Best Luxury Destinations Within 9 Hours of NYC and Where to Stay

What are the Best Luxury Destinations from NYC via Nonstop Flight? Naturally, this is going to be a highly subjective post, both for the destinations and luxury hotels, but since so many of my clients are in the NYC area, I thought this could help spark ideas and conversation when discussing what's reachable and desirable within a non-stop flight of New York.

Puerto Plata (POP), Dominican Republic: 3.5 Hours

Why Go: Sea views, beach, romance, canyoning, kite surfing, hiking, horseback riding, fishing

Where to Stay: Amanera; TravelSort Clients can enjoy Amanera with 4th night free and Virtuoso benefits for travel until Dec. 19, 2018, except for Thanksgiving

St. Barts via St. Martin (SXM): 4 Hours + 1 Hour Ferry

St. Barts isn't directly reachable from NYC, but there are nonstop flights on JetBlue to St. Martin SXM, and from there, it's a 1 hour boat ride to St. Barts, the jewel of the Caribbean.

Why go: Beach, romance, food, sailing, snorkeling, diving

Where to Stay: Eden Rock-St. Barths, Cheval Blanc St.-Barth Isle de France, Hotel Manapany. Note that Eden Rock St. Barths reopens December 22, 2018, and Cheval Blanc St.-Barth hasn't yet announced its reopening date, but it's expected to be late 2018/early 2019.

Los Cabos (SJD), Mexico: 6 Hours

Los Cabos is a seasonal destination, with United's EWR-SJD flight typically operating most Saturdays and Sundays, as well as daily during the winter holiday season.

Why Go: Ocean views, beach, romance, relaxation, golf, snorkeling and diving, fishing, sailing, kayaking

Where to Stay: Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, Montage Los Cabos, The Resort at Pedregal. The Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos is to open in 2019, and Amanvari, Aman's New Resort in Mexico, will open in 2020.

London (LHR): 7 Hours

With so many daily nonstop flights, London is one of the easiest European destinations to get to, although taxes and surcharges are high on award tickets. It's a very walkable city, and one that can be explored again and again. And of course, if you have a kid who's a Harry Potter fan, don't forget to book advance tickets to the Harry Potter Studios where the films were shot.

Why Go: History and culture, British Museum, theater and musicals, nightlife, gardens, shopping

Where to Stay: The Connaught, Four Seasons London at Trinity Square, The Shangri-La at the Shard London, The Milestone. Plus, coming in 2021, The Peninsula London

Also see: Top 7 London Luxury Hotel Offers, Summer 2018

Paris (CDG): 7.5 Hours

Whether you fly Air France Business Class, Delta, AA or a low cost carrier, Paris is a fantastic luxury destination–in fact, it's one of the Best Luxury Hotel Cities in the World.

Why Go: Food, wine, romance, history and culture, gardens, nightlife, shopping

Where to Stay: The Peninsula Paris, Le Bristol, Four Seasons George V Paris, Shangri-La Paris, Le Meurice

Vienna (VIE): 8.5 Hours

Vienna is an overnight flight away, as a nonstop in Austrian Airlines Business Class. Coffee lovers, don't miss capping off a meal with a selection from Austrian's delectable coffee drink menu.

Why Go: History and culture, Belvedere Museum (Gustav Klimt paintings), gardens, dining, concerts

Where to Stay: Park Hyatt Vienna, Hotel Sacher Wien, Hotel Imperial Vienna

Moscow (SVO): 9 Hours

While unfortunately only Aeroflot flies nonstop between NYC and SVO, and there are, at time of writing, no nonstops to DME, Moscow is easy to add on to European trips, with non-stops to London, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Madrid, and of course the high speed Sapsan train to St. Petersburg.

Why Go: History and culture, beautiful Metro stations, dining, nightlife

Where to Stay: Four Seasons Moscow, Ritz-Carlton Moscow, Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow