Your guide to some of the most compelling summer destinations, from effortless island retreats across Asia to scenic European escapes, each paired with exceptional stays across the GHA DISCOVERY collection.
Summer travel rarely looks the same twice. For some, it’s long, sun-drenched days by the sea; for others, it’s time set aside for culture, discovery, or simply slowing down somewhere new.
This feature brings together eight destinations that continue to resonate with travellers worldwide, not just for the season but for what they offer. As a GHA DISCOVERY member, you can get more from every stay, from exclusive Member Rates and earning DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) to enjoying Local Offers and curated Experiences that connect you more deeply with each place.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed island escape, a city break rich in character or something more immersive, each one offers its own distinct way to spend the summer, with exceptional stays designed to elevate every moment.
If you’re looking to truly switch off this summer, Koh Samui makes it easy. The pace here is slower, shaped by calm waters, soft sand and days that unfold without much planning. You might start with a quiet morning by the sea, ease into a long lunch, and end the day watching the light shift across the horizon. It’s the kind of place where doing less feels like the point.
Along Bophut’s shoreline, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort offers a stay that feels rooted in its surroundings, with lush gardens and Thai-inspired design that create a sense of calm from the moment you arrive. If you’re travelling with family or simply prefer a more relaxed rhythm, OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort keeps things easy and comfortable, right by the beach. For something more private, Santiburi Koh Samui opens up into generous villas and quieter stretches of sand, giving you the space to settle in and stay a little longer.
In Koh Samui, luxury feels unforced. It’s in the space you have, the pace you set, and the freedom to spend your time exactly as you like.
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There’s a different rhythm to Bali, one that invites you to slow down and experience each day more intentionally. Time here is often shaped by small, grounding moments, whether it’s the stillness of the early morning or the quiet pull of nature just beyond your doorstep. It’s a destination that lends itself to reflection, balance and a deeper sense of connection.
Tucked into the jungle in Ubud, Capella Ubud, Bali, offers a stay that feels both secluded and immersive, with tented suites hidden among the trees and a setting that draws you closer to the natural world. At Fivelements Retreat Bali, the focus shifts to wellbeing, with plant-based cuisine, healing rituals and experiences rooted in the island’s spiritual traditions. By contrast, The Apurva Kempinski Bali opens out to sweeping ocean views and grand architecture, offering a more expansive resort experience while still grounding you in Bali’s cultural richness.
As the days stretch and the pace softens, Bali leaves you with more than just memories of where you’ve been. It’s a feeling of calm and clarity that stays with you long after you return.
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Kyoto reveals itself gradually. In the hush of a temple garden, along narrow streets lined with wooden townhouses, or in the changing light that marks the passing of the day, the city invites you to slow down and pay attention. Summer here is not about rushing from one sight to the next but about appreciating the details that give Kyoto its enduring sense of place.
Set within the historic Higashiyama district, Capella Kyoto offers a stay that feels deeply connected to its surroundings, where thoughtful design and a strong sense of craftsmanship echo the city’s cultural heritage. Nearby, THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO TOKYU, A Pan Pacific Hotel, places you within easy reach of temples, quiet lanes and local artisan shops, offering a comfortable and well-positioned base for exploring at your own pace.
Kyoto rewards those who take their time. The summer experience here is less about how much you see and more about how fully you take it in.
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Summer in Munich has a way of feeling easy and well-balanced. Mornings can start in a museum or along one of the city’s grand avenues before giving way to long afternoons in shaded beer gardens or by the water. There’s a rhythm to it that feels both cultured and relaxed, with the added appeal of lakes and alpine landscapes just beyond the city.
Right in the heart of it all, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich brings a sense of history and refinement, offering a stay that feels timeless and central to the city’s character. For something more contemporary, NH Collection München Bavaria places you within easy reach of Munich’s key sights, with a clean, modern feel that suits a well-paced city break. A little further out, NH München Unterhaching offers a quieter base with more space to unwind, ideal if you prefer a slower start and the flexibility to explore beyond the centre.
Munich lends itself to a different kind of summer. One where culture, nature, and simple pleasures come together and where each day feels full without ever feeling rushed.
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Light defines Lisbon in the summer. It reflects off tiled facades, spills across hillside viewpoints and lingers well into the evening, giving the city a rhythm that feels both lively and unhurried. You might spend your morning wandering through historic neighbourhoods, pause for a long lunch over fresh seafood, then make your way towards the coast as the day begins to cool.
Set slightly away from the bustle, Corinthia Lisbon offers a more relaxed, full-service retreat, where you can return to calm after a day in the city. Along the iconic Avenida da Liberdade, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa places you at the centre of it all, surrounded by shops, cafés and the steady pulse of Lisbon life. For a more streamlined stay, NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade provides a contemporary base that makes it easy to explore the city from morning through to late evening.
Lisbon has a way of drawing you in without trying too hard. It’s in the warmth of the city, the ease of moving through it, and the feeling that every day naturally finds its own pace.
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From the first glimpse of whitewashed terraces against the caldera to evenings that unfold slowly under a painted sky, Santorini invites you to pause and take it all in. Summer days feel naturally unhurried here, shaped by late starts, long lunches and the simple pull of the view in front of you.
At Andronis Luxury Suites, you wake up to those views right outside your door, with private terraces and infinity pools that make it easy to linger a little longer. Just nearby, Andronis Boutique Hotel offers a more intimate setting, where thoughtful details and a quieter atmosphere let you settle into the rhythm of the island. For something more vibrant, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini brings a contemporary energy, with beachside lounging, music and a social buzz that carries you from day into evening.
Whether you’re marking a special occasion or simply taking time for yourself, Santorini makes each moment feel considered and a little more memorable.
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With warm tropical evenings, lush greenery at its peak and a city that seems to move effortlessly from day to night, summer in Singapore feels vibrant and alive. From the moment you arrive, everything feels thoughtful, from the flow of its streets to the balance between nature, design and dining. You can move seamlessly from garden spaces to world-class restaurants, with just enough spontaneity in between to keep each day engaging.
Right in the heart of Orchard Road, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore stands out with its bold, design-led approach, offering a stay that feels fresh, vibrant and closely connected to the city’s energy. If you’re looking for something more secluded, Capella Singapore offers a quieter retreat on Sentosa, where heritage architecture and tropical surroundings create a sense of calm just minutes from the city centre. For a stay that blends history with modern luxury, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore places you within the civic district, surrounded by culture, dining and some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Singapore works on your terms. Whether you’re here for a few days or longer, it offers the kind of ease, variety and refinement that lets you experience more, without ever feeling rushed.
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Summer brings a different energy to Washington, D.C. The city opens up, with leafy streets, open-air events and long, light-filled evenings that invite you to explore a little further. Mornings might begin with a walk past the monuments before the day warms up, followed by time spent in world-class museums or discovering neighbourhood cafés and galleries at your own pace.
Set in the lively Logan Circle neighbourhood, Viceroy Washington DC offers a contemporary base with a strong sense of style, ideal if you want to stay somewhere that feels connected to the city’s creative side. A short distance away, Riggs Washington DC brings a bold, character-rich experience, set within a historic building that adds a layer of story to your stay. For something more classic, The Dupont Circle places you in one of the city’s most established districts, where tree-lined streets, cultural institutions and a steady local rhythm shape your time in the capital.
Washington, D.C. in summer feels both engaging and easy to navigate. It’s a city where you can move between history, culture and everyday moments without effort and where each day naturally unfolds in its own way.
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