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Photo courtesy of Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate in Huntington, New York
From mountain lodges to beachside resorts, these getaways are all an easy drive away from Philadelphia’s Main Line and western suburbs.
In spring, everything’s in bloom—including the impulse to come out of winter hibernation. Here are some of our favorite places for a getaway, all within an easy day’s drive from Philadelphia’s Main Line and western suburbs.
Photo courtesy of Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate in Huntington, New York
Connecticut | Delaware | Maryland | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia | Washington, D.C. | West Virginia
Connecticut
Photo courtesy of the Inn at Stonington in Stonington, Connecticut
Inn at Stonington • Stonington, Connecticut
Drive time: 4 hours, 15 minutes.
Rates: $250-$475.
What’s great: Cheerful, cozy rooms—some with jacuzzi tubs and private balconies—look out onto the harbor, with its fishing, lobstering and pleasure boats. Others offer a view of the picture-perfect New England seafaring village of Stonington Borough. Continental breakfast is included with your stay. A short drive away is Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium, where you’ll find lots of sea life to love and have some close encounters of a different kind with seals, penguins, stingrays, sea lions and a whale that paints. You can even be a trainer for a day.
60 Water St., Stonington, Connecticut, (860) 535-2000.
Delaware
Photo courtesy of the Blue Water House in Lewes, Delaware
The Blue Water House • Lewes, Delaware
Drive time: 2 hours.
Rates: $125-$175 weekdays, $135-$185 weekends (two-night minimum).
What’s great: The colorful façade will make you smile, and the laid-back, beachy atmosphere, whimsically tropical rooms and exceptional service will keep the good feelings going. The oversized rooms have a light, airy feeling. Homemade breakfast is included with your stay. You’re just an easy walk or bike (complimentary ones are available) to historic downtown Lewes and the Delaware Bay beaches.
407 E. Market St., Lewes, Delaware, (302) 645-7832.
Photo courtesy of the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Drive time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.
Rates: $179-$569.
What’s great: This oceanfront hotel is Old World elegant without being stuffy, from its lavish lobby to its rooms furnished with Victorian-era antiques and reproductions to its adults-only key-access Concierge Level. Deluxe suites offer private balconies with ocean views and whirlpool baths for two. A heated indoor/outdoor spa pool is open exclusively to adults in the evenings, with poolside cocktails available. Weekdays, you can rise and shine with instructor-led yoga or tai chi on the beach. Don’t miss Sunday brunch at the onsite Victoria’s restaurant, with its live piano serenade and a water view from every table.
2 Olive Ave. and the Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, (302) 227-7169.
Maryland
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Hotel in Berlin, Maryland
Atlantic Hotel • Berlin, Maryland
Drive time: 3 hours.
Rates: $120-$240 weekdays, $130-$280 weekends.
What’s great: Though the razzle-dazzle of Ocean City is only a few miles away, the charming village of Berlin and its tastefully Victorian centerpiece hotel will sweep you back to another time and a serene state of mind. Romantic movie buffs often ask for the room where Richard Gere stayed while he was in town filming Runaway Bride. Or, for the ultimate in privacy, choose the Gardner’s Cottage. Try to snag a seat on the enclosed front porch of the on-site Drummer’s Café, an Eastern Shore seafood destination for more than a century.
2 N. Main St., Berlin, Maryland, (410) 641-3589.
Photo by Bruce Wilder. Courtesy of the Inn BoonsBoro in Boonsboro, Maryland
Inn BoonsBoro • BoonsBoro, Maryland
Drive time: 3 hours.
Rates: $225-$285 weekdays, $255-$305 weekends.
What’s great: If anyone knows how to set the mood, it’s the queen of romance novelists, Nora Roberts—a.k.a. J.D. Robb. And she just happens to own a sweet little couple’s retreat in Western Maryland where the rooms are named and themed for some of world literature’s most ardent lovers. Named for the main characters in The Thin Man, the Nick and Nora Room is done in 1930s Art Deco. The furnishings in the Elizabeth and Darcy Room—think Pride and Prejudice—look to be from an English country estate. And the whimsical accents in the Titania and Oberon Room reflect the woodland fantasy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A full breakfast is included with your stay.
1 N. Main St., Boonsboro, Maryland, (301) 432-1188.
Photo courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina • Cambridge, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Rates: Starting at $169 weekdays, $179 weekends.
What’s great: Situated on the banks of the Choptank River amid pristine wetlands, this expansive 342-acre resort features 400 guestrooms—many of them recently renovated. Choose from a robust menu of treatments at Sago Spa and Salon, or have a soak in the indoor pool, with duck-under access to a whirlpool outside. In warmer weather, the outdoor infinity pool is just steps from a private beach. Take a swing at River Marsh Golf Club’s 18-hole championship course, or sample the numerous options for exploring the river and bay available at the full-service marina. Regional specialties, fresh seafood and water views are the focus at the resort’s three on-site restaurants.
100 Heron Blvd. (at Route 50), Cambridge, Maryland, (410) 901-1234.
Photo courtesy of Great Oak Manor in Chestertown, Maryland
Great Oak Manor • Chestertown, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours.
Rates: $159-$315 (two-night minimum from mid-April).
What’s great: Built in 1938 in the style of an 18th-century Georgian English country estate home, this Upper Eastern Shore B&B offers a host of amenities, including a private beach on the Chesapeake Bay and complimentary use of bicycles, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Toast your getaway with an evening sherry or port in the Music Room. You can savor your breakfast in the dining room or out on the terrace. Furry friends are also welcome.
10568 Cliff Road, Chestertown, Maryland, (410) 778-5943.
Photo courtesy of Hollerstown Hill Bed & Breakfast in Frederick, Maryland.
Hollerstown Hill Bed & Breakfast • Frederick, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Rates: $139-$149.
What’s great: You’ll get plenty of peace and quiet at this inn, which boasts four guest rooms that are tastefully furnished with antiques and period reproductions to complement the Queen Anne-style architecture. Only a 10-minute walk away, downtown Frederick is the perfect destination for art lovers. Take a walk and keep watch for the numerous public installations—like the trompe l’oeil “Angels in the Architecture” peering down from buildings. Community Bridge is also transformed into a breathtaking work of art with trompe l’oeil images.
4 Clarke Place, Frederick, Maryland, (301) 228-3630.
Photo courtesy of Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, Maryland
Savage River Lodge • Frostburg, Maryland
Drive time: 4 hours.
Rates: $240-$260 (two-night minimum most weekends).
What’s great: Surrounded by more than 700 acres of state forest, this Western Maryland inn is just the place to renew your love affair with Mother Nature. Watching the sunrise from the lodge’s East Porch is a new thrill every day. The accommodations here strike the perfect balance between rustic and luxurious, whether you stay in one of the two-story log cabins or go glamping in a fully decked-out yurt with a central domed skylight for star-gazing. Every morning, a basket of juice and freshly baked muffins is delivered to your door. Some cabins are also pet-friendly. In spring, fly-fishing lessons on the nearby Cassalman River are available.
1600 Mount Aetna Road, Frostburg, Maryland, (301) 689-3200.
Photo courtesy of Five Gables Inn & Spa in St. Michaels, Maryland
Five Gables Inn & Spa • St. Michaels, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.
Rates: $140-$180 double weekdays, $175-$225 weekends.
What’s great: St. Michaels is the ultimate walkable town. Everything from the boats on the bay to the downtown boutiques is only steps away. Right in the middle of it all is this inviting adults-only inn, which is made up of four 19th-century homes. Relax with a treatment at the on-premise Aveda Concept Spa, or take a dip in the indoor pool. Continental breakfast is included. Bikes are provided, should you want to wander to nearby Tilghman Island, Oxford or Easton. Feel free to bring your favorite furry family member.
209 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Maryland, (410) 745-0100.
New Jersey
Photo courtesy of Southern Mansion in Cape May, New Jersey
The Southern Mansion • Cape May, New Jersey
Drive time: 2 hours.
Rates: $169-$299 weekdays, $239-$339 weekends.
What’s great: Park your car and forget it. It’s only a five-minute stroll along the Cape May’s historic streets to get to the beach, boutique shopping and great restaurants. True to Cape May’s personality, this lovingly restored Victorian (circa 1860) is an original, from its intricate crown moldings and gasolier lighting fixtures to its art collection and antique furnishings. The newer wing—with its balconies, verandah and soaring circular staircases—also reflects the era’s grandeur. The complimentary breakfast is a combination of private table and buffet service.
720 Washington St., Cape May, New Jersey, (609) 884-7171.
Photo courtesy of Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey
Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort • Hamburg, New Jersey
Drive time: 3 hours
Rates: $299-$399 weekdays, $319-$419 weekends
What’s great: You may not be able to fly off to a tropical island for the weekend, but you can find the next best thing in the mountains of northwest New Jersey. The Biosphere, a 10,000-square-foot indoor complex at this Adirondack-style resort, features freeform pools, lush foliage and a grotto-like jacuzzi under a retractable roof made from a material that allows for year-round tanning. If golf is your sport, the property has six championship courses. For pure relaxation, there’s also a full-service spa. The onsite white-tablecloth restaurant Latour is known for its impressive wine list.
3 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, New Jersey (844) 205-1857.
New York
Photo courtesy of Glenmere Mansion and Spa in Chester, New York
Glenmere Mansion and Spa • Chester, New York
Drive time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.
Rates: $750-$995.
What’s great: During the Gilded Age, industrialist Robert Goelet used to entertain royalty, illustrious artists and other discerning guests at his lower Hudson Valley country retreat set high on a hilltop overlooking acres of pristine land and a lake. Designed to be reminiscent of the villas of Tuscany and surrounded by Italian-style terraced gardens, the mansion offers a taste of the lavish lifestyle. Rooms and public spaces are decorated with antiques and private-collection art. In addition to a traditional full-service spa, Glenmere features a marble bathhouse and hammam, where cleansing and purifying water treatments from around the world are performed. Afterwards, savor a candlelight dinner at The Supper Room. Full breakfast is included with an overnight stay at the getaway.
634 Pine Hill Road, Chester, New York, (845) 469-1900.
Photo courtesy of Oheka Castle Hotel and Estate in Huntington, New York
Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate • Huntington, New York
Drive time: 2 hours, 40 minutes.
Rates: Chateau and Whitney rooms $395-$495, Gatsby and Fairbanks suites $595-$795.
What’s great: It doesn’t take much imagination to picture the posh 1920s-era parties hosted by the original owner of this majestic French chateau-style Long Island Gold Coast mansion and surrounding formal gardens. This estate was so symbolic of opulent Gilded Age architecture and style that it was used as a backdrop in the cinema classic Citizen Kane. Not surprisingly, dining at the getaway’s intimate restaurant, with its shimmering chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling window views, is also an extraordinary experience. Complimentary continental breakfast is included with your overnight stay.
135 W. Gate Drive, Huntington, New York, (631) 659-1400.
Photo courtesy of The Chatwal in New York, New York
The Chatwal • New York, New York
Drive time: 2 hours.
Rates: $632-$779 weekdays, $565-$755 weekends.
What’s great: If you’d love to score a pair of hard-to-get tickets to that hot Broadway show, the concierge team at this Upper West Side luxury hotel will do everything humanly possible to make it happen. Beforehand, book a service or two at the on-site Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa or take a swim in the indoor lap pool. Get a taste of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s signature style at the Lambs Club on the property. Do you need or want anything else? Just ask your personal butler. And from check-in to check-out at this getaway, Rover will be treated like a “VIPet.”
130 W. 44th St., New York, New York, (212) 764-6200.
Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of Frank Llyod Wright’s Polymath Park in Acme, Pennsylvania
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Polymath Park • Acme, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 4 hours.
Rates: $299-$399 weekdays, $349-$425 weekends.
What’s great: You can tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, but you can’t sleep over. At this nearby complex, you can fully experience what it’s like to live in a house designed either by Wright himself (Duncan House) or long-time apprentice Peter Berndtson (Blum House and Balter House). In keeping with Wright’s signature integration of nature and contemporary design, the three houses have been transported to a lovely wooded area. Stay in the Wright frame of mind while dining at the on-site Treetops restaurant.
187 Evergreen Lane, Acme, Pennsylvania. (877) 833-7829.
Photo courtesy of Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania
Nemacolin • Farmington, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.
Rates: Starting at $159 weekdays, $199 weekends.
What’s great:You won’t find a greater variety of outdoor recreational activities than at this 2,200-acre resort in southwest Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. For golfers, there are 36 holes of Pete Dye-designed courses. To get the adrenalin pumping, try off-road driving, dueling zip lines and the warm-weather version of dog sledding using wheeled carts. Take in the scenery on horseback during a trail ride, or try your hand at fly-fishing. At the end of the day, book a treatment at the spa. Accommodations include three hotels—the palatial The Chateau, inspired by the Ritz Paris, and Falling Rock, the boutique tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright—plus The Lodge, an English Tudor-style.
1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, Pennsylvania. (866) 344-6957.
Photo courtesy of the Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania
The Lodge at Woodloch • Hawley, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Rates: $698-$798 weekdays, $818-$918 weekends (two-night minimum).
What’s great: Whether you’re looking for an active or just plain relaxing getaway, this property, with its beautifully appointed rooms and suites and abundance of indoor and outdoor recreational options (many included with your stay), is the perfect adults-only escape. Set on more than 400 wooded acres in the Pocono Mountains, it has a private 15-acre lake for fishing and kayaking, scenic trails for hiking and biking, fitness and wellness programs, cooking demos, and much more. Three luxurious meals are also included at this getaway.
109 River Birch Lane, Hawley, Pennsylvania, (800) 966-3562.
Photo courtesy of the Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm in Holicong, Pennsylvania
The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm • Holicong, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 1 hour.
Rates: $250-$475.
What’s great: Stop and smell the flowers as you take an easy-going walk on the hundred acres of pasture land and gardens surrounding this Bucks County inn near New Hope and Peddler’s Village. Stay in the 1740s Stone Manor House, the 19th-century Stone Bank Barn or one of the private guest cottages. Playwright George Kauffman hosted many glamorous parties with writers and celebrities as his guests on the property in the middle of the last century—and it’s still a very special place today. Many of the rooms at the getaway have whirlpool tubs, private balconies and wet bars. The décor runs the gamut from Colonial American to Louis XVI era to Asian. Full breakfast is served in the bright and airy Conservatory. Be sure to book dinner at the onsite restaurant, which sources many of its ingredients from local farms.
5281 York Road, Holicong, Pennsylvania, (215) 794-5104.
Photo courtesy of Silverstone Inn & Suites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Silverstone Inn & Suites • Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Rates: $199-$329.
What’s great: You can spend days feathering your nest at Lancaster’s two major shopping outlets. But when it’s time to retire for the night, you want a peaceful place off the beaten path. This accommodation on a 15-acre working sheep farm is only a half-mile from busy Route 30, but if feels far from the hustle and bustle. The gracious mansion, built circa 1750, offers eight guest rooms and suites and the private Butternut Cottage. Most have jacuzzi tubs, and the cottage also has an outdoor hot tub. Breakfast is included with your stay. If you’re lucky, your hosts will prepare Pannekoeken, Dutch-style filled and rolled pancakes, for your morning meal at the getaway.
62 Bowman Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, (717) 290-6987.
Photo courtesy of the French Manor Inn & Spa in South Sterling, Pennsylvania
The French Manor Inn & Spa • South Sterling, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 2 hours.
Rates: $199-$299 weekdays, $245-$410 weekends.
What’s great: Perched high atop Huckleberry Mountain in the northern Poconos, this European-style stone chateau is a great choice for a secluded rendezvous. Stay in the Carriage House, with its English country estate feel, or a room in the Victorian Manor. You can even cuddle in a two-level suite in your own castle turret. The luxury spa suites feature jacuzzi-style tubs and private balconies. Soak your stress away in the indoor saltwater pool or hot tub. Or book a massage or other treatment at the onsite spa. Full breakfast is included with your stay at this getaway. The restaurant serves artful French fare.
50 Huntingdon Drive, South Sterling, Pennsylvania. (570) 676-3244.
Photo courtesy of Bear Mountain Lodge in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Bear Mountain Lodge • Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 4 hours.
Rates: $149-$199.
What’s great: What could be cozier than a cabin tucked away in the forest? The three rooms and one suite at this B&B are woodsy warm and furnished with upscale accents like a whirlpool tub or a private outdoor hot tub. The fridge and pantry are fully stocked with brunch and snack items to take along on your adventures in the great outdoors. Close by is Pennsylvania’s scenic Grand Canyon and the quaint, gaslight-lined Main Street of Wellsboro.
8010 Route 6, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, (570) 724-2428.
Virginia
Photo courtesy of Barehead Manor in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Barehead Manor • Fredericksburg, Virginia
Drive time: 4 hours.
Rates: $175-$195.
What’s great: There’s a lot to love about Fredericksburg, the childhood home of George Washington and a Civil War hot spot. Situated on 26 acres within Fredericksburg Battlefield National Park, this historic manor home, built in 1859, offers three period-furnished guest accommodations. A bountiful breakfast is included. Only five minutes away are numerous historic attractions, making this getaway the perfect stay to learn about the region’s history. Caroline Street in Old Town Fredericksburg is a treasure trove for antiquing fanatics.
123 Lee Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia, (540) 388-0320.
Photo courtesy of Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg, Virginia
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern • Middleburg, Virginia
Drive time: 3 hours.
Rates: Rooms $195-$395, suites $225-$495.
What’s great: Established in 1728, this traditional Virginia Hunt Country inn has a long history of providing the highest level of hospitality. One sniff of the home-baked cookies, and you’ll appreciate the attention to detail at the getaway. The Red Fox is composed of four buildings offering a total of 18 guest rooms. The food at the Tavern sticks to the inn’s historic roots by featuring traditional upscale Southern fare. Breakfast is included with your stay. This is Virginia wine country, so be sure to visit some of the nearby producers for tastings during your getaway.
2 E. Washington St., Middleburg, Virginia, (540) 687-6301.
Photo by Jessica Green Photography. Courtesy of the Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia
Inn at Willow Grove • Orange, Virginia
Drive time: 4 hours.
Rates: $265-$595.
What’s great: Personal butlers take care of everything on this cozy getaway. They’ll come to your door with complimentary beignets and French-press coffee in the morning, and tea and treats in the evening. They’ll also help with an itinerary that must include an exclusive six-hour chauffeured Central Virginia wine country tour. Stay in the stunningly renovated 1778 main Manor House or one of the cottages. A globe-trotting meal is possible with the onsite restaurant’s tapas menu, or you can ask the talented chef to put together a personal tasting.
14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Virginia, (540) 317-1206.
Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy of the Embassy Row Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Embassy Row Hotel • Washington, D.C.
Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Rates: From $339 weekdays, $297 weekends.
What’s great: Murals on the walls and colorful flourishes in the room décor give this recently renovated hotel a vibrant personality for the perfect getaway. Sip a cocktail on the Rooftop Lounge overlooking DuPont Circle and architecturally diverse Embassy Row. Some deluxe rooms also have great views. Fido is welcome at this getaway, too. Leave your car parked and just hop on the nearby metro to do the town without the hassle of parking.
2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., (855) 893-1011.
West Virginia
Photo courtesy of the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Bavarian Inn • Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Drive time: 3 hours.
Rates: Rooms $99-$255, suites $299-$355.
What’s great: Old World European-style architecture gives this collection of chalets situated on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River the look of a traditional Alpine village. Rooms at the getaway have modern amenities like whirlpool tubs; suites have double-size Jacuzzis. The menu at the inn’s Greystone Mansion restaurant features authentic upscale German specialties. Harpers Ferry is nearby for daytime exploring, and there’s plenty of nightlife—including headliner entertainment at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races located only minutes away.
164 Shepherd Grade Road, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, (304) 876-2551.