I have to stay calm. In the space of 10 minutes not one but two people told me that “winter is coming.” Now I know that Jack Frost took a bite out of much of the country in the last week but I was still in the midst of planning my outing to Central Park to see the fall colors which I heard were now full-blown. If you’ve ever been to New York City in November, you already know that it’s not until the first frost that the park’s colors start to peak.
But who cares about colors? For some of the lucky ones love is in the air as it usually is this time of year as we get ready to start celebrating the holidays. Hint: get away now before the madness. We recently got wind of a few fabulous romantic getaways in New York State that’ll be perfect for perfecting everything but your tan. From the Hamptons to Niagara, this short list of cozy inns will lavish your senses. Indulge in a spa day in the Hudson Valley with your favorite person or nibble on s’mores round a bonfire in the Adirondacks. Before giving in to the fact that indeed “winter is coming”, take advantage of the last of the fall foliage and treat yourself and your partner to a dreamy autumn escape.
Glenmere Mansion, Hudson Valley
Leave the kids behind at Grandma’s and escape to Glenmere Mansion, a beautiful, adults-only country estate located 50 miles outside New York City in Chester, New York. The mansion was built in 1911 in the style of the villas of Tuscany and exudes a lush European feel. Voted the #1 Romantic Hideaway in the World in 2011 by Hideaways International, Glenmere Mansion has two fine dining rooms and a top notch spa, and is surrounded by 150 acres of gardens. If you can pull yourself away from your spacious yet intimate room, the immediate area offers foliage tours, farmers’ markets, and museums.
The Baker House 1650, East Hampton
The Baker House 1650 is a majestic B&B in the Hamptons that’s steeped in history but feels modern, even exuding an almost quaint sensibility. It’s paradoxical I know but hey, that’s New York. Each suite is unique, from the refined, spacious Gardiner suite to the intimate Fithian suite overlooking the beautiful gardens. The newly restored Baker Carriage House sits behind the main house on one private, immaculately landscaped acre and offers larger and even more lavish accommodations. The property has a wonderful spa and is close to East Hampton’s trendy galleries and restaurants, its pristine beaches and manicured golf courses, and some of the best shopping on the entire Eastern seaboard.
Lake Placid Lodge, Adirondacks
For those looking for a real connection with nature, try the award-winning Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks, the only hotel located on the shores of Lake Placid, two-time site of the Winter Olympics. The wood beamed main lodge, with warm fireplaces surrounded by rough-hewn quarried stone, features gorgeous views of the tree-lined lake. Private cabins by the lake provide the perfect setting for an intimate weekend. Adventurous couples can enjoy rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking, while the more laid-back can opt to paddle around the lake in one of the Lodge’s complimentary canoes.
Edward Harris House, Rochester
Since 1896, the Edward Harris House has been a friendly place for relaxation and privacy. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this B&B is a stone’s throw from Manhattan in Rochester, New York. Its prime location allows guests to walk just one block to shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants and the exquisite interior offers sweet seclusion from urban life. The property now also has two year-round cottages in addition to the romantic, French-inspired suites.
Are your ready to activate your GPS app? All of these romantic getaways are close enough to book last minute, especially when everyone else is coming in to the New York City not going out.