Chasing Cherry Blossoms: The Prettiest Places to Stay and See Them

Washington, D.C. might be known for its politics, but every spring, the city gets a whole lot softer—and a whole lot pinker—thanks to cherry blossom season. The National Cherry Blossom Festival, running from March 20 to April 13, 2025, celebrates the stunning bloom with a month of festivities, and the best way to see it all? A stroll around Tidal Basin or a visit to the National Arboretum. For the ultimate cherry blossom experience, make your way to Willard InterContinental Washington D.C., just two blocks from the White House. With its Blossoms and Diplomacy package, you’ll live in luxury while learning about the historic U.S.-Japan bond. Think exclusive tours, food credits, spa treatments and prime cherry blossom views.

New York City’s cherry blossom season is a springtime spectacle that transforms the city’s green spaces into pastel havens. By April, 40,000 trees bloom in hues of fuchsia, ivory and coral, with standout displays along Riverside Park’s Cherry Walk and Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. For something a little different, the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden boast magnificent cherry trees, with the Cherry Esplanade offering a breathtaking bloom. Want to stay in the heart of it all? The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, with its legendary Central Park location, offers the quintessential Manhattan experience. After a day of cherry blossom sightseeing, retreat to this luxurious landmark and take advantage of deep tubs and glass-walled rain showers.

Boston’s winters can be long, but when spring arrives, the city bursts into bloom—especially along the Charles River Esplanade in Back Bay. The cherry trees here, a 1985 gift from Japan, turn the waterfront promenade into a pink-dappled dream, perfect for a kayak ride beneath the blossoms. There’s no official festival, but the scenery speaks for itself. For a perfect cherry blossom season stay, check into Fairmont Copley Plaza, a Boston landmark since 1912. Step through its gilded entrance, down Peacock Alley and into a world of timeless elegance—complete with a resident Black Lab named Cori Copley. After a day of petals and parks, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen awaits with handcrafted cocktails and a well-earned toast to spring.

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Left Photo Credit: Meet Boston, Kyle Klein

Vancouver’s cherry blossom magic started after World War I when Japan gifted 500 cherry trees. Fast forward to today, and 43,000 cherry trees create a pink paradise, from Stanley Park to Mount Pleasant. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, from March 28 to April 23, 2025, celebrates this with everything from guided walks to plein-air painting classes. Don’t miss the Sakura Days Japan Fair, a lively event featuring ikebana, sake tastings and more. For a stylish stay, check into OPUS Vancouver in trendy Yaletown. This boutique gem is the perfect base for cherry blossom season, whether you’re here to see and be seen at hot spot Capo or simply enjoy the blooms.

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Left Photo Credit: Destination Vancouver, Vision Event Photography

Portland doesn’t do ordinary, and neither does its cherry blossom season. Tom McCall Waterfront Park delivers a pink-tinted spectacle every spring, with 100 cherry trees lining the Japanese American Historical Plaza. Over at the Portland Japanese Garden, it’s all about artful arrangement. Blossoms appear like poetry, carefully placed to create postcard-worthy views. Stay long enough, and you might catch a koto performance or an ikebana demonstration. After a day of petal-peeping, rest your feet at the Heathman Hotel, a Portland icon since 1927. With its literary charm and artistic flair, it’s the perfect place to sip a local Pinot and dream of the next bloom-filled adventure.

Paris in spring is practically bursting with romance, and cherry blossom season makes it even more magical. Kanzan trees in the Jardins du Trocadéro frame the Eiffel Tower in a gorgeous, wine-colored display, while the Jardin des Tuileries turns into a pink paradise. For something a little quieter, head to Parc de Sceaux where 150 cherry trees bloom beside a château fit for a fairy tale. And when you’re ready to rest your blossom-filled eyes, check into Sofitel Paris le Faubourg. After a day of bloom-chasing, unwind at the hotel’s Bar du Faubourg or indulge in a meal at Blossom—the name’s a perfect fit for a dining experience as fresh and delightful as the flowers outside.

London has over 2,500 parks and gardens, and come spring, some put on a serious cherry blossom show. From the candyfloss arches of Greenwich Park to the dreamy Cherry Walk in Kew Gardens, the city is spoilt for choice. Over in West London, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, offers front-row access to nature’s spectacle. Perched between Hyde Park’s royal greenery and Knightsbridge’s designer buzz, this five-star retreat oozes heritage and glamour. With three top-tier restaurants—including a two-Michelin-starred gem—and a Japanese izakaya, it’s a feast for the senses. Hyde Park may be better known for tulips and roses, but for cherry blossom season, head next door to Kensington Gardens, where Lancaster Gate and the Albert Memorial bloom in pink perfection.

Spring in Busan arrives early, and with it, a flurry of cherry blossoms that transform the city into a pastel dream. In Haeundae, Dalmajigil Road is the place to be—winding past charming cafés, ocean views and a canopy of pink petals. And near the beach, stroll Moontan Road at sunset, where cherry blossom season glows with the last light of the day. Nestled in this seaside beauty, SIGNIEL BUSAN is the epitome of luxury. Every room boasts a private balcony with sweeping views of Haeundae Beach. Michelin-starred dining, a serene infinity pool and a spa make it the perfect escape after a day of cherry blossom chasing.

In Japanese, there’s a word for viewing cherry blossoms—hanami. Tokyo’s sakura season transforms the city into a pink dreamscape, from picnics in Shinjuku Gyoen to lively gatherings beneath Ueno Park’s 1,000 blooming trees. A stay at Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN places you near prime viewing spots—including its own 10-acre Japanese garden, once home to samurai lords. With 19 cherry tree varieties blooming in succession, the spectacle lingers for weeks. To mark the hotel’s 60th anniversary, the garden will be illuminated at night, celebrating yozakura, the tradition of viewing blossoms after dark. Guests can also take a rickshaw ride past Chidorigafuchi’s draping cherry trees, then return for sakura-themed cocktails.

Kyoto in cherry blossom season is pure magic. The Philosopher’s Path transforms into a tunnel of pink, Okazaki Canal offers dreamy boat rides beneath blooming branches, and Maruyama Park—next to Yasaka Shrine—becomes the city’s hanami hotspot. Its towering weeping cherry tree steals the show, glowing softly under evening lights. For a peaceful moment, slip away to Shinsho-an, a hidden gem beside a Buddhist temple in Okazaki with only four rooms. This intimate retreat embodies Kyoto’s understated elegance, where minimalist design meets centuries-old tradition. Sliding shoji doors, tatami floors and a private garden invite deep tranquility.