lightning-fast fiber internet
• smokeless fire pits (firewood included)
• king beds

Pass Christian, Mississippi

Mississippi is on a tear, especially the coast as more hidden gems are being uncovered, such as Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, and yes, Pass Christian.

Perhaps the latter more so than any other since a new resort with posh bungalows recently opened, making the perfect base for what’s become one of America’s trendiest states.

The chic rooms are ready to welcome you, but a report from the Sun Herald claims an Italian restaurant and cheese shop will follow suit.

Pass Bungalows is undeniably the talk of the town right now, described by Visit Mississippi as a ‘unique, micro-community vibe inspired by the charm of historical Pass Christian’.

Guests can book a variety of floorplans, from One-Bedroom Suites to two-bedroom Penthouses, and there are also specific ADA-compliant accommodations.

Sit by the courtyard’s glistening pool decked out with a tiki bar or plan a beach day at nearby Minority Beach with gleaming white sand.

Chula Vista, CA

If you’re booking a vacation in sunny San Diego, you have a new town to check out as Chula Vista is now a bona fide resort town for the first time.

Usually, a pass-through suburb on the way to the Mexico pharmacy runs, you can’t help but notice the towering Gaylord Pacific Resort & Conference Center towering over the blissful marina.

Despite being in a different city, it’s actually one of San Diego County’s most convenient resorts as it’s less than a 10 minute drive from the bustling Gaslamp Quarter and 15 minutes to Balboa Park, home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Those looking to escape the hordes of Arizona tourists this time of year should explore more of San Diego’s South Bay with a charming dupe the Gaslamp in Chula Vista’s Third Avenue and calmer waterfronts than the jam-packed beaches in San Diego proper.

In typical California fashion, don’t expect to score any great deals on rates, but this flashy resort comes with:

• a lazy river
• 4-acre waterpark
• 12 restaurants, including a sports bar a 75-foot tv
• 1,600 rooms (including 89 suites)
• Sweetwater Park with gorgeous bayside sunsets