The dogwoods are starting to bloom all around town. You’ve swapped the winter parka for a light fleece. And friends are talking about their getaway plans. This can only mean one thing: It’s almost time for April vacation.
If you aren’t headed anywhere yourself, then watching as others pack swimsuits for the beach or walking shoes for Europe may leave you with a slight case of FOMO. No need for that – not when there are so many cool, glam, and fun things happening right here in Boston. Jump on a few of these plans — with friends, significant others, family, or on your own — and revel in the joys of April vacay.
The ultra-chic rooftop restaurant Contessa is hands-down one of the most gorgeous spots overlooking Back Bay, and with its fresh pastas and seafoods (the tonnato crudo is to die for), it’s also one of the city’s most romantic spots. And it’s located in The Newbury (previously The Taj and The Ritz), among Boston’s most storied and stunning hotels. So if you don’t want the evening to end (and why would you? ) book one of the gorgeous rooms overlooking The Public Garden — which, in case I need remind — is itself revving up with all manner of spring flowers this time of year. Make your plans at thenewburyboston.com.
Kimpton Hotel Marlowe is keeping the vibe of World Health Day going all month long with all kinds of cool programming with a family-friendly fitness theme. Book a staycation in one of the boutique property’s rooms across The Charles, and they’ll outfit you and your whole clan with complimentary kayaks and paddle boards (and take you all down to the canal at The Charles River basin, located next to the hotel). For dry land, they offer bikes and scooters for riding along Memorial Drive and The Esplanade. Even if you all choose never to leave your cushy suite, you can get some activity in by grabbing one of the in-room yoga mats and turning on the telly; the Hotel has partnered with Olympian Nastia Liukin to create original fitness videos. The property is pet-friendly, so the entire family can truly tag along. Make your plans at hotelmarlowe.com.
Lest we forget, Marathon Monday falls during April vacation. And while you don’t have to stay at Hotel AKA Back Bay or be participating in the race to get one of their pasta specials on-site at Precinct Kitchen + Bar (available in all their carbo-loading glory — think tortellini primavera and rigatoni bolognese — on Sunday, April 16 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.), you might want to. Guests at the hotel who are running on Monday get complimentary access to the Yoga for Marathon Runners at Equinox on Sunday at 1 p.m. The special class is designed to prep the mind and body to run a marathon. Make your plans at stayaka.com/hotel-aka-backbay.
Maybe it’s all of those dizzying crystal chandeliers. Maybe it’s the posh yet high-energy vibe. But there’s just nothing else like a night out at Yvonne’s Restaurant & Supper Club. My girlfriends and I love the cocktail-party feel of the place, how great they are at group dining, the glittering serveware, the international sharing plates — and that they serve a mean baked Alaska. It’s the kind of place we go only when we have a whole night to spend really catching up, telling stories, and laughing till our mascara runs. Make your plans at yvonnesboston.com.