It wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century that bachelorette parties became a pre-wedding tradition. The girls’ night out has become a popular way to celebrate the bride-to-be prior to her wedding.
Hosted by the bridesmaids or friends of the bride, or both, bachelorette parties take many forms – from a simple dinner with the girls to elaborate weekend getaways.
There were 2.1 million marriages in the United States in 2011 (the most recent year that statistics are available); that’s nearly 5,800 weddings each day, according to the U.S. Census. That means there are likely hundreds of thousands of bachelorette parties held annually.
Need some inspiration for where to whisk the bride-to-be off to for her bachelorette getaway? We’ve compiled some options based on personality that may inspire bachelorette getaways or prompt you to book a girlfriend getaway.
For the diva: Party like a rock star in San Diego, California
Those looking to throw an epic bachelorette party should consider the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s Girls on Fire package. The grown-up slumber party in San Diego‘s historic Gaslamp District starts with a VIP Champagne check-in; discount makeovers at BlowPop DryBar; VIP access to the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s two nightclubs, Float and 207; priority booking reservation at the hotel’s Nubo restaurant; a wine and cheese plate; and 20 percent off spa services at the hotel’s Rock Spa. The bride-to-be can ramp up the rowdiness with add-ons like a VIP red carpet arrival; The Sound of Your Stay (an in-room program that provides professional DJ equipment in the room with a party playlist, snack and bottle service); private poolside cabana at the rooftop pool and bar; and hangover help with pure oxygen treatments at Rock Spa.
For the celebrity-obsessed girl: Lights, camera, action in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has served as the backdrop for many famous Hollywood movies: “22 Jump Street,” “Runner, Runner,” “The Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Rum Diary,” and so many more. The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino offers guests a half-day city set tour to snap pictures at movie locations throughout San Juan. The tour includes a clapperboard for the bachelorette and her crew to strike poses for pictures. The package also includes a $30 credit for room service and daily breakfast for two.
For the yogi: Om-azing Madison, Wisconsin
Yogis can enjoy private yoga along the shores of Lake Mendota, a one-hour spa treatment, and discounts on cocktails at The Edgewater in Madison, Wisc., which recently completed a $100-million renovation.
For the party girl: Say “cheers” in The Big Easy
A Girlfriends Getaway at the Loews New Orleans Hotel is equal parts pamper and cocktail-filled fun. The weekend starts off just steps from New Orleans‘ French Quarter with a cocktail and ends with a recovery kit that ensures the bachelorette and her girls leave feeling just fine. The Girlfriends Getaway package includes accommodation and amenities for two including: a two-night stay; signature welcome rum-based cocktail, The Adelaide Swizzle; in-room Martini kit with cocktail shaker, two glasses, Ketel One Vodka and olives; a Recovery Concierge Kit (Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso drink, Fiji Natural Artesian Water, Emergen-C, Burt’s Bees lip balm, KIND Bar and Orbit gum) for each guest; and 3 p.m. check-out.
For the fashionista: Shop ‘til you drop in Chicago, Illinois
Head to the Windy City to Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in the center of Chicago’s downtown Magnificent Mile and iconic Oak Street Beach. The hotel has teamed up with department store Bloomingdale’s to offer the bachelorette and her bridesmaids VIP treatment, including a personal shopper for the group; 15 percent off purchases; complimentary delivery of all purchases to the hotel; and a special gift with purchases of $500 or more.
For the brainiac: Caribbean cultural immersion in Barbados
For brides-to-be who like to learn on the go, explore ancient heritage at Crystal Cove in Barbados. The girls can soak up the sun in addition to the local culture with activities like a Bridgetown Heritage tour (a British colonial old town and former garrison), the chance to learn to play calypso classics on the steel pan and the opportunity to jump in for a game of beachside cricket or road tennis. It would not be a bachelorette party without a celebratory round of drinks that can be enjoyed at the hotel’s swim-up cave bar.
For the adventurous girl: Un-Belize-able thrills in Belize
Boutique tour company Adventure Life offers an adrenaline-fueled bachelorette experience. Adventure Life customizes itineraries like an action packed eight-day bachelorette trip to Belize. The party-of-a-lifetime includes cave swimming in the Barton Creek Cave, zip lining, rappelling, biking, hiking, snorkeling, canoeing in the Rio Macal, a nature walk in the jungle, a visit to Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and ample time to chill on the beach with a refreshing umbrella-adorned drink.
For the girl with the long bucket list: Brag-worthy trip to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru offers a world of adventure and a brag-worthy bachelorette party. Stay at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, located two blocks from the Main Square that was once a 16th century convent, and houses pre-Inca walls and archaeological ruins. Rub elbows with the locals, take photos with their alpacas and explore Machu Picchu, the ancient “Lost City of the Incas” built atop a mountain range 7,972 feet above sea level. Located in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 and was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World in 2007.
For the world traveler: Passport stamp in paradise – Curaçao
For the world traveler who has been everywhere, book a bachelorette getaway to Curaçao to experience Caribbean and Dutch culture. Visit Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the longest continually operational synagogue in the Western hemisphere; marvel at Curaçao’s 16th century architecture; and dive to new depths on SCUBA diving outings. The Lions Dive & Beach Resort is a sporty hotel and ideal spot to explore the Caribbean island while enjoying hotel amenities like a 164-foot swimming pool, the Body Beach Wellness Club and a private beach with a dive shop.
For the social media maven: Bachelorette #selfies in Palm Desert, California
For brides-to-be that are selfie-obsessed, head to Palm Desert, Calif. The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s Indulge Your Selfie package lets ladies capture every memory of the last hoorah with a complimentary Bluetooth Selfie Stick to use at the on-property “selfie spots,” a number of background settings perfect for posing, propping, snapping and posting photos on social media. The package also includes a $50 resort credit (perhaps a new outfit for a selfie from the resort’s shopping selection?). The resort also has other blog-worthy photo-op experiences like sipping avocado margaritas at the poolside bar, dancing at the Costas Lounge and primping with mani-pedis, facials and massages at The Spa at Desert Springs, the largest spa in Southern California. The bachelorette and her friends can also enter a special social media contest sponsored by the hotel to win an upgraded return visit to the property.
For the pampered girl: 24/7 bliss in Fiji
Fiji is the quintessential destination for a pampered bachelorette. The pampering begins the moment the bridal party arrives on the South Pacific Ocean island, with a newly opened Rejuvenation Centre Tourist Transit Lounge located just next to Nadi International Airport and offers massages, haircuts, gym, yoga classes, a bar and a lounge. As is the custom at many resorts, guests are greeted with complimentary foot soaks. The blissful pampering continues at Tokoriki Island Resort with an unlimited spa menu, including three to five days of unlimited massages like the Daku Back Massage, a combination of shiatsu, Swedish and neuromuscular massage techniques.
For the sporty girl: California dreamin’ in Malibu
Blast those last minute calories before the big day by booking a boot camp getaway in Malibu, Calif. Lori Corbin, television food and fitness coach, hosts the Mali-Boot Camp, a boutique half-day adventure. The day begins at 7 a.m. with a scenic 90-minute hike through the Santa Monica Mountains followed by a 90-minute boot camp-style workout. Afterward, unwind with a half-hour of stretching and mobilization drills and then relax with a latte and soak up the ocean view before an hour-long Nutrition and Cooking 101 session.
Main Image: Hard Rock International
