San Antonio

The Canyon Ranch in Miami has a gorgeous rooftop pool with stunning ocean views.

The Canyon Ranch in Miami has a gorgeous rooftop pool with stunning ocean views.

Deciding on a destination for an upcoming trip is never easy. While the beach and mountains may beckon, cities are a great option year-round, offering an array of activities for every type of getaway. After a long day of sight-seeing, however, some may long for those quiet, relaxing moments by the pool that are often easier to come by in non-urban destinations. So we’ve rounded up our favorite urban rooftop pools, so you can find relaxation even in a bustling metropolis. Click through the slideshow and discover some of our favorite hotel rooftop pools.

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The Inn at Palmetto Bluff is a romantic spot in Carolina Lowcountry.

Romance is alive and well below the Mason-Dixon line, where Southern charm makes everything seem more bewitching. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will be satisfied no matter their taste, considering that the region boasts both gorgeous antebellum mansions and modern luxury stays. Choosing the most romantic spots, then, is quite a difficult task, but we think we’re up to the challenge. From intimate city boutiques to sprawling Lowcountry estates, here are some of our favorite hotels in the South that are just the trick in the romance department.

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The IHG Priority Club Rewards is the world’s largest loyalty program and, luckily, one of the easiest to decipher: There are no tiers, no categories, no blackout dates for redeeming points, and points never expire. The rewards program covers all of the brand’s nearly 4,500 hotels worldwide, which include InterContinental Hotels, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Hotel Indigos, Crowne Plazas, Holiday Inns, Holiday Inn Expresses, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites.

But benefits don’t end there — points can also be used for stays at more than 70,000 properties outside the brand, as well as to buy gift cards and to enroll in a myriad of leisure activities, such as hot air balloon rides and golf lessons with a pro. And just like with most other major loyalty programs, members can also earn miles that can be redeemed on over 400 airlines, including most major U.S. carriers (such as Delta and American Airlines), British Airways, Air China, Air France and Aeromexico. Check out some of our favorite hotels in each IHG brand (both luxury and value) and start planning your next trip with all those points you’ve earned!

InterContinental Hong Kong

Luxurious rooms feature 24-hour butler service, and most have harbor views.

Luxurious rooms feature 24-hour butler service, and most have harbor views.

The 590-room InterContinental is one of the most luxurious hotels in Hong Kong, conveniently situated in Kowloon within walking distance of numerous sights. Its claim to fame is that over two-thirds of the rooms have harbor views, but the hotel has plenty else to brag about, including seven dining options (including NOBU and an Alain Ducasse restaurant), a rooftop pool, a top-notch spa, and gorgeous rooms featuring 24-hour butler service. Rooms are decorated with Asian accents — such as tasseled gold and brown bed throws with calligraphy print — and also feature large flat-screen TVs with DVD players, iPod docks, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs.

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We Americans love our coffee. After all, the average adult guzzles around 70 gallons of coffee a year – and spends over $1,000 annually on morning doses of caffeine. While the habit can be hard on your wallet, the health benefits of consuming coffee are numerous: Research shows it can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and heart disease. And particularly for business travelers who need to work through the night and then impress clients the next morning – all while recovering from jet lag – a ready cup of Joe is essential. We’ve found five of the best hotel coffee bars across the states so you can get that jolt you need without having to leave your hotel.

Best Coffee Bar for When You’re Burning the Midnight Oil:

Perks Coffee at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio

Perks Coffee at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio

Perks Coffee at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio

A popular business hotel – with amenities such as a full-service FedEx business center and modern meeting rooms – the Grand Hyatt also features Perks Coffee, a cute coffee-bar-meets-convenience-store. Along with coffee, Perks serves up tasty pastries and prepackaged sandwiches and salads, and best of all, it’s open around the clock so you can work through the night.

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Texas may be the second largest state in the Union, but all of its residents seem to agree on at least one thing — there’s nothing better than kicking off your boots and enjoying some downtime in the Lonestar State. So we’ve traveled all over the state — and found some spots perfect for rest and relaxation. After all, when in Rome Texas! From Dallas to Corpus Christi, there’s a chill place calling your name. But we couldn’t help but start with Austin in honor of the (dreamy) Matthew McConaughey’s nuptials. After all, he is the *king* of chilling out.

The Lakeside Grounds at the Lake Austin Spa Resort

Grounds at the Lake Austin Spa Resort

Grounds at the Lake Austin Spa Resort

Why we love it: Though it looks like McConaughey had no trouble chilling in a hammock pre-ceremony, we’re thinking his guests could have preferred a stay at the romantic Lake Austin Spa Resort — rather than the tents the film star set up for them in his backyard. This waterside retreat, along the shores of Lake Austin, is more than a spa resort — with kayaking, canyon hikes, yoga and “discovery programs,” Lake Austin Spa Resort is a true wellness destination. But if you’re looking to kick back, there’s no better spot than the lush, lakeside grounds. Pick a grassy spot in the shade or head down to the water’s edge for some peace and quiet.

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