We are looking for ideas for a long weekend away from the kids. We figure a Thursday morning departure and a Sunday late afternoon/evening arrival back home. Must be in summer - between mid-July and end of August. We live in Chicago and we are planning on flying somewhere.
- Don't want to spend too much time traveling
- Looking for luxury resort with nice pool, hot tub, spa (e.g. a Ritz, Four Seasons, etc.)
- Mostly interested in lounging around pool, but like the idea of having someplace to walk around/shop, don't want to be trapped in the resort
- Since we're getting away from the kids, we don't want to be surrounded by kids
- Budget is not a big issue (I have many air and hotel points)

Current ideas:
- Las Vegas - I know it will be hot and we don't gamble, and not very interested in shows - what about off the strip?
- New Orleans - again, hot
- Key West, or other FL - again, hot
- Caribbean - hard to get to, waste too much time traveling?
- Colorado (e.g. Vail, Aspen) - too cool to lounge by the pool?

Please help!
Thanks

There is a JW Marriott resort just outside of Las Vegas that might be your speed, with nearby golf as a sweetener (if you're interested). It does have a smallish casino, but that's not the main focus. It has excellent spa facilities.

Since you're leaving from an AA hub, your travel options are wide open. Would you be at all interested in Scottsdale AZ? I only know of the Sunburst Resort there, which is considered mid-level but is quite nice. In my area (southern CA), I would recommend La Costa Resort and Spa (Carlsbad), the Surf and Sand (Laguna Beach), the Peninsula (Beverly Hills), or the Hotel Parisi (La Jolla). My first choice (convenience) would be the Surf and Sand-- Laguna Beach is truly charming. But then again, the Parisi is in La Jolla, which is also lovely.

Anyone else?

Thanks for the tip on so-cal, rjw.

Anyone have thoughts on Colorado that time of year?

I'm not sure Colorado is what you're looking for (as great a place as it is). I know some of the Vail hotels (the Marriott) have outdoor pools, and I'm sure places in Aspen do as well. In the middle of the day it'll be warm enough to lounge around the pool, but not in the morning or late afternoon. But lounging around the pool isn't why people go to Colorado; I'd hate to have you go to Vail/Aspen and not experience any of the great outdoors! That being said, in Vail at least (I'm not familiar enough with Aspen to say), many of the hotels are in town, as well as the shuttle bus, and you can easily get around to shop, go to restaurants, etc.

Also, if you consider Aspen and want to limit your flight time, make sure you're comfortable with flying into their airport.

I would skip Las Vegas, New Orleans and especially Florida (way too hot and too many bugs!) The carribbean is a little bit of traveling and prices in the summer drop. But I recommend Colorado, I loved Telluride and stayed at the Peaks Golden Door Spa Resort. Beautiful views and the town of Telluride is incredible, lots of great unique shops and wonderful restaurants. Allreds was quite memorable for the view and the food. Or try the east coast (short flight) and venture to The Greenbriar Spa Resort in Virginia (Just beautiful) Arizona is too hot in the summer but I do recommend the Scottsdale Princess or Sanctuary on Camelback mountain. If you want to just drive, you can check out the American Club in Kohler Wisconsin. Beautiful resort with golf, shopping and wonderful spa and restaurants.

I still have fond memories of a long getaway weekend my husband arranged when our kids were small, at Pinehurst, a classic American resort in North Carolina. Easy flight to Raleigh/Durham from Chicago and the resort will arrange a car to pick you up. Of course they are known for golf and tennis, but there is also a beautiful pool, a little lake with a sugar sand beach, great dining, nice rooms, and the town of Pinehurst in easy walking distance if you feel like antiquing. I particularly remember a bouncy pianist playing "Nothing Could Be Finer Than to be in Carolina in the Morning" at breakfast and it was sure true.

The lounging is grand, the service is wonderful, and it's hot but not too hot (and I am very picky about hot weather!)

Thanks to all.

Looks like I have some more research to do.

Key West is hot, but a wonderful place to visit. I'll be there in mid-June. I'd recommend Ocean Key Resort (get a nice suite overlooking Mallory Square with a huge spa in the bedroom where you can look outside if you wish); Hilton Key West Resort & Marina looks very nice, too; and the Pier House gets some good reviews, too. I live in So. Fla. and did lots of research on Key West for my trip. If you go, stay near Duval Street. The B&B's are very nice, too. You won't need a rental car at all. Stay in the Old Town area and you can walk everywhere. Beautiful sunset cruises, snorkeling trips, and great lounging areas at bars and the pool, or beaches.

Have fun, whatever place you decide on.

We're taking our weekend w/o kids in San Antonio this year, but I highly recommend either Palm Springs or Scotsdale. We've done both in the past and have been very satisfied (even though our home is only an hour from Palm Springs, it was a great getaway). Summer is the off-season for both places so crowds will be light and deals will be great. Yes, it will be hot, but it's a dry heat and there are NO BUGS, and you'll be sitting by the pool anyway. Both areas have lots of great places to eat and shop, and a wide selection of luxury resorts.
The Palm Springs airport is uncrowded and actually a pleasant experience, but if you need to use Ontario it's not that bad either and less than an hour's drive to PS.
You may find that you'll want to return soon, say in the middle of a Chicago winter?