Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Tofino, British Columbia | Wickininnish Inn
North of the 49th parallel, fronting the Pacific Ocean, Tofino enjoys summer temps that hover around 20°C (68°F). There’s a particularly cool phenomenon in August, earning the nickname “Fogust,” where mornings are consistently foggy before eventually burning off midday. Perched on a rocky outcrop right next to a sandy, surfable beach, the Wickaninnish Inn makes lapping up misty mornings and sunny afternoons equally enchanting. Watch the waves over brunch through the wide windows at Pointe Restaurant and spend an afternoon at the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
San Francisco, California | San Francisco Proper
Another cool Pacific Ocean-side spot, San Fran typically sits around 22°C (72°F) through the summer. It’s also known to have different weather in different parts of the city, so if checking out a street festival downtown gets to feel too balmy, try heading to Golden Gate Park. For an equally cool place to stay, choose San Francisco Proper, a Kelly Wearstler-designed property in the emerging Mid-Market area.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Urubamba, Peru | Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley
It’s winter in Peru through July and August, but that doesn’t mean freezing temps. In fact, it’s the best time to do that bucket-list Inca Trail and Machu Picchu trip as the mountain regions are drier. Connecting visitors to those experiences is Rio Sagrado. In the Sacred Valley, where temps can reach 23°C (73°F) during the day, the hotel arranges cultural activities and adventures, such as shaman ceremonies and horseback riding, and has an onsite spa for post-pampering.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Fogo Island, Newfoundland | Fogo Island Inn
On Canada’s rugged Atlantic coast, there’s a tiny isle long been known for fishing and spotting icebergs, but has attracted celebrity visitors more recently. What’s drawing Gwyneth Paltrow, David Letterman and others here? The hotel-come-social enterprise, Fogo Island Inn. Not only is the Todd Saunders-designed structure cool, so is the summer weather, which typically sticks around 20°C (68°F). There are plenty of activities to keep guests busy, but just gazing at waves from the structure’s floor-to-ceiling windows is captivating enough.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Reykjavik, Iceland | Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Given the country’s name, you’d expect it to be cool and that it is, with the warmest month of July sitting between 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F) and occasionally reaching 20°C (68°F). It’s also the driest, least windy time to visit. Here, in the capital, Iceland Parliament Hotel is right next to Alþingi, the national parliament of Iceland and a five-minute walk from Reykjavik Cathedral and Harpa Concert Hall. For those who don’t end up making it out to the Blue Lagoon, the hotel’s spa is a luxurious alternative.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
St Andrews, Scotland | Fairmont St Andrews
Beyond being a bucket-list item, taking to the courses in St Andrews, Scotland, also known as the home of golf, spares players from sweating through their shirts. Here, summer highs typically don’t exceed 19°C (66°F). Putting golfers conveniently close to the links is the Fairmont St Andrews. The property fronts its own two world-class courses, and it’s minutes away from St Andrews Links, where the game has been played since the 15th century.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Cape Town, South Africa | One&Only Cape Town
In the southern hemisphere, Cape Town enjoys July and August highs of 20°C (68°F) and lows of only 12°C (54°F), and there’s no shortage of things to do. Winter here is whale watching season, and prime time for a safari too, if tacking on that experience. One&Only Cape Town is a spectacular place to land, with its staggering views of iconic Table Mountain. There’s also a whole spa island to indulge in and an outpost of Nobu by Michelin-starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Melbourne, Australia | The Lyall Hotel
This is one of the coolest destinations on our list, in more ways than one. Melbourne’s July and August temps hover around 14°C to 16°C (58°F to 61°F) but visitors will stay warm enough by strolling High Street, which TimeOut named the coolest street in the world this year, because of all its “unique, something-for-everyone local businesses.” The South Yarra neighborhood where The Lyall Hotel is located has its own charms, including galleries, cocktail lounges and eclectic bistros. This boutique hotel’s cool, modern design fits right in.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand | Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
The climate in Hawke’s Bay is likened to a Mediterranean one, as it enjoys warmer temps and less rainfall year-round than the rest of New Zealand. In July and August, that means highs of 14°C (58°F) and lows of 5°C (40°F). No matter when one visits, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, they’ll be happy they did. There are 6,000 on-site acres fronting the sea to explore—go wine tasting, tour the Cape Sanctuary, golf, get a spa treatment, or all of the above.
Here’s Where to Go for a Cooler Summer Holiday
Easter Island, Chile | Nayara Hangaroa
Rapa Nui is another world wonder that makes for a cooler holiday. July and August average highs of 21°C (70°F) which makes seeing the open-to-the-elements Moais that much more pleasant. Staying at Nayara Hangaroa, one needn’t worry about much else either—the hotel is all-inclusive and committed to sustainability and regenerative tourism. In fact, the buildings boast innovative natural insulation so there’s no need for air conditioning should a day turn balmier than expected.
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Tofino, British Columbia |Wickininnish Inn
North of the 49th parallel, fronting the Pacific Ocean, Tofino enjoys summer temps that hover around 20°C (68°F). There’s a particularly cool phenomenon in August, earning the nickname “Fogust,” where mornings are consistently foggy before eventually burning off midday. Perched on a rocky outcrop right next to a sandy, surfable beach, the Wickaninnish Inn makes lapping up misty mornings and sunny afternoons equally enchanting. Watch the waves over brunch through the wide windows at Pointe Restaurant and spend an afternoon at the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa.
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San Francisco, California |San Francisco Proper
Another cool Pacific Ocean-side spot, San Fran typically sits around 22°C (72°F) through the summer. It’s also known to have different weather in different parts of the city, so if checking out a street festival downtown gets to feel too balmy, try heading to Golden Gate Park. For an equally cool place to stay, choose San Francisco Proper, a Kelly Wearstler-designed property in the emerging Mid-Market area.
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Urubamba, Peru |Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley
It’s winter in Peru through July and August, but that doesn’t mean freezing temps. In fact, it’s the best time to do that bucket-list Inca Trail and Machu Picchu trip as the mountain regions are drier. Connecting visitors to those experiences is Rio Sagrado. In the Sacred Valley, where temps can reach 23°C (73°F) during the day, the hotel arranges cultural activities and adventures, such as shaman ceremonies and horseback riding, and has an onsite spa for post-pampering.
4 /10
Fogo Island, Newfoundland |Fogo Island Inn
On Canada’s rugged Atlantic coast, there’s a tiny isle long been known for fishing and spotting icebergs, but has attracted celebrity visitors more recently. What’s drawing Gwyneth Paltrow, David Letterman and others here? The hotel-come-social enterprise, Fogo Island Inn. Not only is the Todd Saunders-designed structure cool, so is the summer weather, which typically sticks around 20°C (68°F). There are plenty of activities to keep guests busy, but just gazing at waves from the structure’s floor-to-ceiling windows is captivating enough.
5 /10
Reykjavik, Iceland |Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Given the country’s name, you’d expect it to be cool and that it is, with the warmest month of July sitting between 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F) and occasionally reaching 20°C (68°F). It’s also the driest, least windy time to visit. Here, in the capital, Iceland Parliament Hotel is right next to Alþingi, the national parliament of Iceland and a five-minute walk from Reykjavik Cathedral and Harpa Concert Hall. For those who don’t end up making it out to the Blue Lagoon, the hotel’s spa is a luxurious alternative.
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St Andrews, Scotland |Fairmont St Andrews
Beyond being a bucket-list item, taking to the courses in St Andrews, Scotland, also known as the home of golf, spares players from sweating through their shirts. Here, summer highs typically don’t exceed 19°C (66°F). Putting golfers conveniently close to the links is the Fairmont St Andrews. The property fronts its own two world-class courses, and it’s minutes away from St Andrews Links, where the game has been played since the 15th century.
7 /10
Cape Town, South Africa |One&Only Cape Town
In the southern hemisphere, Cape Town enjoys July and August highs of 20°C (68°F) and lows of only 12°C (54°F), and there’s no shortage of things to do. Winter here is whale watching season, and prime time for a safari too, if tacking on that experience. One&Only Cape Town is a spectacular place to land, with its staggering views of iconic Table Mountain. There’s also a whole spa island to indulge in and an outpost of Nobu by Michelin-starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
8 /10
Melbourne, Australia |The Lyall Hotel
This is one of the coolest destinations on our list, in more ways than one. Melbourne’s July and August temps hover around 14°C to 16°C (58°F to 61°F) but visitors will stay warm enough by strolling High Street, which TimeOut named the coolest street in the world this year, because of all its “unique, something-for-everyone local businesses.” The South Yarra neighborhood where The Lyall Hotel is located has its own charms, including galleries, cocktail lounges and eclectic bistros. This boutique hotel’s cool, modern design fits right in.
9 /10
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand |Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
The climate in Hawke’s Bay is likened to a Mediterranean one, as it enjoys warmer temps and less rainfall year-round than the rest of New Zealand. In July and August, that means highs of 14°C (58°F) and lows of 5°C (40°F). No matter when one visits, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, they’ll be happy they did. There are 6,000 on-site acres fronting the sea to explore—go wine tasting, tour the Cape Sanctuary, golf, get a spa treatment, or all of the above.
10 /10
Easter Island, Chile |Nayara Hangaroa
Rapa Nui is another world wonder that makes for a cooler holiday. July and August average highs of 21°C (70°F) which makes seeing the open-to-the-elements Moais that much more pleasant. Staying at Nayara Hangaroa, one needn’t worry about much else either—the hotel is all-inclusive and committed to sustainability and regenerative tourism. In fact, the buildings boast innovative natural insulation so there’s no need for air conditioning should a day turn balmier than expected.
