The elevator doors open and the pulse of Music City below has somehow evolved into this rooftop oasis — whitewashed with an infinity-edge pool, crisp, white daybeds and skyline views, meet The Pool Club, perched on the 14th floor of the Virgin Nashville Hotel on historic Music Row. Bright red and white striped umbrellas harken a big top tent, a reminder that in this city, always be ready for a show — you can just tell something cool is about to happen here.

Hotel Effie was thoughtfully designed and created by its owners to welcome all guests of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to a new hotel experience - one that exemplifies southern hospitality and exceptional service, wrapped in comfortable luxury that feels like coming home.

The quaint town of Covington lies only 45 minutes north of bustling New Orleans, or a nice two-hour drive from Lafayette. And, yet, it feels a world away. Wetlands turn to pine forests, soil to sand, and the pace becomes slow and easy. It’s an ideal getaway, whether for the weekend or a longer vacation. And the best place to call “home port” is the Southern Hotel in the heart of downtown Covington.

The Pontchartrain Hotel is one of those New Orleans establishments locals appreciate for its quirky beauty just as much as out-of-town travelers do. The impressively restored hotel, originally built in the 1920s, is a getaway for guests to experience New Orleans culture at its finest. “There’s a rich history here at the hotel that many people find romantic,” said General Manager Cody Bertone. “Our Garden District location is a nice break from busier parts of town. We have a lot of loyal, repeat guests, but nothing is better than the reaction of first-time guests when they experience our hospitality firsthand.”