Mondrian Los Angeles

As crime and austerity swept through the Big Apple in the early 1970s, New York City’s Mayor John Lindsay took to a podium to declare a “War on Graffiti.” During this time, the city’s subway system was creaking at the seams, barely functioning and covered in graffiti tags from the city’s burgeoning street art scene. Over the coming years, New York City Hall spent an estimated $300 million in an attempt to keep subway trains and stations free of graffiti, forcing artists to work under the cover of darkness while creating ever more elaborate works.

Sun and water—be it ocean or pool—makes the quintessential Spring Break combo. Whether it’s Southern California, Florida or another warm weather staple, a week spent drinking cocktails and rubbing shoulders with beautiful people is the perfect tonic for the winter blues. Covering all the old favorites, we line up nine choice destination hotels for Spring Break.