5 Inspiring Spots for ‘Bleisure’ Travel

Gone are the days of the 9-to-5 office grind and having to choose between business and leisure travel. Enter: bleisure travel.

What is bleisure travel? Exactly what it sounds like: a getaway that combines both work and play.

One side effect of the global pandemic was an increase in hybrid and fully remote work schedules, which many businesses have adopted for the long term. Bleisure travelers are taking advantage of the added flexibility and choosing to work from around the world.

Almost 10% of business trips can be categorized as bleisure trips, according to Forbes, as freelancers and corporate travelers alike extend their business trips to visit new cities and explore. And nearly 60% of businesses support it.

So, grab the Wi-Fi password and hit the pool. Here are some of the most serene places to work remotely, featuring perks for business travelers and unbeatable views.

Montauk, New York

Located at the tip of Long Island, Montauk is an ideal place for work-life balance. It’s a town where you can hunker down all summer and enjoy the magical cliffside beaches and vast seaside views. There’s never a lack of things to do, from surfing and sailing lessons to visiting the Montauk Point Lighthouse and enjoying the catch of the day at a local restaurant.

Located on Old Montauk Highway, Hartman’s Briney Breezes Beach Resort offers rotating specials for extended stays and a breathtaking view of the ocean. The hotel is within walking distance to the beach and just a few minutes from plenty of dining options.

Nassau, Bahamas

Bahamian island living sounds like something we can all get used to. With the flexibility to work from anywhere, the Bahamas’ extended-stay work visa program BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay), welcomes professionals to trade-in their cubicles for views of stunning aquamarine waters and breathtaking sunsets.

There’s never a dull moment in the vibrant capital of Nassau, offering travelers a lively nightlife, local delicacies and activities galore, such as the Queen’s Staircase, National Art Gallery and The Retreat Garden.

Prepare to be transported to Bahamian Paradise at the AAA Four Diamond Rosewood Baha Mar. Ready for your next work assignment? Sit by the pool with your laptop and take in the ocean views. A workcation from a cabana doesn’t sound bad.

Mexico City, Mexico

In the past few years, Mexico’s capital has become an attractive destination for Americans looking to explore its history, museums, authentic cuisine and neighborhoods.

With incredible views overlooking the avenue of Paseo de la Reforma, the AAA Five Diamond St. Regis Mexico City caters to bleisure travel, offering amenities like conference rooms, a children’s club and 24-hour butler service (so don’t panic if you forget your computer charger).

After the Zoom calls are done, hit the Remède Spa for a restorative treatment or head out to discover Mexico City’s many parks, cantinas and artisan markets. With so much to do and see, a month of remote work is a good amount of time to properly wander through this exuberant city.

Catskills, New York

The Catskills are a hotspot for remote workers. Here you can slow down with serene views of babbling brooks and mountains and enjoy lunch breaks and post-workdays with waterfall hikes, foraging and antiquing.

With so many accommodations available, from traditional rentals to unique treehouse hotels, experiment with something in-between by booking a stay at A Tiny House Resort in Cairo. Just two hours from New York City, the property is set up as a little village, offering Wi-Fi and perks like a food truck, pool, firepits and a mini farm. You can even pet a goat in between work calls!

After your workday is complete, explore nearby towns, like Catskill, Hudson, Woodstock and Phoenicia, all offering local restaurants, shopping and outdoor adventures.

Lisbon, Portugal

Whether you’re in search of Michelin-starred restaurants or street food, luxury shopping or local artisan bargains, Portugal’s capital city has it all. With friendly locals and gorgeous views, it’s a place any remote worker would want to hang their hat (and shingle).

Martinhal Cascais, a resort on the coastline just outside of Lisbon has seen the rise of the bleisure market since COVID-19 hit, often hosting parents with kids in tow looking to stay for extended periods in one of their 12 two-bedroom villas at discounted rates.

The villas are outfitted for longer stays – think kitchens and washer/dryer units, living rooms and gardens – where bleisure travelers can work and the whole family can enjoy the resort’s amenities. They even have a beautiful light-filled conference room for meetings.

Enjoy work breaks by exploring the pristine coastline by bike. You can rent bikes and book guided tours at the hotel.

Book your next trip with AAA.

Do you live the bleisure lifestyle? Tell us in the comments.