Where All the Prettiest Spring Flowers Bloom

Nothing signifies the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C. quite like the blooming of its nearly 3,000 cherry blossom trees—a gift from Tokyo to the United States in 1912. Those staycationing in the capital can enjoy the vibrancy of spring inside too with the Ida McKinley Suite at Riggs Washington DC. Inspired by the wife of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, the blush pink suite reflects Ida’s love of flowers. Chase the magic of the pink blooms with a chauffeured, private guided tour of local landmarks and a cherry blossom picnic box from Silver Lyan, which was recently awarded America’s Best New Cocktail Bar.

In Japanese, there’s a specific word devoted to the act of viewing cherry blossoms—hanami. The transient beauty of the country’s national flower can be observed from Grand Hyatt Tokyo in the heart of Roppongi Hills. The season of sakura hits its fever pitch in April and the scene is especially dramatic at nearby Mohri Garden. A row of 75 cherry trees lines a tranquil walking path, turning the city into a light shade of pink. In celebration of hanami season, the property offers a plethora of sakura sweets from Fiorentina Pastry Boutique.

In the Netherlands, known to many as the “flower shop of the world,” the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is home to 8,000 tulips yearly. Along the city’s Herengracht Canal, the property has the largest private garden in Amsterdam—so magnificent in fact it is a UNESCO World Heritage Garden. Though flowers can be spotted all over the country’s outdoor markets, the best place for peak tulip pageantry is at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, about a half-hour from Amsterdam. The 79-acre garden is the largest flower park in the world, with over 7 million flower bulbs during the season, including 800 varieties of tulip. Crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and lilies add to the garden’s magic.

A desert oasis at the base of California’s majestic Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta Resort & Club welcomes spring with bougainvillea and the desert’s most beautiful wildflowers. Just an hour north on Route 66 is Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve where poppies, the official state flower, form vast carpets of sunshine yellow and orange across the seven miles of walking trails. In fact, the poppy is so prolific across the coastal and inland landscape that at the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle had it embroidered onto her veil in recognition of her California roots. For more picturesque flower chasing to the south, there’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Carlsbad Flower Fields, where 50-acres of enchanting ranunculus flowers bloom.

In 1810, Hotel Endsleigh was specifically built by the Duchess of Bedford on “the prettiest spot in Devon.” It’s a spot tucked away in the lush green rolling hills of some of the most idyllic countryside in all of England with 108 acres of woodland and pristine gardens. Devon’s Arcadian landscape makes it the best place in the country for bluebells. At the property, slopes of wild purple-ish beauties enchant with its sweet scent and characteristic droop, a true belle of the ball.

There’s nothing quite like a mountain morning in the springtime, especially when those mountains are in full bloom. Although known for its slopes and après-ski, Lumière with Inspirato’s hillside trails come alive in the spring with billowing crests of pink, orange and gold. A three-hour drive away is Crested Butte, the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, where alpine sunflowers bloom.

Edelweiss, poppies, gentians, forget-me-nots—there is a handful of storybook flora hikers spot when trekking the Swiss Alps. Perched atop a hillside that overlooks the Swiss countryside, Hotel Villa Honegg has a prime vantage point of the verdant hills and valleys blanketed with flowers. It’s also home to one of the most Insta-famous infinity edge pools in the world.

It may have scorching desert temperatures, but Phoenix’s Paradise Valley has marvelous blooms that withstand the heat–from cactus gardens to desert ironwood trees coated with lavender flowers. At The Hermosa Inn, an explosion of flowers can be found around every corner—framing the brick path to the palm-fringed pool.

Located in the province of Arezzo, the Fineschi Rose Garden is home to the largest private rose garden in the world. Thanks to professor Gianfranco Fineschi’s passion for collecting flowers which began in 1967, the garden is considered a “living museum” with more than 6,500 roses. The uplifting aromas and blissful bubs continue at nearby Borgo Santo Pietro, a charming Tuscan countryside retreat with 13 acres of lavender buzzing with busy bees, sweet-scented jasmine, hydrangeas and roses.